Irvine man pleads not guilty to threatening wife

A man accused of hiding in his estranged wife’s Irvine bedroom and threatening her with a knife pleaded not guilty to charges in court Friday, according to jail records.

Danny Jose Urena, 27, of Irvine, was arrested after police responded to a call of possible domestic violence in the 300 block of Topeka about 2 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Irvine Police Department.

Urena allegedly hid in his wife’s bedroom closet while she was away. When she returned with someone, Urena allegedly threatened them with a butcher knife, police said.

Urena reportedly struck his estranged wife before fleeing, police said. He was arrested in another part of Irvine and booked on suspicion of felony burglary, felony criminal threats, misdemeanor brandishing a weapon and misdemeanor domestic battery.

He faces charges of felony burglary, felony criminal threats, felony assault with a deadly weapon, misdemeanor battery against cohabitant and misdemeanor petty theft, along with a sentencing enhancement for allegedly using a dangerous or deadly weapon. His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30