A man in Nebraska who was reportedly angry about the rising cost of utilities was arrested last month after allegedly using a lightsaber replica to hit his neighbor and her child.
According to reports, on April 28, a man who lives in an apartment complex in Auburn became upset when he learned his rent was about to go up and reportedly became convinced that the increase was the fault of a woman and her youngster who live in the same building.
Around 8:30 pm, a 37-year-old woman was outside her unit watching while her daughter was playing outside with other children, and she noticed her neighbor standing nearby. The man allegedly returned to his residence and came out carrying a look-alike Star Wars lightsaber estimated to be 3.5 feet long. He reportedly walked up to the kids and hit the woman’s 7-year-old with the toy. According to the police report, the woman heard the young girl crying and asked her neighbor if he had hurt her daughter. He allegedly told her to go back inside because he was “not in the mood” before hitting the woman with the lightsaber.
When the police arrived, the girl and her mom said they each felt pain in the places where they were reportedly hit. They spoke with the suspect, and it was reported that he told them that because the woman leaves the heat on in her apartment, he will have to pay more rent. He also allegedly said he did hit them with the lightsaber and wanted to tell the woman he was sorry.
The man was taken into custody and booked into the Nemaha County Jail. He is facing preliminary charges of two counts of felony assault in the second degree, and he was held in lieu of a $50,000 bond.
The police noted that the man had previous outbursts and “is on the autism spectrum with additional issues.”
If you or someone you love is suspected of an assault or battery offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.