Man arrested after hostage situation

A SWAT team removed an armed man from his estranged wife’s home in Lewiston on Saturday after the man allegedly held her hostage, Capt. Allan Sharp of the Lewiston Police Department said.

The man, 42, is in custody at the Nez Perce County Jail on charges of kidnapping, rape and burglary.

Lewiston police were called to an 11th Street address at 10:40 a.m. to check on a 40-year-old resident who could not be contacted by her family.

Police said a family member saw a vehicle belonging to the estranged husband parked outside the home, despite a court order that prohibited the man from being at the residence. Sharp said officers were also told that the man had previously threatened to kill his wife and himself.

Officers checked the residence, found signs of forced entry, then entered. Inside they saw a disconnected telephone and other items out of place. After the man ordered police to leave, they called the Special Weapons and Tactics team.

The team entered the home at 4 p.m., Sharp said, and found the man and woman in a basement bedroom. Police found three weapons next to the man. Sharp said police forced the man to the floor. Police believe he broke into the house at about 12:20 a.m. Saturday.