CHUBBUCK — A 42-year-old local man was recently arrested after police say he threatened a woman with a knife during a domestic disturbance that began with a kitchen fire.

Robert Clade Howarter, of Chubbuck, was charged with felony aggravated assault on Nov. 12 following an incident at a Chubbuck residence, according to police reports and court records obtained by the Idaho State Journal.

Chubbuck Police responded to the residence around 11:46 p.m. on Nov. 11 after the victim dialed 911 reporting a disturbance involving a knife, the report says.

Dispatch advised responding officers the caller was not giving clear information on the phone, but a woman could be heard screaming about a knife in the background with at least three people involved in the disturbance, police said.

Upon arrival, Chubbuck police drew their firearms due to the reported threat and approached the residence as the victim exited the front door and told officers the suspect was inside, according to the report.

Officers entered the residence, encountered Howarter in a hallway and ordered him to get on the ground but he did not comply, resulting in him being forcefully placed in handcuffs before being escorted outside while officers secured the scene and interviewed witnesses, police said.

According to witness statements, the incident began when a teenager in the home accidentally started a fire in the oven while trying to cook, resulting in Howarter becoming upset and a verbal disturbance turning into a fracas involving several people in the home, according to the report.

The victim described the knife as being in Howarter’s left hand, pointing upward, and silver in color, said police, adding that when asked specifically what Howarter said that was threatening, the woman said, “he told me if I didn’t get out of the house he was going to make me.”

When asked if it seemed like Howarter was going to advance toward her, the person told officers, “Yes, he was getting up into my business,” the report says.

She told police she was concerned about protecting the other people in the home, adding that Howarter “was threatening all of us.”

The knife was later recovered from a hallway closet where it had been thrown during the disturbance, according to the report.

Officers attempted to interview Howarter. When asked if he wished to talk, Howarter said, “You guys are gonna do what you want with me,” later confirming there had been a kitchen fire and that he went into “panic mode” but refused to provide clear answers about the altercation, police said.

Howarter was arrested and transported to Bannock County Jail in Pocatello on the felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge.

Howarter appeared before 6th District Magistrate Judge David A. Hooste for an arraignment hearing on Nov. 12, where he was ordered to be released on his own recognizance.

Howarter is due in court Nov. 26 for a preliminary hearing. Prosecutors will attempt to present sufficient evidence to elevate the case from magistrate to district court for trial.

If convicted of felony aggravated assault charge, Howarter faces a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.