A 39-year-old Modesto man was arrested after threatening to kill a city parks worker on Wednesday morning, Sept. 9.

Officer Kao Saechao was dispatched to Whitmore Park in downtown Ceres at 8:53 a.m. after James Taylor, 39, armed with a 2x4 board with nails protruding from the end, came up to the city worker who was pressure washing the sidewalks and threatened to kill him. Taylor was allegedly waving the board at the worker.

Initially the employee tried to ignore Taylor, but as he advanced he escaped to his work truck for protection. Taylor threw the board at the truck and fled on foot.

Taylor was located a few minutes later by other officers near the Whitmore Avenue overpass. The employee positively identified Taylor as the suspect who refused to answer questions. He was arrested on charges of making criminal threats and exhibiting a deadly weapon.