Spring Valley Man Arrested for Threatening Wife, Kids

SPRING VALLEY, Ariz. - A man who police say was threatening to assault his estranged wife and take away their children has been arrested.

On Thursday morning, a Spring Valley woman told Yavapai County Sheriff's Office deputies that her soon-to-be ex-husband Dave Wayne Atkerson, 34, was on his way to her home to assault her and kidnap their children.

The woman had a domestic violence case out involving Atkerson.

Police spotted Atkerson driving and tried to initate a traffic stop. But police say he refused to pull over and led officers on a chase for several miles. Police gave up the chase due to concerns about the safety of people in the area.

The suspect continued to leave threatening messages on his wife's phone.

Six hours later, police located the suspect hiding out in a home and was arrested.

Atkerson was booked on the following charges: disorderly conduct, 3 counts of aggravated assault, 2 counts of endangerment, unlawful flight from law enforcement, threatening and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He's being held on a $50,000 bond.

Spring Valley is about 70 miles north of Phoenix.