Bail set for alleged knife-wielder

John F. Ober could be tried as a habitual offender

A man who was arrested by a SWAT team Saturday after allegedly threatening two people with a knife before hiding in the attic of a Coeur d’Alene apartment complex is being held in Kootenai County jail on $50,000 bail.

John F. Ober, 57, told a Coeur d’Alene judge on Monday in First District Court that he didn’t understand the charges against him.

Ober is charged with two counts of aggravated battery, one count of domestic battery, one count of possession of a controlled substance, and one count of bringing contraband into a jail. He has two prior felony convictions.

At Ober’s first appearance, Magistrate James Stow told Ober the latest charges tip him into the habitual offender category, resulting in an enhanced sentence of up to life in prison if he is convicted.

After listening to the judge, Ober, dressed in the red jail garb of high security inmates, laid his head, face down, on the defendant’s table.

Stow asked several times if Ober understood the charges until Ober said he understood what the charges meant, not why he was being charged.

Ober was arrested about noon Saturday after a SWAT unit shot tear gas into the attic of an apartment on the 1200 block of Emma Avenue where Ober was holed up.

The surrounding area, including two blocks of Northwest Boulevard, was blocked until about 1 p.m.

Police responded earlier that day — about 4:30 a.m. — to a domestic violence report at the West Emma apartments, where witnesses said Ober had attacked them with a knife.

Justin D. Salamina, 26, who was at an apartment with Ober and his wife, told police an argument ensued and Ober became violent, swinging a knife at his wife — and Salamina.

Salamina told police he had been stabbed multiple times, but in reality he suffered a cut on a finger after attempting to protect himself with a hatchet, police said.

Ober’s wife suffered bruises after being struck with the butt of the knife, police said.

Salamina told police Ober had shown Salamina several pipe bombs he had made in his kitchen, according to a report.

Ober fled before police arrived, but later re-entered the apartment and barricaded himself in the attic, Sgt. Jared Reneau said.

“Officers received information that John possibly had an automatic rifle and explosives with him,” Reneau said.

Nearby apartments were evacuated and Spokane County’s bomb squad was called to the scene.

Ober’s wife and Salamina were treated by medical personnel on scene, police said. Police also seized drugs and paraphernalia in the apartment, according to a report.

Public defenders on Monday asked for a lower bail for Ober, and agreed to a no-contact order between the victims and Ober.

Ober told Stow he may need to contact his wife because of a child custody issue between the couple.

Ober’s preliminary hearing will be within 14 days.