Man Charged In Drunken Hatchet Assault

HARRISON TWP. (WWJ) - A 27-year-old Harrison Township man is behind bars after police say he was "clearly intoxicated" as he chased his neighbor with a hatchet.

Brett Jones was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon following the confrontation that began when the neighbor arrived home from work, shortly after midnight Monday.

"As he pulled in his driveway, his neighbor from two doors down confronted him, and he was carrying a hatchet at the time," said Macomb County Sheriff's Lt. John Michalke. "As the assailant neared him, he raised the hatchet up, as though he was going to assault him ... There was some drinking involved and probably not some clear thinking, I'd guess."

Michalke said a chase ensured -- on foot and then with each man in his own vehicle.

Michalke explained what had set Jones off.

"What had happened was the suspect was apparently the suspect was drinking at a bar earlier in the evening and somebody had thrown a rock through the windshield of his truck," Michalke said. "He was angry about this. He drove the truck home, just when the neighbor pulled into the driveway, and the suspect took it upon himself to confront the neighbor believing he was the one who had damaged the truck."

The victim said he "had "no idea" what was going on.

No one was hurt.

Jones was arraigned Tuesday in 41B-District Court-Clinton Township and given a $3,000 cash-or-surety bond.  He's being housed in the Macomb County Jail.