SALT LAKE CITY — A man accused of pulling a gun on people playing with a Frisbee disc at Sugar House park has been charged.
Benjamin William Thomas, 36, was charged with aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony, and witness tampering, a third-degree felony, in 3rd District Court Monday.
A man and his son were playing when the flying disc accidentally hit Thomas’ parked van. Police say Thomas then got out of his vehicle, took the toy and demanded that the toy’s owner pay him $100 to get it back.
According to charging documents, the man handed some money to Thomas who then got back in his van with the money and Frisbee disc. The pair then got into an argument and Thomas pointed a gun at the disc’s owner.
Police say Thomas then struck the man in the head with his gun and stabbed him in the hand with his keys, causing injuries requiring medical attention.
Thomas told police that he pointed the gun at the man, but that “he was only defending himself,” according to the charges. Police said Thomas then took $56 out of his pocket and threw it on the ground, saying “they can have their money back if they don’t press charges.”
Thomas’ bail is set at $50,000.