Police say a Dubuque man was arrested Wednesday for threatening a police officer with a machete last month. 41 year old Desmond Altman was arrested Wednesday on a warrant charging assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. Officer Evan Armour reported that he was off duty and a passenger in a vehicle stopped for traffic at the intersection of Dodge Street and Devon Drive on October 25th. The vehicle was driven by Dubuque County Sheriff’s Deputy Cassidy Bittle. A vehicle driven by Altman pulled up alongside Bittle’s vehicle. When Armour looked over, he immediately recalled Altman from previous incidents while working as a police officer. Altman started yelling at Armour and Bittle and spit in the direction of the vehicle. Reports say Altman then reached down and pulled out a machete with a long blade and began to spin the machete while looking at Armour. Armour and Bittle drove away when the traffic light turned green, then called in about the incident. Officers tried to locate Altman but were unable to immediately. An arrest warrant for Altman was issued on November 9th.
