Man arrested on multiple charges after chasing stranger with hammer, police say
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IDAHO FALLS – An Idaho Falls man was arrested Sunday night after police say he chased a stranger with a hammer, tried to destroy their car and was found to be drunk driving.
Bradley G. Howe, 66, is charged with multiple counts of felony aggravated assault, one count of misdemeanor DUI and was cited for malicious injury to property.
According to a news release from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call in Ammon that a man was attempting to hit people with a hammer.
The reporting party said a man, later identified as Howe, was parked in his vehicle in the middle of the intersection at 49th South and Thunder Drive.
When the caller stopped to see if he was ok, Howe got out of his vehicle and allegedly chased after them with a hammer in his hand, using it to damage the reporting party’s car as he tried to drive away.
As the person dispatch, deputies say Howe drove toward the caller and attempted to run them off the road but was unsuccessful.
The caller was able to give dispatch Howe’s location, saying he was last seen driving toward 45th East with no headlights on. A deputy soon found Howe turning around in a nearby residence on 45th East, speeding toward him in the oncoming lane, and causing the deputy to swerve off the road to avoid being in a head-on collision.
After the deputy turned around and activated the emergency lights on the police car, Howe stopped and was taken into custody.
Deputies noted that Howe showed signs of intoxication and drug use. He was given a field sobriety test on scene. before being taken to the Bonneville County Jail.
Howe will appear in court this week.