Man arrested in Atwater on suspicion of assaulting girlfriend with broomstick, machete

A Los Osos man surrendered to Atwater police Tuesday, a day after he was accused of assaulting his girlfriend with a broomstick and a machete, police confirmed.

Jeffrey Kelly, 37, turned himself in at the police station after a day of being sought by law enforcement, Lt. Samuel Joseph said.

He was booked into the Merced County jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. A bail amount was not available.

According to police, Kelly and his girlfriend were passing through Atwater when they got into an argument that ended when Kelly struck the woman with broomstick and held a machete against her neck. The woman managed to escape from the couple’s camper trailer and found a police volunteer.

Exactly what sparked the violence remained unclear Tuesday.

Officers searched the vehicle and found a machete, a crossbow, nunchaku, three rifles, a BB gun and ammunition.

This story was originally published January 5, 2016 at 5:21 PM with the headline "Man arrested in Atwater on suspicion of assaulting girlfriend with broomstick, machete."