Machete-Wielding Man Charged After Attempted Attacks In MoCo: Police

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — A Silver Spring man is facing charges after police said he tried to assault three random people with a machete.

Maikol Darinson Vicente Gomez, 24, was arrested following the Sunday incident and charged with three counts of first- and second-degree assault, two counts of vandalism, resisting arrest and related charges, Montgomery County police said in a statement.

According to police, officers responded to the area of Broadbirch Drive and Tech Road shortly before 5:45 p.m. after receiving a call about a man armed with a machete.

When officers arrived, police said Gomez fled through the parking lot of the shopping center and struck parked vehicles with the machete. He was taken into custody by police following a brief chase.

Officers spoke with three victims who told them Gomez attempted to assault them with the machete for no apparent reason. According to police, the victims were able to get away from Gomez and escape to a safe location.

Gomez is currently being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.