Police say man jumped from behind tree and threatened victims with knife
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IDAHO FALLS — Authorities arrested a man Wednesday night after he reportedly jumped from behind a tree on the Idaho Falls Greenbelt Riverwalk and threatened victims with a knife.
The Idaho Falls Police Department was called to Memorial Drive and Broadway Street around 10:40 pm., according to a department news release. Officers determined the man, later identified as Justin Breeden, 34, of Bakersfield, California, had chased four people with a knife after jumping out of the bushes.
The four victims told officers they were on scooters along the trail at Riverside Drive when Breeden jumped from a tree and pushed one of them. Words were exchanged before they continued down the Greenbelt to Memorial. As the group kept moving along, they realized Breeden was following them while making threats, according to police.
“The victims reported that when they confronted the man about following them, the man drew a knife,” the news release reads. According to victims and a witness in the area, the man lunged at the group and made statements that he would kill them while holding the knife.”
A bystander called 911 and spotted Breeden running towards Capital Avenue. Police found him there holding a knife in his right hand, according to officers.
The first officer got out of his patrol car with his gun drawn, demanding Breeden drop the knife. At first, he refused and held the knife up as he moved around.
Additional officers arrived prompting Breeden to drop the knife, but he then refused to lay on the ground. Officers tried to make sure the man had no other weapons. Breeden is reported to have told officers to shoot him or use a Taser.
An officer snuck behind Breeden while other officers distracted him. The officer tackled Breeden where they arrested him. He was then booked into the Bonneville County Jail.
Breeden is charged with four felony counts of aggravated assault, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor resisting arrest. He is expected to make an initial appearance on those charges Thursday afternoon.
Although Breeden is charged with crimes it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.