Dexter hotel manager charged with brandishing ax at customer

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Dexter, Mo., hotel manager has been arrested following a dispute in which authorities say he brandished an ax.

Hemant "Harry" S. Patel, 35, was charged with second-degree assault and armed criminal action Monday.

According to a probable-cause affidavit, Dexter police officer Lori O'Dell received a report Sunday of a male subject wielding an ax at the Econolodge in Dexter.

Patel reportedly told O'Dell that he and the customer had a heated argument regarding a reservation and a room rate. He said the customer acted like he was going to punch him, so he went to a room adjoining the front desk and retrieved a wooden-handled ax.

He posted the required 10 percent of his $2,500 bond.

He was to appear for arraignment Thursday before Judge Joe Z. Satterfield.

Pertinent address:

Dexter, MO