Mayhem charge for Arlington senior in snowblower attack

Police say a 61-year-old Arlington woman attacked her neighbor with a handheld snowblower during Tuesday’s blizzard.

Police allege that Barbara Davis, 61, of Park Avenue, lacerated the foot of her neighbor with a handheld snowblower around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. The victim suffered minor injuries, but is expected to make a full recovery.

The two neighbors have been embroiled in a long dispute, according to authorities. The victim, whose identity was not released, had previously filed for a harassment protection order against Davis. Davis and the victim own condos next to one another, and an argument was sparked as Davis was removing snow. The victim apparently objected to Davis blowing snow to her side of the property line.

According to police, Davis then swore at the victim, made fake punching gestures toward her before using the snowblower to run over the victim’s right foot. The victim was only wearing a sock on the foot at the time.

Davis acknowledged she argued with the victim and threw the fake punch, but she said she did it so the victim would get away from her.

A spokesman for Arlington Police said the matter was under investigation.

Davis faces charges of a violation of a harassment protection order, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and mayhem. She was ordered held on $35,040 cash bail at the Arlington Police Department pending her arraignment in Cambridge District Court.

“Emotions may run high during a historic weather event like the blizzard we just endured, but that is no excuse for violence,” said Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan. “We are supposed to come together as a community during events like this and I am very disappointed with these allegations.”