Armed Man Holds Wife Hostage in Puna
Police have arrested a man from Eden Roc for allegedly threatening family members with a firearm, and holding his wife hostage.
Responding to a call just before 9 a.m. today, officers arrived to find that 55 year-old Jeffrey K. Canabantan had barricaded himself in a house on Ahi Avenue, and was unwilling to surrender voluntarily.
The police department’s Special Response Team tactical unit was dispatched to the scene. Authorities found that a 35-year-old relative had managed to exit the house. She informed police that Canabantan was preventing his wife from leaving the structure and was armed with multiple weapons.
Negotiations ensued, and Canabantan surrendered to police without incident. A 55 year-old woman was found unharmed inside.
Special Response Team officers arrested Canabantan at 3:45 p.m. He was being held in the Hilo police cell block while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section and Juvenile Aid Section continue to work the case.
The Juvenile Aid detectives were involved because the case involved a domestic violence investigation.
The incident has been classified as a first-degree unlawful imprisonment and first-degree terroristic threatening.