Elderly Florida landlord allegedly attacked tenant with machete during argument about trash

MIAMI (TCN) -- A landlord was arrested and jailed on suspicion of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after he allegedly attacked a tenant with a machete.

On June 10, officers responded to a residence after receiving a report of a landlord assaulting a tenant with a machete, NBC Miami reports. When they arrived, the victim, whose name has not been released, was bleeding from his arm and trying to stanch the blood flow with a piece of clothing.

The victim alleged he and his landlord, 78-year-old Victor Rodriguez-Polledo, were arguing over items that needed to be thrown away. According to NBC Miami, Rodriguez-Polledo then allegedly said, “What the f--- are you looking at? You’ll see what I have for you” in Spanish and left, returning a few minutes later with a machete. 

Rodriguez-Polledo allegedly swung the weapon at the victim, who was hit in the shoulder area with the blunt back side of the blade. When Rodriguez-Polledo allegedly tried to swing the machete again, the victim grabbed it in self-defense, leading to a deep wrist laceration. His wound was treated at an area hospital. A witness who reportedly attempted to intervene was also cut; WPLG reports they declined treatment for their injury. 

Police reportedly retrieved a blood-covered machete from behind the property and kept it as evidence, per WPLG.

NBC Miami reports Rodriguez-Polledo was detained at the scene and ordered held without bond at his arraignment the following day. Law & Crime reports Rodriguez-Polledo gave a statement to police, but it was redacted from the affidavit.

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