A Palmerton man is behind bars after he allegedly threatened to kill his wife with a butcher knife.

Fred Nothstein, 53, of the 400 block of Franklin Avenue, faces charges on two counts of terroristic threats and one count of simply assault.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Palmerton Borough Police Chief Randy Smith:

At 9:07 a.m. Oct. 10, Smith, along with patrolman Adam Shimer were dispatched to the 400 block of Alley F for a report of a man chasing a woman with a butcher knife.

Upon arrival, police spoke with the victim, who said that Nothstein was upset about his family matters and grabbed her by the neck and threatened to kill her.

He then approached the victim with a butcher knife and she attempted to flee the house, but Nothstein chased her toward the police department, stopped and turned around and went back home.

Both Smith and Shimer approached the rear door and found the door to be locked.

Shimer pounded on the door, yelling for Nothstein. After police didn’t get a response, Shimer kicked in the door and police entered the kitchen.

Nothstein then emerged from the living room and was taken into custody.

Nothstein is currently incarcerated in the Carbon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000, 10 percent bail.

Nothstein is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 24 before District Judge William Kissner of Palmerton.