A 42-year-old Maricopa man faces a slew of criminal charges after cops said he wielded a machete and threatened to take his family members hostage.
Police said in a probable cause statement Shaun Benally was arrested Saturday at a West Warren Lane home. Inside the home were four adult relatives and children aged 6 and younger.
When officers tried to enter the home, Benally clenched the machete to his chest, blocking the door and said, “Don’t open nothing ‘cause if you do, I’ll hold somebody hostage right here. I’ll run to the nearest person.”
He refused to allow anyone to leave or enter the home, according to the police report.
Officers then entered the house through a bedroom window and rescued family members who had barricaded themselves out of fear. Family members told police Benally was paranoid and hallucinating.
Maricopa police booked Benally into the Pinal County jail on charges of unlawful imprisonment, threatening and intimidating, and disorderly conduct.
These felony charges carry up to six years in prison and more than $7,000 in fines.
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