Suspect subdued by Yuma K-9 officer charged with four felonies, misdemeanor

Still wearing bandages on his left arm where he was bitten by a Yuma K-9 officer, the suspect arrested in a domestic violence disturbance this week was arraigned in Yuma Justice Court.

Jorge Pena, 34, of Yuma, was charged with four felonies and one misdemeanor in connection to the domestic violence disturbance, which happened at a residence located in the 9500 block of East 35th Street, and resulted in a five-hour stand-off with Yuma police.

In addition to the misdemeanor count of threatening and intimidating, Pena was also charged with four felonies, which are possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct per domestic violence, unlawful imprisonment per domestic violence and possession of dangerous drugs.

Pena had spent the past three days in custody at Yuma Regional Medical Center, where he was treated for his wounds.

He was arraigned before Justice of the Peace pro tem Yolonda Torok, who ordered his bond to be set at $100,000.

His next court date will be a preliminary hearing, scheduled for Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. The judge also assigned the court's Conflict Administrator's Office to appoint an attorney for Pena, who said he could not afford to hire his own.

According to Yuma police, officers responded to the residence just after midnight on Monday. However, Pena, had fled the scene before they arrived.

Then at 1:23 a.m., the victim again called 911 and said Pena, armed with a knife, had returned to the residence and was again threatening them. The victims, an adult and two children, locked themselves in a room and officers were able to evacuate them through a window.

YPD's Special Enforcement and Hostage Negotiations Team responded to the scene and attempted to get Pena to surrender, which he refused to do.

Throughout the night Pena refused to come out of the residence or comply with officer's verbal commands.

Finally, at about 6 a.m., members of the Special Enforcement Team, aided by a Patrol K-9 unit, entered the residence and located Pena. He was subdued by the canine and sustained injuries on his left forearm. He was arrested and taken into custody by Yuma police. No injuries were sustained by any party other than Pena during the event.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.