Alleged kidnapper arraigned

COEUR d'ALENE - Douglas Standish pleaded not guilty Monday in Kootenai County District Court to charges stemming from an alleged November kidnapping incident.

Standish, 49, is being charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, burglary and battery. The prosecuting attorney told Judge Fred Gibler that they would be seeking additional charges of stalking and intimidating a witness as well.

On Nov. 4, Standish allegedly kidnapped his former girlfriend at gunpoint and held her against her will for several hours. When the woman asked Standish to take her to a downtown Coeur d'Alene office so she could drop off paperwork, he complied.

The two arrived at the office and the woman got out of the car. Standish then drove away in her vehicle.

On Nov. 10, Coeur d'Alene Police Department detectives on the F dock of The Coeur d'Alene Resort marina and noticed that the cover on a 34-foot boat was open. As they approached the boat, the owner stepped out and said, "He's right here." Standish walked out behind the owner and was arrested without incident.

Detectives learned that Standish had been in the boat the night prior and jumped into the lake in order to avoid being seen by Coeur d'Alene Resort security guards doing rounds.

Standish also told detectives that for a portion of his time as a fugitive, he was at The Resort Aviation pilot lounge and was using its computers to send emails.

According to law enforcement, Standish is familiar with aircraft and airports and went undetected while in the lounge.

Gibler set a pre-trial conference date for May 23. A scheduled week-and-a-half jury trial is set to begin on May 27.