TEMPE, AZ — A man in Tempe has been charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault for attacking his ex-girlfriend with knives and nunchucks.
Tempe police report that on the morning of November 16, they responded to a call at an apartment complex near Rural Road and Apache Boulevard after a woman pounded on a neighbor's door asking for help.
The woman reportedly told police that her ex-boyfriend Tomas Salinas, 51, attacked her after consuming one-liter of vodka. Salinas allegedly dragged the victim from one room to another by her hair, before grabbing a throwing knife from his 10-piece throwing knife kit and holding it to her throat.
According to the police, the woman also saw a noose hanging from the ceiling on a hook. Court records show that Salinas has used the knives, a sword, and nunchucks to attack and threaten the woman in the past.
Salinas remained in the apartment after the victim escaped for about two hours as police and SWAT team members evacuated nearby apartment units.
He eventually surrendered to police. Inside the apartment, investigators reportedly found the throwing knife kit, multiple sets of nunchucks, and a green rope hanging from the ceiling.
If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic or sexual violence, there are several local and national organizations offering resources. Anyone in need of immediate assistance should contact either the Maricopa County Shelter Line at 480-890-3039, the National 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence at 602-279-2900. A number of organizations are available 24 hours a day for anyone at risk of experiencing domestic or sexual violence. See a directory of domestic violence programs here.
