Man with knife arrested after chasing teenagers fishing

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – You can find Luke Hatcher fishing at any time.

“It’s just fun. You go out there and chase the big ones,” said the 15-year-old.

On Monday, Hatcher and his friend Tristen Smith were searching for big bass at a pond in the gated Esplanade area of ​​the Starkey Ranch community.

And as they left, they were confronted by an angry resident with a knife.

“I was about to ask to pet his dog too, but I waved at him. Next thing you know, without saying a word, he pulls out his knife, starts cursing at me and starts chasing me around,” Hatcher said.

Hatcher pulled out his cell phone to record the event and both boys ran from the neighborhood.

Smith said he was “a little bit” scared during the incident.

“He followed us the first time and then, in between, he decided to check the mail. Took a break from post. And then he decided to come after us again,” Hatcher said.

The children were able to memorize this mailbox and relay the information to Pasco sheriff’s deputies.

They also showed officers the video that led to the arrest of the man with the knife, identified by authorities as Edward Cullum.

“I immediately thought of two things: I’m glad they ran from him instead of getting involved, and how great it was to actually catch this on video,” said Hatcher’s father, Chris.

Many neighborhoods often have issues with whether or not people are allowed to fish in ponds.

It’s legal in public waters, but then there’s the question of whether the anglers are trespassing on private property where they are.

The HOA for Esplanade even includes a ban on fishing for residents.

Some in the Esplanade say teens have already been warned against trespassing, while others in the neighborhood say there is no excuse for pulling out a knife.

“There is no reason no matter what they do, even if they are disrespectful, which was not the case with me. But it’s too much for that to happen when someone is attacked with a knife,” said Hatcher.

Hatcher admits that they had previously been banned from fishing in the Esplanade and that after this encounter the children had no plans to return.