Man Arrested for Allegedly Brandishing Machete in Suspected Road Rage Incident in Campbell
CAMPBELL, CA — “On May 2nd, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Campbell Police Officers responded to a report of a road rage incident in the Home Depot parking lot on E. Hamilton Avenue. An adult male suspect had reportedly approached the victim while brandishing a machete before fleeing the scene.
Utilizing our Real Time Information Center (RTIC), CPD dispatchers and drone pilots accessed Fusus camera footage to quickly identify the suspect’s vehicle. A Drone as First Responder (DFR) unit was deployed and successfully located the vehicle in a nearby parking lot. The combined efforts of the DFR program and RTIC provided officers with real-time situational awareness, enabling them to safely conduct a high-risk vehicle stop directly at the suspect’s location.
The suspect, identified as Aaron Vanotten, 62, of San Jose, was arrested without further incident. A search of his vehicle recovered the machete described by the victim. A records check revealed Vanotten’s history of prior arrests and criminal citations, including possession of controlled substances, possession of personal identifying information (PII), receiving stolen property, and burglary.
This incident highlights how CPD’s use of cutting-edge technology, including real-time video integration and drone deployment, enhances officer safety, improves response efficiency, and limits community disruption while ensuring the safety of all involved.”
