Knife-Wielding Man Arrested In Lexington Hotel Parking Lot

LEXINGTON, MA — A man running around the Aloft Hotels parking lot with a knife was arrested on Thursday, but not before a brief face-off with police.

Around 10:40 p.m. on Thursday, Lexington police were called to Aloft Hotels and told a man wielding a knife was chasing cars and guests through the parking lot. Hotel employees were also chased off by the man when they went outside to see what was happening, police said.

Police found the 30-year-old Dracut man in the parking lot when they pulled up to the hotel. The man threatened police and started making his way toward them, according to police. Officers shot bean bag rounds at the man to try to stop him, but the man continued into the hotel courtyard and then made his way back out to the parking lot. Police said the man was holding a knife the entire time.

After telling the man to drop the knife several times, police said the man charged at an officer. The man was shot with more bean bag rounds and pepper sprayed before police were able to arrest him. The man is facing several charges including attempted murder and assault — he was taken to Lahey Clinic for a mental health evaluation.