Court records show that on June 22 a man, upset at a couple for flying their drone, unsheathed his homemade hatchet and chased them through a Tempe golf course.
Tempe police report that 54-year-old David Russell Leroux was in the area of the Rio Salado Golf Course near McClintock Drive and Curry Road and was upset with the couple after they flew a drone.
The victims told police that Leroux took the cover off of a hatchet, nearly two feet long, and chased them. He reportedly came within a foot of the male victim as he swung the hatchet.
Leroux then allegedly used the hatchet to smash the $1,500 drone breaking its propeller and lens cover.
Police caught Leroux in the nearby Big Surf parking lot. They also found the hatchet, which police say had a wooden handle and a six inch blade.
Leroux reportedly accused the couple of trying to hit him with the drone. Leroux has been charged with aggravated assault, criminal damage, and threatening with injury.
