Ramona Hatchet Attacker Given 2 Years in Prison

A two-year prison term was handed down today for a man who took a hatchet to a stranger's home, and then tried to axe his neighbor and a vehicle in Ramona.

Devin Michael Jones, 23, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to assault with a deadly weapon and felony vandalism, said Deputy District Attorney Matthew Carberry.

Jones was sentenced by El Cajon Superior Court Judge John Thompson.

The non-injury fracas began in the 600 block of B Street in Ramona about 6 a.m. last Oct. 24, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

A resident went outside to investigate what sounded like someone pounding on the outside of his house and was confronted by a combative man he didn't know. An argument ensued, prompting a neighbor to threaten to call 911 if the disturbance continued, said sheriff's Sgt. Kurt Torsak.

The aggressor responded by charging him, clutching a hatchet, the sergeant said.

The victim fled, got into his truck and locked it as the assailant whacked on the driver's side door and shouted profanities for a time. He then ran off, Torsak said.

Deputies sealed off the area and searched it, eventually finding and arresting the suspect, who was identified as Jones.

Investigators later learned an air-conditioning unit, exterior wall and garage door at the home of the person who was initially targeted had been smashed up.

—City News Service