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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Man Arrested After Threatening To Cut His Boss With Machete

From Staff Reports

Police arrested an 18-year-old Post Falls man Wednesday after he threatened to cut up his boss with a machete, according to officers.

Wade J. Isbell, an employee at Unitech Composites Inc., was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault at about 3 a.m., said Detective Dick Halligan.

Steven E. Moser, 25, of Coeur d’Alene told police that Isbell had threatened him with a 20-inch machete late Tuesday night.

Moser supervises Isbell at the Hayden manufacturing company.

On Tuesday, Moser warned Isbell that his work had to improve or he would be fired, the detective said.

After work, Moser and another supervisor caught a ride with Isbell and another employee named Robert E. Olsen, Halligan said. As they were driving home, Moser and Isbell began to argue.

Isbell ordered Moser and his friend out of the car at the corner of Greensferry Road and Seltice Way, Halligan said.

Isbell got out with a long machete in his hand. “I’m gonna cut you up,” Isbell told Moser, according to police reports.

Moser told police that as he backed up, the suspect came toward him with the machete. Isbell hit his boss on the back of the head - not with the machete - but with his free hand, the detective said.

Isbell and Olsen then drove away. Police later arrested both men at their Post Falls apartment after finding the machete in a car parked outside, Halligan said.

Olsen, 18, was arrested on a charge of obstructing a police officer. He later posted bond and was released from jail. Isbell is being held at the Kootenai County Jail on $10,000 bail. , DataTimes