Montgomery County Police arrested 24-year-old Maikol Darinson Vicente Gomez of Silver Spring for attempting to assault three people with a machete at a White Oak shopping center on Sunday.
On Sunday at approximately 5:42 p.m., Third District officers responded to reports of a man with a machete near Broadbirch Drive and Tech Road.
When officers arrived, the suspect fled through the shopping center parking lot, striking several parked vehicles with the machete. Officers pursued the suspect, and he soon tripped and fell, causing him to drop the weapon.
The officers apprehended him and safely secured the machete.
Officers interviewed three victims who reported that the suspect, identified as Gomez, attempted to attack them with a machete for no apparent reason near the shopping center.
The victims said they could flee from Gomez and reach a safe place.
Gomez was taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit in Rockville and faces several charges, including three counts of first-degree assault, second-degree assault, two counts of vandalism, and resisting arrest.
Gomez is currently being held without bond.
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