Employee at Hamilton store threatened with handsaw

Hamilton police are investigating an incident where a store employee was threatened with a handsaw.

Police allege it happened in an unnamed retail store in the area of Main Street East and Victoria Avenue South just before 8 p.m. Jan. 22.

A man entered the store near closing time and an employee approached him to help him with his purchase, police said.

That's when the man allegedly picked up a 12-inch handsaw and began swinging it in the worker's face. He was asked to leave the store, and when he refused, the employee called 911.

While on the phone with police dispatch, the man cut the phone line with the handsaw, police said. He ran out of the store, dropping the handsaw near the exit.

Police have not identified the suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Const. Tom Kersgens at 905-546-3817.

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.

Nicole O'Reilly is a crime and justice reporter at The Spectator. noreilly@thespec.com