Palm Coast man accused of threatening workers with machetes because of “inconvenience” caused by roadblock

PALM COAST, Fla — A 43-year-old man was arrested Wednesday and accused of threatening workers at a stormwater inspection and maintenance company in Palm Coast with a machete.

According to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, workers told officers the man was upset because they were temporarily blocking the road while backing one of their vehicles and had not posted signs.

However, officers said they noticed several signs alerting workers along the road near the intersection of Belle Terre Parkway and Kaywood Place.

The workers told officers the man drove around their construction site, then stopped his truck, got out of the truck and yelled, “I'm going to chop some shit up,” as he walked toward them with a machete toward the worker's office Sheriffs.

Officers said one of the workers told them he feared for his life and ran into a wooded area to avoid the man. Crews also said the man got back into his car and sped away after seeing traffic begin to back up on the road.

Officers found the man about 3 miles away on Zerington Court and said that when questioned he admitted to having several machetes in his truck. Officers also saw a machete on the dashboard.

According to officers, the man told officers he had been stopped by “some people” and he was upset that there was no sign of it. He then got out of his truck and started arguing with them.

The man was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.

“This man threatened several workers with a machete because he was inconvenienced,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “This guy became unhinged when he got out and confronted the workers who were just doing their job. If he had waited patiently, he would not have visited the Green Roof Inn. Take it in hand and be patient. That’s better than getting arrested because you can’t control your anger.”

The sheriff's office said that while he was being transported to the detention center, the man began hitting his head against the partition wall, resulting in a small cut. He was then transported to a hospital where he refused medical treatment.

He was then taken to Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Center and later released on bail.