Man threatens ex-girlfriend with knife, throws TV
The man had traveled from Kentucky to visit the victim.
Published Oct. 8, 2010
A domestic dispute led to the arrest of a man on two felony charges and four misdemeanors Oct. 3 at 2404 Calder Court.
23-year-old Charles J. Townsend is charged with armed criminal action, deceiving a law enforcement officer, second-degree domestic assault, second-degree property damage, felony stealing and unlawful use of a weapon.
The crime took place Sunday afternoon at the home of the victim, Townsend’s 23-year-old ex-girlfriend, Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Jill Wieneke said.
Police received a 911 call about a disturbance with a knife. After police arrived, the victim, who had been staying with a friend, returned to the house and described what happened.
Townsend reportedly traveled from Kentucky to visit the victim and their daughter and appeared upset upon arrival. He later became enraged and threatened to kill everyone in the house with a knife, Wieneke said.
The suspect proceeded to argue with the victim and, at one instant, pointed a knife at her from one to two feet away.
Wieneke said Townsend then told the victim she was crazy, grabbed a television located in the house and threw it at her.
“She was able to avoid getting hit by the TV because she jumped out of the way,” Wieneke said. “However, a piece did hit her in the leg.”
Evidence against the suspect includes photos of the damaged television and other property in the home, as well as the victim’s injuries.
Upon returning to the household with police, the woman reported to police that Townsend had stolen her credit card.
Officers received a thorough description of the suspect and later found Townsend talking with two other people outside of the Columbia Regency Mobile Home Park, said Wieneke. The fence between Southridge and the mobile home park is a frequent escape route for criminals, Wienke said.
“The sergeant didn’t alert Townsend that he knew who he was,” Wieneke said. “He was very nonchalant, and then once another officer showed up they took Townsend into custody.”
The suspect reportedly lied about his identity when police first questioned him but cooperated afterward.
Townsend remained in the Boone County Jail overnight while bonds were set. It is unclear right now how long the case will remain open.
“Domestic cases, depending on how motivated someone is to make a plea agreement, can be settled in three months or drag on for a year, especially a case like this which has felonies involved,” Wieneke said. “It can be a pretty long process.”