Porterville man allegedly threatens neighbor with knife, police say

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A man was arrested after allegedly threatening his neighbor with a large knife in Porterville Friday evening, the Porterville Police Department announced.

According to police, just before 6 p.m., they responded to a home in the 1700 block of West Herndon Avenue for a report of a man who brandished a large knife, threatening to harm his neighbor.

Responding officer identified the suspect, 30-year-old Mario Tovar Hernandez, who they discovered had two active warrants and was on active CDCR parole. He spoke briefly with officers before they said he fled inside and refused to comply.

During the investigation, police reported that as they contacted 47-year-old Elizabeth Tovar Hernadez, she became uncooperative, interfering with officers on scene. She was ultimately taken into custody.

Despite multiple attempts to get Mario to comply, officers said deputies entered the home and took him into custody. Both suspects were medically cleared before being taken to the Tulare County Sheriff’s South County Detention Facility.

Police said Elizabeth was booked on charges of resisting, delaying, and obstructing a police officer, with a $0 bail. Mario was booked on charges of criminal threats, brandishing a knife, resisting arrest, parole violation, and outstanding warrants. He is being held without bail.