A Jensen Beach, Florida, man is facing charges after he allegedly threatened another man with a samurai sword on Friday.
Steven Randall Solstad, 29, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlicensed carrying of a concealed weapon.
Key West Police Department officers responded to the intersection of Truman Avenue and Duval Street around 7 a.m., after receiving a report that a suspect had threatened another man with a machete. Officers met with the victim, who pointed out the suspect.
The victim stated he saw Solstad, who he’s encountered before, sleeping on a piece of cardboard. The victim said he didn’t approach Solstad, but as he was leaving, Solstad got up and started screaming at him.
According to the victim, Solstad produced an item from behind his back, which the victim initially thought to be a gun.
As the victim left, Solstad raised the item and began to chase the victim saying “I will kill you.” At this point, the victim identified the weapon as a machete.
Officers then met with Solstad, who gave a different accounting of the events. Solstad said he was sleeping when the victim woke him up by “yelling hysterically” at him and issuing a number of insults. After the victim left, Solstad stated he noticed his phone, which had been charging next to him, was missing. Believing the victim had stolen it, Solstad chased after him.
Officers then pointed out that the victim reported Solstad having a machete, and Solstad pointed to a long object wrapped in cloth. Officers removed the item from its coverings and realized it was a 2-foot samurai sword. Solstad stated he bought the sword for $20.
Due to the circumstances, officers arrested Solstad and transported him to the Monroe County Detention Center, where he was being held on a $10,000 bond.
Information in the Crime Report is obtained from reports provided by area law enforcement agencies.
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