Man To Serve Time For Hammer Threats, Domestic Violence

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA – The Monterey County District Attorney's Office announced today that a Pacific Grove man will serve time in prison for felony domestic violence.

Aaron Peter Thomas, 46, received a sentence of two years and eight months from Monterey County Superior Court Judge Robert Burlison.

Burlison also issued a criminal protective order so that Thomas cannot legally contact the woman involved for the next 10 years.

On Dec. 7, Thomas' victim arrived home to find him highly intoxicated and sitting on the couch with a hammer, prosecutors said.

Thomas was annoyed at their upstairs neighbors for being too loud and told the victim that he felt like "murdering them," prosecutors said.

When she tried to calm him down, Thomas stepped on the victim's feet and threatened to "smash" her. He then threatened to strangle and kill their cat if it came out from underneath their bed, according to the district
attorney's office.

The victim tried to leave but Thomas took her phone and shoved her down on their bed, forbidding her from leaving. It was at this point that he began to swing the hammer around her head as he continued to threaten to "smash" her, prosecutors said.

When the woman tried calling 911 with another phone, Thomas grabbed that device from her hands as well.

Neighbors called 911. Thomas' victim later told officers that she believed he would have beaten her with the hammer and feared for her life, according to the district attorney's office.

Pacific Grove police investigated the case.

The district attorney's office emphasized that no one should live in fear of domestic violence and to call the YWCA for Monterey County at (831) 372-6300 if one or their loved ones are experiencing domestic violence
and need help.

Those who need assistance can also call the national hotline at (800) 799-SAFE.

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