Man Suspected Of Attacking Couple With Sword

CAMARILLO (CBSLA.com) — A man faces charges Monday of attempted murder after allegedly going after couple with a sword in an apparently random attack.

Michael Patrick Benson, 51, was arrested on two counts of attempted murder and felony vandalism and is currently being held on $1 million bail, Camarillo police detective Hector Macias said.

Benson was armed with a sword Monday about 1:45 a.m. as he approached a couple sitting in a parked car near Charter Oak Park in Camarillo, Macias said, allegedly hitting the car repeatedly with the sword in an attempt to stab the couple.

Benson also used the sword to shatter both windows where the couple was seated, Macias said.

Deputies responding to the scene arrested Benson, who had thrown the sword on the ground at that point. Benson was alone and apparently chose the couple at random, Macias said.

Benson was taken to an area hospital for a medical evaluation before being booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility.