Man strikes neighbor with a hatchet

PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A man was arrested for allegedly attacking a neighbor with a hatchet after a heated argument Friday night.

A 51-year-old man is being charged with striking his 44-year-old male neighbor with a hatchet in the back of the head.
 
The Van Buren County Sheriff's Department responded at 11:06 p.m. to an assault call in the 26000 block of County Road 388 in Pine Grove Township.

Deputies said the suspect and victim were drinking alcohol at the suspect's home when a heated argument ensued. The argument turned physical, and when the victim tried to leave, the suspect picked up a hatchet and struck the victim with the blunt portion of the object. The victim was able to make it home and called police.

The victim suffered a large laceration on the top of his head, but the injury is not life-threatening. The victim was treated at the scene by an ambulance crew and transported to Allegan General Hospital for further treatment.

Police obtained a phone number for the suspect who was still in his home. They called the suspect and convinced him to come outside and talk with them. The suspect came out of the home and was arrested on an felonious assault with a dangerous weapon charge.