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Kona domestic 07-18-08 (posted 07-21-08)

Hawaii Police Department
Kona Patrol Section
Lieutenant Jeremie Evangelista
Phone: 326-4646
July 18, 2008
Report No. C08022063

Media Release

Big Island police initiated multiple criminal investigations stemming from a domestic dispute at a home on Alahou Street in Kailua-Kona.

At about 5:30 p.m. Friday (July 18), Kona patrol officers responded to a call from a woman who informed officers that her husband had held a knife to her throat. The woman reported that she was involved in an argument with her husband, 42-year-old Dennis Serbu. She reported that during the argument, Serbu choked her and then held a knife to her throat and threatened her. According to the victim, Serbu also allegedly prevented her from calling 911 for help by taking the phone away from her as she tried to place the call. The woman was able to flee the area on foot and make the call to 911 from another location.

While on scene, officers learned that Serbu had gone back into the house and was still inside.

When officers attempted to contact Serbu, they received no response. Patrol officers called the Hawaii Police Department’s Special Response Team and Crisis Negotiation Team for assistance in apprehending Serbu, who was believed to be armed with a knife. At about 9:30 p.m., Serbu was spotted outside the house and was taken into custody without further incident.

At 10:45 p.m., police charged Serbu with terroristic threatening, abuse of a family/household member and interfering with reporting an emergency or crime. His bail was set at $4,100. He is being held in the Kona police station cellblock.