A 10-year veteran police officer remained in police custody this morning while detectives sort out the events that led to a six-hour standoff and the arrests of the officer and his girlfriend at a Waipio Uka townhouse yesterday morning. Wahiawa cop in custody
but not chargedBy Nelson Daranciang
ndaranciang@starbulletin.comThe 37-year-old officer was being held for investigation of kidnapping and abuse of a household member.
The officer, assigned to the Wahiawa police station, was stripped of his service weapon, badge and police authority, said Police Assistant Chief Henry Lau.
The officer's girlfriend, Juwana Mangca, 48, of Wahiawa, was charged yesterday with contempt of court on an outstanding traffic warrant and abuse of a household member. She was released after posting $1,250 bail.
The standoff began after police received a call at 2:20 a.m. about a domestic argument at 94-1459 Waipio Uka St.
When patrol officers arrived, Mangca was leaving the apartment, Lau said. Mangca reported her boyfriend had assaulted her as she tried to leave, according to the police report. She was taken to Kapiolani Medical Center at Pali Momi for treatment of a wrist injury. As Mangca left, the officers heard what they believe was someone "racking" or arming a firearm, Lau said.
Crisis negotiators and members of the department's Specialized Services Division were called. Police evacuated eight apartments in the complex but they were not able to establish communication with the officer inside. "We believe the phone may have been disconnected, and he did not hear us. We did use a bullhorn earlier. But there was a chopper flying overhead that was making communication very difficult," Lau said.
The officer was arrested when he walked out of his apartment at 8:20 a.m. to go to work.
Lau earlier said the officer reportedly had been drinking the night before and slept through the morning. He was taken to Queen's Medical Center for treatment of injuries he allegedly suffered in a confrontation with his girlfriend.