Prunedale man arrested for wielding chainsaw, attacking housemate

A Prunedale man was arrested for using a chainsaw to break into a residence, Sunday. According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s office, 64-year-old Clay Brown, threatened a woman while holding a chainsaw, that was off, to her neck.

That woman was his housemate and considered him a friend, but things took a dark turn Sunday morning.

“He held the chainsaw close to him as it was running, and I looked at him and I had tears in my eyes,” Kristine Aschebrock said.

According to Aschebrock, Brown came into her room and said he was looking for something he had lost or was stolen from him. She said she didn’t know what he was talking about, but a few hours later, Brown came back and stood over her with the chainsaw in hand.

“And stated that I better watch out, and next thing I know I heard the chainsaw going and the door was being cut,” Aschebrock said.

Aschebrock showed us the gash on her neck that she says Brown left.

“I was shaking like a leaf,” Aschebrock said.

The woman suffered a non life-threatening cut to her neck. Brown faces felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats and burglary.

Deputies took the 64-year-old into custody that day.

Prunedale residents tell KION Brown was a local tree trimmer.

“Initially those charges were attempted murder, burglary and criminal threats. All of them felonies. [Tuesday] Mr. Brown went to arraignment and his charges have been changed to burglary, criminal threats and assault with a deadly weapon,” Sgt. Ivan Rodriguez said.

The confrontation came as a complete shock to Aschebrock, who says she has never seen him act violently.

“He’s a very genuine, true honest-nature person, but some of the people he’s discussed have really say pissed him off,” Aschebrock said.

The Prunedale man owns a local tree trimming business and neighbors, and those on Facebook were also stunned. One writing, “I am speechless to hear this has happened.”

Brown remains at the Monterey County Jail, his bail is set at more than a million dollars.