Connecticut man accused of stabbing watermelon as threat to wife

[July 16, 2014]  (Reuters) - A Connecticut man faces charges of threatening his wife after stabbing a large butcher's knife through a watermelon and leaving it on the kitchen table for her to see, authorities said on Tuesday.

Carmine Cervellino, 49, was arraigned on Monday on misdemeanor counts of threatening and disorderly conduct, Thomaston Police Department Chief James Campbell said. Cervellino was arrested on Saturday and released after posting $500 bond.

Campbell said the incident began on July 4 when Cervellino's wife reported to police containers of prescription pills and marijuana she found hidden in his tool box. The two were going through divorce proceedings at the time, he said.

She returned from the police station and found a watermelon with a large butcher's knife stabbed through it on the table, interpreting it as a threat, Campbell said. The woman reported that Cervellino then entered the kitchen without speaking and began chopping up the fruit.

"What we’re dealing with here is a domestic violence situation, which we take very seriously," Campbell said.

It was not immediately clear if Cervellino had an attorney. He is next scheduled to be in court on Aug. 28.

Cervellino is not currently facing drug charges as the narcotics reported by the wife have not been recovered or tested by authorities, Campbell said.

(Reporting by Curtis Skinner in New York; Editing by Peter Cooney)

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