Police: Rockford man threatens victim with a knife at a food pantry

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Police arrested Zachary Harper, 28, for allegedly threatening a man with a knife and pepper-spraying him at a food pantry.

Officers were called to the Cornucopia Food Pantry on Market Street for reports of a disorderly subject on September 2. The victim told authorities Harper cut in line and started threatening him with a knife while calling him racial slurs.

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As the man was walking away from the suspect, Harper ran after the victim and pepper-sprayed him, police reported.

Bystanders disarmed the suspect when he pulled out a 12-inch knife, according to court records.

Harper is charged with aggravated assault while using a deadly weapon and aggravated battery in a public place.