MARION COUNTY, Fla. – An Ocala man armed with an axe was arrested after a “car wash conflict” over the weekend, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
In a release, deputies said the incident was reported on Sunday around 8:30 p.m. at the Tidal Wave Auto Spa along Southwest 95th Street Road.
Upon arrival, though, they said they found the suspect — identified as Bryce Thayer, 36 — being restrained by the 18-year-old victim.
“Thayer was taken into custody, and the investigation revealed that he had approached two employees at the car wash as they were closing,” the release reads. “He was told to leave the property, at which time Thayer became irate and approached the two victims in a threatening manner while wielding an axe.”
However, the victim lunged at Thayer to disarm him, ultimately bringing him to the ground, deputies added. Meanwhile, the second victim managed to remove the axe from Thayer’s grip.
“The victim restrained Thayer until deputies arrived,” the release continues. “The victim restrained Thayer until deputies arrived. He was placed under arrest, and a search revealed he was in possession of drug paraphernalia.”
Thayer now faces charges of possessing drug paraphernalia and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. He is held on bond of $65,000.
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