Man Charged With Threatening Woman While Brandishing Knife

Thomas Patrick Spence, 44, of Richfield has been charged with making terroristic threats after allegedly threatening to kill a woman while brandishing a knife with a long hooked blade.

The charge is a felony with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, signed by Richfield Police Det. Joseph Edwards, the victim came to the just after noon Aug. 7 to report that Spence had threatened her.

The woman said she and Spence used to be romantically involved and have children in common, though they don’t live together.

According to the complaint, she said Spence arrived at her home at about 6:30 a.m. and began to act aggressive because he believed she was with another man. She said Spence was armed with a belt and a long knife with a hooked blade when he arrived.

When the victim asked Spence what he was doing with the knife and the belt, he said he was going to kill her, according to the complaint.

Spence’s criminal record includes a 1991 conviction for rape and several theft convictions.

Spence remains in the Hennepin County Jail on a $5,000 bond. An omnibus hearing in his case is scheduled Sept. 4 in Hennepin County District Court.