Nelson Police intercepted an altercation after receiving multiple calls from concerned citizens regarding a man wielding a chainsaw on Saturday, April 12.
Upon arrival, officers instructed the man to drop the chainsaw, which he did without hesitation.
After speaking with all involved parties, police determined that the altercation stemmed from a dispute over a bicycle.
The man with the chainsaw stated that he had borrowed it from his mother for landscaping work and claimed the other individual had approached him with a knife, prompting him to start the saw in self-defence.
However, a search of the second individual revealed that he was only holding a black pen, and witnesses confirmed that the chainsaw had been briefly turned on but was not brandished in a threatening manner.
“This was a concerning incident and fortunately no one was injured in the altercation,” says Special Constable Edwards.
Both individuals agreed to keep the peace and declined to press charges.
“We appreciate the vigilance of the public in reporting this incident, which allowed for a swift police response before the situation could escalate,” Edwards added.
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