KENT, Wash. — A man was arrested after a domestic violence investigation led to a roughly two-hour negotiation at a Kent apartment, according to the Kent Police Department.
Police said the investigation began last week when a woman called 911 to report that her boyfriend had stolen her vehicle. Officers determined the man had recently been served with an order prohibiting him from contacting the woman.
The woman told police the two had argued the previous day and that the man took her phone and car keys and grabbed her around the neck to the point she could not breathe. Police said the woman had injuries that corroborated her account.
Officers searched for the man and the vehicle but could not find either that night.
On Tuesday, officers on patrol located the woman’s vehicle back in the area where police said the assaults occurred. The woman told officers the man was inside her apartment with one of her children.
Police removed the woman and her other child from the apartment and began seeking a warrant to enter and search for the man.
Officers attempted to communicate with the man using PA announcements but became concerned about the child still inside the apartment and called in a hostage negotiator, according to police.
After about two hours of negotiations, the child came out of the apartment unharmed. Police said the man eventually came out on his own and was arrested without further incident.
Police said his alleged offenses include second-degree assault, residential burglary involving domestic violence, felony violation of a court order, and second-degree taking a motor vehicle without permission.