COLCHESTER, Conn — A Colchester man is accused of yelling profanity and a racial slur at a woman and pushing her with a pick axe. He also allegedly threatened to bomb the Connecticut State Police while being processed in custody.
A woman called state police to Harrington Court on Monday afternoon for a report of a disturbance.
The woman told state police she was walking from her home to a local business when she came across Joseph Surwill, 57, whom she was familiar with.
Surwill got out of his home and picked up an axe, the woman told troopers. Surwill allegedly held the axe sideways and pushed the axe handle against the woman's body to push her backward. While doing this, Surwill allegedly yelled at her to get off his property using profanity and a racial slur.
The woman told troopers the business she was walking to was adjacent to Surwill's property, but she had not entered his property.
The woman was not injured but she feared for her safety, according to state police.
Surwill reportedly left the area in a red vehicle before troopers arrived. State police found the axe on the scene and took it for evidence.
Troopers also spoke to a witness who saw the ordeal, and their account was consistent with the woman's complaint, state police said.
Officers later found Surwill at a business on Old Hartford Road, where he was taken into custody. Surwill was not cooperative during processing and while in custody, according to state police; he allegedly verbally threatened to bomb Troop K and kill troopers upon being released.
Surwill was charged with intimidation based on bias, breach of peace, threatening, interfering with an officer and failure to comply with fingerprinting requirements. He was held on a $100,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
The Connecticut State Police Hate Crimes Unit was notified of the incident.
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