Provo officer threatened by knife-wielding man

PROVO — Criminal charges have been field against a man who allegedly threatened a Provo police officer with a knife.

Teodoro Yohalmo Vasquez, 67, was charged Monday in 4th District Court with assault on an officer, a second-degree felony; and violating a protective order, a third-degree felony.

On Thursday, Provo police responded to a home near 300 W. 1600 South on a report of a man violating a protective order, according to charging documents. The officer knocked on the door and a woman "cracked it open then immediately slammed the door shut before the officer had a chance to speak," the charges state.

As the officer was about to knock on the door again, Vasquez opened it while holding a knife. Vasquez's son tried to restrain his father, but he broke free.

"This allowed the officer time to create space and draw his firearm. As the officer backpedaled (Vasquez) advanced holding the knife. The officer gave (Vasquez) several commands to drop the knife, but (Vasquez) ignored those commands. The officer backpedaled through the yard and onto the street," the charges state.

When Vasquez temporarily stopped moving toward the officer, while standing about 20 feet away, the officer grabbed his Taser so he had his gun in one hand and a Taser in the other.

Vasquez began moving toward the officer again and the officer used his Taser, causing Vasquez to fall to the ground, the charges state. Vasquez would not let go of the knife, however, prompting the officer to kick Vasquez in his side, a police booking affidavit states. At that point, Vasquez let go of the knife and was handcuffed by the officer.

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