A car-theft suspect surrendered to police in Kaneohe last night after a standoff that lasted nearly five and a half hours.

Police say the incident started on Christmas Day when a 51-year-old woman reported her car was stolen at about 9:30 p.m.

Police said the suspect returned to the scene as an officer was taking the woman’s statement and fled.

The 40-year-old man, who has no local address, returned again at 3:45 p.m. yesterday.

Police said the man refused to surrender and the SWAT team was called to the scene. He was finally arrested at 8:10 p.m. on Lamaula Road.