Louisville Metro Police arrested Zachary Bailey on Saturday after officers say he broke into a home and chased one of its residents with a weapon resembling a medieval flail. Court documents accuse him of threatening to kill the homeowner inside. He’s now being held ahead of his first court date, WAVE3 reported.
Officers were called around 5 p.m. June 13 after a report that an intruder was inside the house, chasing a resident and carrying what was described as a baseball bat. When they arrived, both homeowners were outside. They said he was still inside.
Court documents allege the intruder forced his way in through a back door, first breaking a window and kicking the door open. Once inside, he threatened to kill the male homeowner. He was armed as he did so, police said.
Police described the weapon as a mini bat fitted with a metal, spiked ball on a chain. Its chained, swinging head gave it the look of a flail. The caller who first reported it had described only a baseball bat.
The Chase and Arrest
Police say the man chased the homeowner out of the house, swinging the weapon as he went. He then went back inside before leaving again through the front entrance. Officers detained him there.
They recovered it inside the home, near the front door. Investigators said the suspect also had the homeowner’s personal property in his pockets. He was taken into custody at the scene.
Bailey was booked into the Louisville jail, where his bond was set at $50,000 in cash. He is charged with first-degree burglary and first-degree wanton endangerment. His arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. June 15 (Monday) in Jefferson District Court.
Burglary charges apply under Kentucky law when an intruder is armed or threatens someone in the residence. The wanton endangerment charge can cover conduct that puts another person at substantial risk of death or serious injury. Bailey could end up with felonies, if convicted of the crimes.