A Port Angeles man was arrested early Monday morning after a standoff that included a trained negotiator, an armored vehicle and powdered pepper spray.
Josiah Matthew Curry, 37, of Port Angeles was being held in Clallam County Jail for investigation of third-degree malicious mischief, second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment and interfering with the reporting of domestic violence.
At about 9 a.m. Sunday, police received a report of a domestic disturbance near 10th and D streets during which a suspect allegedly assaulted the victim, according to a Port Angeles Police Department news release.
The victim told police the attack occurred Saturday night and that she was pinned to the floor, punched several times in the face and briefly strangled, the release stated. Then the suspect took the victim’s phone and prevented her from leaving for about three hours.
Officers obtained a search warrant about 3 p.m. to search the suspect’s residence and arrest him for domestic violence crimes of second-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment, according to the news release.
When officers tried serving the warrant about 3:30 p.m., the suspect barricaded himself inside. Trained negotiators tried unsuccessfully for eight hours to get him to surrender.
An armored vehicle from Jefferson County known as a “mine-resistant ambush protected” (MRAP) vehicle was used to flatten a portion of fence that had a locked gate that couldn’t be opened. That allowed arresting officers to enter the front yard where they planned to arrest the suspect.
At about midnight, officers threw and launched powdered pepper spray — which is dry and easier to clean up than pepper spray — into the house, and that resulted in the Curry’s surrender at the front door about 12:15 a.m. Monday.
Curry was evaluated by medics and taken to jail.
The prosecuting attorney’s office is reviewing the case for potential charges.