Sword-wielding bicyclist threatened to cut pedestrian in half

A Santa Clara man riding his bike didn't recognize a pedestrian walking in his neighborhood, so he whipped out a sword and threatened to cut him in half, authorities said on Monday. Santa Clara police said they booked 52-year-old Richard Gonzales into county jail on felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threats after they received a rather odd 911 call just after 2 a.m. on Saturday.

When officers arrived in the residential area of the 2000 block of Jackson Court, near City Hall, a man told investigators a bicyclist had threatened him with a sabre sword, Lt. Matt Hogan said. The sabre is known for its long, curved blade and is used in fencing and during military ceremonies.

As officers were interviewing the victim - who was not hurt - he told them Gonzales had threatened to cut him in half. The officers quickly found Gonzales, recovered the sword and arrested him, Hogan said.

"The victim was simply walking down the street," Hogan said. "The suspect made some threatening comment and armed himself with this rather large sword." The victim and Gonzales did not know each other. "It appears to be an unprovoked, random act," Hogan said. "We're very pleased the officers were there hurriedly and there were no injuries."