CLIFTON — Police hostage negotiators were able to talk two armed men into giving themselves up without incident after a three-hour standoff on Thomas Street in Clifton on Tuesday.

Police initially responded to the house at 2:45 p.m. when the sister of one of the men reported she was beaten by the two who were looking for money to buy drugs.

The 42-year-old victim told police she was beaten and thrown down the front steps of the home by her brother John Kelly, 39, of Thomas Street and his friend Kevin Kaye, 36, of Franklin. She also warned police that the two had access to guns, rifles and ammunition in the house, said detective Capt. Robert Rowan.

The 12-man Clifton Tactical Response and Negotiation Team responded to the scene under the direction of detective Lt. Richard Berdnik and surrounded the house. Residents were kept away from the house as a precaution while detective Sgt. William Gibson negotiated with the two men. Gibson, who was familiar with Kelly due to past criminal encounters, continued negotiations and after two hours Kaye surrendered and exited the house, Rowan said.

Kaye told the officers that Kelly had a rifle in the house and had said he was going to "shoot and kill a few cops" and then had asked Kaye to shoot and kill him. Kaye told the officers that he had taken the rifle when Kelly was unaware and had removed the ammunition, Rowan said.

Gibson continued to negotiate with Kelly, finally talking him into surrendering after about an hour.

"We’re glad to have brought this incident to a conclusion without any shots fired or anyone killed or injured," Rowan said.

Kelly was charged to St. Mary’s Crisis Unit for evaluation after he was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and for having four outstanding arrest warrants.

Kaye was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and released due to his cooperation with police during the incident.