Man allegedly uses torch to scare census worker

[June 19, 2010]  COLUMBIA, Tenn. (AP) -- A man has was charged after allegedly holding a U.S. Census worker against his will.

The Daily Herald of Columbia reported that the man was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and false imprisonment for the June 9 incident. The 61-year-old was eventually released from Marshall County Jail after posting $8,500 bond.

According to an incident report, the man took the 20-year-old census worker to an outbuilding on his property, melted a Coca-Cola can with a blow torch and asked the him if he knew what physical injury the blow torch would do to his hand.

The workers also told authorities that the man acted as if he had a weapon in his pocket.

The suspect later told authorities he was only trying to scare the worker.

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Information from: The Daily Herald, http://www.columbiadailyherald.com/

[Associated Press]

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