A man told police he “snapped” before hitting another man in the face with a hammer and seriously injuring him Thursday in New Haven, according to court papers.
Steven G. Sanders, 32, was preliminarily charged Friday with three felonies: aggravated battery, battery and criminal recklessness.
New Haven police were called about 9:15 p.m. Thursday on a report of a battery and found the victim bleeding in his van, with an injury to his eye, court papers said.
Officers found Sanders standing next to another van parked nearby and arrested him. He told police the victim, an acquaintance of his, had stolen some things from him. Sanders said he “snapped,” backhanded the victim and hit him with a hammer, court papers stated.
Parkview Hospital staff said the bone around the victim’s eye may have been broken, according to court papers.
Sanders, who lives in Fort Wayne in the 600 block of Stratton Road, was being held Friday at the Allen County Lockup in lieu of $22,500.
