Kidnapping suspect pleads not guilty in pursuit that ended in Newport standoff

A man accused of kidnapping his estranged wife and their two sons in Huntington Park before leading police on a freeway chase and then escaping from a standoff in Newport Beach has pleaded not guilty to 17 felony charges.

Thomas Ueno, 35, entered his plea March 23 to charges including kidnapping for carjacking, false imprisonment by violence, false imprisonment of a hostage, violating a domestic-violence restraining order, fleeing an officer while driving recklessly, injuring a spouse, first-degree burglary, possession of a firearm by a felon and carjacking, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

He could face up to life in prison if convicted.

Authorities say Ueno led police on a freeway pursuit Feb. 29 that started in Buena Park and ended with an hours-long standoff on Dover Drive in Newport Beach. Authorities say a woman and two children ages 1 and 6, whom the district attorney’s office described as Ueno’s estranged wife and their sons, were with him in her Hummer SUV throughout the incident, authorities said.

The woman and children walked toward officers after the man ran up a hillside near Castaways Park.

Ueno was arrested the next night in Cerritos.

He is being held in Los Angeles County Jail with bail set at $3.04 million.