Durham Police: Man Held Girlfriend Hostage

A man held his girlfriend hostage for more than an hour Saturday afternoon in an apartment on Mathison Street, according to Durham police.

Posted 9:42 p.m. Aug 25, 2007 — Updated 12:24 a.m. Aug 26, 2007

DURHAM, N.C. — A man held his girlfriend hostage for more than an hour Saturday afternoon in an apartment on Mathison Street, according to Durham police.

The woman sustained minor injuries, authorities said. The man was taken to Duke University Hospital for a mental health evaluation.

Officers said they were called to the 1500 block of Mathison Street at 3:39 p.m. by one of the man’s relatives. Officers said they were told that a man had a knife to his girlfriend’s throat and refused to allow her to leave.

When officers arrived, they found a note on the apartment door warning them not to enter the apartment.

Officers evacuated neighbors and attempted to talk to the man with little success, police said. When officers heard the female scream at about 4:30 p.m., they tried to kick in the door.

The man then cracked open the door, and officers forced their way inside the apartment and took him into custody.

Police have not released any names, and no charges were filed as of 8:30 p.m. Saturday. The case was still under investigation.

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