Kent Police arrested a domestic violence suspect last week after about two hours of negotiations at an apartment where he was inside a bedroom with one of the victim’s children, according to the Kent Police Department.
The child left the apartment unharmed before the suspect came out and surrendered.
Police had been searching for the man since the previous week, when his girlfriend reported that he had stolen her car. She also told officers he had grabbed her neck during an argument the day before, leaving her unable to breathe.
Officers responding to the initial call learned that a recently issued court order prohibited the man from contacting the woman and had been served on him.
The woman told officers the man had taken her phone and car keys during the argument, then left with her vehicle the following day. Officers observed injuries that supported her account.
Police searched locations associated with the suspect but could not find him or the vehicle that night. Officers offered the woman options for leaving and connected her with Project Be Free for services.
On Tuesday this week, a Kent field training officer and his partner spotted the stolen vehicle near the apartment while on routine patrol. They contacted the woman, who confirmed the suspect was inside her apartment.
Officers learned he was in a bedroom with one of her children. They escorted the woman and her other child out of the apartment and requested a warrant from a judge to enter and search for him.
Other officers tried to communicate with the suspect through public address announcements. When he did not engage, officers became concerned that the child was being held hostage and called a hostage negotiator.
The child came out after about two hours of negotiations. The suspect later left the apartment on his own and was arrested without further incident.
The department listed the offenses as second degree assault, residential burglary involving domestic violence, a felony court order violation and second degree taking a motor vehicle without permission. Detectives followed up to ensure appropriate charges were filed.
The department shared the account in recognition of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and encouraged people experiencing domestic violence to seek help.
“We will come, make appropriate arrests, and will connect you to resources to help you beyond the moments of fear,” the department said.
Kent police urged victims and witnesses to call 911. The department said people in Kent can also text 911 when making an audible call would be dangerous. Witnesses concerned about someone’s safety can request a welfare check through 911 or the law enforcement agency serving that person’s location.
Police also listed the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799 7233, available around the clock, and the Domestic Abuse Women’s Network as resources for support and advocacy. The department noted that people can call 988 at any time to speak with a trained call receiver.
