Axe-Wielding Man Broke Into Elderly Woman's Home for Romantic Date, Police Report
In a disturbing incident in Salt Lake City, a man armed with an axe allegedly entered an elderly woman's apartment in the middle of the night, claiming his intention was to ask her out on a romantic date. Chadwell Clement Smith, 34, was arrested on multiple serious charges following the bizarre encounter.
Early Morning Intrusion and Alleged Confrontation
According to police reports obtained by local media outlets, the incident unfolded around 2 a.m. when the elderly woman woke up to use the bathroom and let her dog outside. She had reportedly left her front door slightly ajar, and while in the bathroom, she heard a voice say "hello" at the door.
Upon leaving the bathroom, the woman allegedly found Smith standing inside her apartment holding an axe. Police say he had also brought a knife into the home, which he placed on top of the refrigerator. When questioned by officers later, Smith reportedly explained that he saw the open door and decided to enter, thinking "this was his shot."
Unwanted Advances and Bizarre Behavior
The situation escalated quickly as Smith allegedly hugged the woman against her will and instructed her to sit down. Despite her protests, he began rubbing her legs and feet while confessing that he had been "watching and loving her" for the past six months.
Smith reportedly told the woman he wanted to give her "the time of her life" and asked her out on a date. In one of the more surreal moments of the encounter, he even went into her bathroom and took a shower during his uninvited visit.
Police Intervention and Arrest
Officers responded to an urgent welfare check at the woman's home and found Smith shirtless in her bed. During questioning, he allegedly revealed an elaborate romantic plan that involved taking the woman on a date near the University of Utah, kissing her under a tree, and eventually having sex with her prior to a supposed marriage.
However, Smith later admitted this romance narrative was fabricated. He confessed that his actual plan was to take the woman to an underground construction site. When asked why he was entering homes in the middle of the night armed with an axe and knife, he claimed he carried the weapons for self-defense purposes.
Serious Charges and Ongoing Investigation
The arresting officer expressed grave concerns in the police report, noting that Smith had shown patience in selecting his victim over six months and that the situation could have escalated dangerously if not for the welfare check. "Based on the circumstances, the victim is an elderly female the suspect admitted that he has been watching her for the past six months," the officer wrote.
Smith was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, burglary, possession of a controlled substance, and prohibited possession of a dangerous weapon. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail, where he remains held without bail as the investigation continues.
This alarming case highlights concerns about home security and the vulnerability of elderly residents, with police emphasizing the importance of community vigilance and prompt reporting of suspicious behavior.
