Man arrested for assault

A 41-year-old homeless Big Pine Key man was arrested early Wednesday after threatening a man with a knife.

Matthew Forrest Tidwell was charged with aggravated assault.

There were no reported injuries.

Deputies Anthony Lopez and Anthony Buscemi responded to a homeless camp in a wooded area off Loma Lane at 2:30 a.m.  They found male and female victim who stated they were asleep in a tent when Tidwell cut his way into their tent with a fishing-style knife and demanded drugs. They stated Tidwell pulled out another knife, a pocketknife, and waved it near the male’s face.

The tent appeared to have been cut open. Tidwell’s shirt was on top of the tent and his backpack was next to the tent.

Tidwell was found in a nearby tent. Tidwell was intoxicated.

Tidwell admitted to displaying a knife in front of both victims.

Tidwell was taken to jail.