PORT HUENEME : Man Held After Police Standoff Is Called Loner

A Port Hueneme man accused of holding his wife hostage and keeping Oxnard’s SWAT team at bay for nearly four hours was described by neighbors as a loner who often had loud arguments with his wife.

Gregory Coates, 47, a former employee of the Cleveland, Ohio, Sheriff’s Department, was arrested about 11:30 p.m. Monday after he had threatened to kill police officers, his wife and himself, authorities said.

Coates, who told neighbors he was on disability leave, had lived with his wife in the complex for nearly eight years.

Police had been called several times in the last two years to the couple’s condominium by neighbors who had been disturbed by the couple’s fights.

“I heard them all the time getting into fights,” said a neighbor who did not want to be identified. “Over the last four months their fights have been more prominent.”

Coates’ psychiatrist called police about 6:15 p.m., saying Coates was armed and could start shooting at any moment.

About 10 p.m., authorities spoke on the phone to Coates’ wife, Donna, who managed to escape the condominium 15 minutes later.

An hour later, the SWAT team entered the apartment and arrested Coates while he slept in one of the condominium’s two bedrooms.

Coates was taken to Ventura County Jail, where he was held in lieu of $2,000 bail.

Police found three rifles, a handgun and a police scanner in the condominium.