After the difficult arrest on Thursday evening, the suspect pleaded not guilty

Wrangell police said they experienced a difficult arrest Thursday night when a man wanted in Washington state resisted arrest. The police department received a call from the Stikine Inn, a local restaurant and hotel, around 7:30 p.m. Thursday about a man causing a disturbance.

Officers found 43-year-old William Nakamura at the J&W restaurant. Police learned he had warrants out of Washington for fleeing and assault with a deadly weapon. When they tried to arrest him, police say Nakamura resisted arrest and bit Officer Cody Paul on the finger. He also kicked another officer and tried to take a firearm from one of them.

According to police, an officer used a taser on the man after he made several attempts to handcuff him while he continuously spat at the two officers. They eventually pinned the man to the ground while they waited for backup. After additional officers arrived on the scene, they handcuffed Nakamura.

An ambulance took Nakamura to a local hospital for minor injuries and observation. Police then took him to Wrangell Prison, where he allegedly kicked Sergeant Nick Pierson at the police station.

For this reason, according to police, Nakamura was held in a restraint chair to restrict his movements.

Suspect will likely be transferred to another community jail

Wrangell Police Chief Gene Meek said Nakamura had a hearing this morning.

“He was tried and pleaded not guilty to all charges,” Meek said. “They will delay his return to Washington to process the original warrants until his charges are resolved here in the state of Alaska.”

Meek said Nakamura has a second hearing in 10 days but will likely be transferred to another prison before then.

“Paperwork is being processed to transfer him out of Wrangell because there could be violence between him and officers,” he said.

Nakamura has two arrest warrants, one count of assault for attempting to take an officer's gun, one count of assault for biting an officer, one count of assault for kicking an officer, and three counts of harassment for spitting at officers and resisting arrest.

The incident is still under investigation.