The Newington man accused of assaulting his wife, abducting their two kids, then engaging in a seven-hour standoff in downtown Stamford over the weekend is an officer with Connecticut Department of Corrections. That information was revealed as John Lacen-Romero, 36, was arraigned in New Britain Superior Court on Monday on several charges including two-counts of first-degree kidnapping, one count of second-degree strangulation and three counts first-degree unlawful restraint, among other charges.

During court, Lacen-Romero’s attorney said he’s a veteran, and there are mental health concerns. The judge set bond at $2 million and issued protective orders barring Lacen-Romero from contact with his wife and their two sons.

Newington police held a news conference before court and said around 12:10 p.m., they received a call from Lacen-Romero’s wife, who said he took off with their boys after choking her during an argument.

“That resulted in him being able to overpower her. And she had already loaded the children into the car to leave the scene, so he took over control of the vehicle and left the scene with the children,” said Sgt. Matthew D’Esposito, adding that Lacen-Romero had threatened to hurt himself, and police weren't sure if he was armed.

D’Esposito said Newington police put out BOLO alerts statewide and were working on an Amber Alert for the kids, ages 8 and 11, when Lacen-Romero’s car was spotted in Stamford.

Law enforcement in Stamford were given a heads-up that Lacen-Romero could be headed to their city because of family in the area, according to Lt. Douglas Deiso, who said a patrol car spotted the vehicle around 1:40 p.m. and a chase ensued in the city.

“He jumped onto I-95 and then jumped back off at Exit 7. As he was coming through the intersection of Canal Street and North State Street, he rear-ended a vehicle and his vehicle got disabled,” Deiso told News 12.

Deiso said patrol units set up a perimeter and ordered Lacen-Romero out of the vehicle, but he refused, barricading himself in the car and holding his kids hostage, so the Special Response Team and the Hostage Negotiation Team were called in.

“Numerous times through the negotiation process, they were able to get a thumbs up from the kids in the back seat, so we identified that they were in good health at that point, and they weren't at risk,” Deiso explained.

But around 9 p.m., Deiso said the tactical team grew concerned and decided to move in, rescuing the boys safely and taking their father into custody. Deiso said Lacen-Romero sustained minor injuries in the struggle and was taken to the hospital before being turned over to Newington police.

“The citizens of Stamford should be very proud of this police department and have confidence in them. They mitigated this situation,” stated Deiso.

Per protocol, the kids were evaluated at the hospital where they received a visit from some of the officers who worked the standoff, according to Deiso. They’ve been reunited with their mother.

“We told them how proud of them that we were, how strong and courageous they were through this incident,” he told News 12.

Additional charges are pending out of Stamford for the standoff.

Newington police said the department had no records of prior domestic violence incidents between Lacen-Romero and his wife.