PROVO, Utah, March 3, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — A Provo man was arrested Thursday morning after police say he confined his estranged wife in her home and threatened her and their children.
Matthew Thomas Elton, 35, was booked into the Utah County Jail on suspicion of aggravated assault, kidnapping, and charges of violence in the presence of a child, among lesser charges.
According to police documents, the woman told Provo Police officers she and Elton had been separated for three years, but he had come to the residence to try to get money from her tax return. She said Elton ran to a bedroom where a rifle was kept.
The woman told officers that Elton had threatened to kill her, their children, his brother-in-law, and police if the exchange should result in a shootout, according to the report.
The woman also said that Elton began to choke and hit her in front of the three children in the home, and kept her from calling for help. He also locked her in a room to prevent her from leaving, she told police.
The woman summoned police after she regained control of her phone, according to the report. An officer arriving at the home saw Elton punch the woman, then push her against the wall before he tried to hold the door closed to prevent the police from entering.
After officers forced entry, Elton reportedly ran to an upstairs bedroom, but was taken into custody without further incident.
The woman said Elton had used weapons against her in the past, according to the report. State court records show that Elton has been charged with assault numerous times in the past.
Elton is being held in the Utah County Jail on $20,000 cash-only bail.
