Man swings hatchet after being told he was too drunk to get on bus, police say

Man swings hatchet after being told he was too drunk to get on bus, police say

(Brandon Whitworth, KSL TV, File)


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SALT LAKE CITY — A man was arrested Monday after police say he swung a hatchet at another man who told him he was too drunk to get on a Utah Transit Authority bus.

Just before 5 p.m., two men were waiting for a bus at 2250 S. Highland Drive when one man told the other that he probably shouldn't get on the bus because he was inebriated, said Salt Lake police detective Robert Ungricht.

During the ensuing argument, Richard P. Romboy, 36, who is homeless, allegedly took out a hatchet that was attached to a leather sheath on his waistband and swung it at the 51-year-old man. The man was able to wrestle the hatchet away from Romboy and throw it into the middle of the street, then got onto his bus and left, Ungricht said.

When police arrived, Ungricht said Romboy was still "quite inebriated," with his pants hanging around his ankles. He told officers that he swung the hatchet at the other man because he wanted to go to jail, Ungricht said.

The victim was found by police still on the bus and was brought back to the scene to answer questions. No one was injured in the incident.

Romboy, who has a lengthy history with police, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, carrying a dangerous weapon and threatening to use a dangerous weapon while under the influence, in addition to several outstanding warrants.

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