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Police: Mesa man swings 'long bladed' sword at relative during argument

Posted at 2:15 PM, Sep 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-28 17:15:25-04

Mesa police arrested a man accused of swinging a sword at a relative during an argument outside an apartment complex.

Mesa police say 37-year-old Roger Dale Hughes was outside an apartment complex on September 20 near Country Club Drive and McKellips Road, when he engaged in an argument with his step-daughter. The woman's husband reportedly stepped in and told Hughes to leave.

Neighbors told police that Hughes pulled what appeared to be a "long bladed" sword from a baby trailer attached to a bicycle.

They say Hughes swung the sword at the man several times, but he was able to move out of the way, taking refuge in a friend's vehicle until Hughes gave up and left. 

Police say Hughes was located and arrested the next day. In talking with police Hughes allegedly told them that he didn't own a sword and it was a bicycle pump that he used as he tried to strike the victim, claiming it was done in self-defense.

Another family member confirmed to police that Hughes did indeed own a sword, but did not see him swing it at the victim.

Hughes has been charged with aggravated assault.