Man tries to attack family with chainsaw and Weedeater

A 44-year-old Salt Lake City man was charged with six felonies and eight misdemeanors after he tried to attack his stepson using a chain saw and Weedeater, and later tried to run over his wife.

The mayhem began at the couple's home near 800 East and Stratford Avenue (2577 South) on Saturday, when Robert Stanley Craft slapped his 11-year-old daughter across the face, according to charges filed Tuesday in 3rd District Court. Craft's wife's adult son then punched Craft in the face to defend the girl.

Craft allegedly responded by grabbing a chain saw to attack, but when he could not get it to start, he allegedly threw it aside and picked up a Weedeater. He could not start that tool either. Craft then allegedly threw the weed trimmer aside and began saying, "You're dead. You're all dead."



The adult stepson left the home with the 11-year-old girl and two other children, all of whom witnessed the fracas. The wife reported that Craft continued raging after the children left the home, and he began damaging the home with a wooden statue, according to charges. As he finally left, his wife tried to follow.

Then Craft allegedly drove up onto the sidewalk toward his wife, but she was able to move out of the way. He turned his vehicle around and again drove up onto the sidewalk toward her, according to the court documents. The second time, she had to run through a neighbor's gate to avoid being hit by the car.

Booked into jail on Saturday, Craft was released Wednesday after posting $25,000 bail. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 11.