Scranton mechanic chased customer with machete, police said

Joseph Kohut, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·1 min read

Aug. 4—A mechanic at a South Scranton auto repair shop chased after a customer with a machete Tuesday after a fight over recent vehicle work.

Charles Almonte-Arias, 35, 1806 Cedar Ave., Scranton, denied he menaced Robert Mitchell with a blade during a confrontation at Cedar Auto Repair, according to a criminal complaint. He said he grabbed a piece of wood once Mitchell became irate and threatened to punch him in the face.

Mitchell denied he threatened to hit Almonte-Arias, police said. Mitchell and his girlfriend, Brandee Ervin, said Almonte-Arias grabbed a machete with a black handle and chased Mitchell around.

Ervin said Almonte-Arias put the blade in an office after he chased Mitchell. Management allowed police into the office, where authorities found a black-handled machete.

There were no injuries reported.

Almonte-Arias is charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment. He is free on $5,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Aug. 16.

Contact the writer:

jkohut@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9100, x5187;

@jkohutTT on Twitter.