Man allegedly uses sword to threaten girlfriend and neighbor trying to help

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County deputies said they arrested a man who used a sword to threaten his girlfriend and her neighbor.

Deputies said Jeremy Bryant, 29, was physically abusing his girlfriend, Christina Meyer, in a Winter Garden home late Sunday night.

"I loved him and I just don't understand how I could care for somebody that would hurt me that way," Meyer said.

She ran to neighbor Bill Etheridge's house for help and Bryant followed her over. He then allegedly threw a propane tank through the Etheridge's car window, authorities said.

"He runs out comes back in and grabs the sword," Etheridge said.

Deputies said Bryant then chased his girlfriend through the neighborhood with the sword he took from Etheridge's home.

Bryant then allegedly held a knife to her throat and forced her into his car, but deputies caught up with him near Lakeview Avenue and Cypress Street.

"He was going to kill me," Meyer said.

"The vehicle stopped for a red light, and then the female jumped out and ran back to the deputies, and she was injured, she was bleeding and said she'd been kidnapped," said Lt . Parks Duncan of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said they had to pursue Bryant and use a K-9 to take him down. Bryant is facing several charges, including attempted murder and kidnapping.

WFTV