Hatchet assault leads to arrest

A 23-year-old man was arrested after threatening a resident with a hatchet around 6 a.m. Thursday in the 600 block of B Street, reported the sheriff’s department.

The incident began when a Ramona resident in that area heard what sounded like someone banging on his house and went outside to check, said Sgt. Kurt Torsak of the Ramona substation in a news release. The suspect, later identified as Devin Jones, confronted the homeowner and an argument ensued between the two, Torsak said.

“A nearby neighbor heard the loud argument and warned he would call the police if it continued,” the sergeant stated.

The suspect charged the neighbor with a hatchet, said Torsak.

“Fearing for his life, the neighbor ran to his truck and locked himself inside. Jones struck the driver’s side door with the hatchet while screaming profanities. Jones fled the area on foot with the hatchet just before deputies arrived,” the sergeant said.

Jones was located, subdued and booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspected charges of assault with a deadly weapon, felony vandalism, threatening a witness, theft, and for being under the influence of a controlled substance, according to the report.

No one was injured but deputies discovered extensive damage to the homeowner’s air conditioning unit, the side of the house and the entry door to the garage that appeared to have been caused by a hatchet, said Torsak.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the sheriff’s department non-emergency line at 858-565-5200. Callers can remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.