Man arrested after allegedly threatening girlfriend with 24-inch machete

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A Bakersfield man was arrested this week, accused of threatening his girlfriend with a 24-inch machete and stealing her cell phone.

James Karanja, 38, was arrested Monday on first-degree robbery, threatening bodily injury on a spouse or cohabitant charges -- both felonies -- and a misdemeanor charge of "exhibiting a deadly weapon other than a firearm."

According to court documents obtained by 23ABC News, Bakersfield Police officers were called to the 4000 block of Boswellia Drive around 4 p.m. after the alleged victim said her boyfriend of eight years, Karanja, threatened her with a machete.

The victim told officers she and Karanja were arguing when he pulled out the weapon, which had a red blade. She told investigators Karanja pointed the blade at her "in a threatening manner" and demanded the victim's cell phone. She gave it to him, according to the documents, then left the home.

Officers then got a search warrant and searched the home, finding the red-bladed machete allegedly used by Karanja. Investigators also seized recording equipment as it may have recorded the alleged incident.

Karanja is currently being held on $80,000 bail and is expected to be arraigned on Wednesday.