An Ark City man was arrested Tuesday after, police say, he brandished a large bread knife and attempted to fight with his mother’s boyfriend.
John Popchoke was booked into the Cowley County Jail and could face charges of aggravated assault, aggravated weapons violation, battery, disorderly conduct and criminal threat. His bond was set at $8,250.
Around 3:10 p.m., officers went to the 900 block of N. Fifth following a 911 hangup call. Police spoke with a man, John Popchoke, who told them he had been involved in a verbal argument that did not escalate beyond the exchange of words.
But another person involved in the altercation arrived to tell officers the incident was more than an argument.
Police said Popchoke walked out of his home to find his mother approaching the residence. He is said to have become angry when he discovered his mother’s boyfriend was with her.
That’s when Popchoke is accused of running to his porch to grab a knife. He ran toward his mother, who was blocking the only exit to the street from Popchoke’s yard.
Popchoke is accused of threatening to fight the man and nearly struck his mother as he waved the knife around, according to a report from police. He made several attempts to make his way past his mother and toward her boyfriend.
Eventually, Popchoke’s aunt came outside and calmed the suspect.