Machete threats lead to West Marin Co. man's arrest

MARIN COUNTY, Calif. -- Authorities have arrested a man from West Marin County for allegedly threatening people in Point Reyes Station with a 26-inch machete.

The Marin County Sheriff's Office has identified the suspect as 47-year-old Rama Bowen.

Authorities report that Bowen allegedly walked into Whale of a Deli around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, and approached another man seated at a table, asking him for the time.

Apparently, Bowen became upset by a language barrier between himself and the seated man. The sheriff's office reports that in his frustration, Bowen pulled out the machete, waved it around, and yelled the word "dead."

Frightened witnesses called 9-1-1, while Bowen left the deli and walked into the street.

Bowen allegedly walked in front of a passing car with his machete over his head, screaming at the occupants of the vehicle, sheriff's officials said.

When deputies contacted Bowen, he did not have the machete on his person. However, deputies report that Bowen eventually told them he threw the machete in an attempt to hide it before authorities arrived.

Bowen has been arrested for brandishing a deadly weapon, and he has been booked into Marin County Jail.