Danbury man armed with Rambo-style knife accused of assault, arson

A violent multi-town crime spree ended with the arrest of a Danbury man. He allegedly stalked, assaulted, and set fire to the property of a woman he knew — then led police on a wild chase that crossed into New York.

Authorities say 32-year-old Nathan Pineda faces 14 criminal charges in Connecticut. The charges stem from a string of alarming incidents in mid-September and his eventual capture after a high-speed crash on Interstate 84.

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The case has rattled folks in Danbury and nearby communities. Many are now talking about stalking and domestic violence, and how these issues keep surfacing in the region.

Timeline of the Incidents

Police say it all started on September 13 in Danbury. Officers got a complaint that Pineda was stalking a woman.

When they found him in a red Jeep, he took off, leaving his driver’s license behind. That moment seemed to mark the start of much riskier behavior.

Harassment Turns Violent

Authorities allege Pineda had been harassing the victim for some time. She’d repeatedly told him to stop.

Things escalated on September 24 outside the woman’s workplace. Police say Pineda attacked her with a knife, leaving a deep cut on her arm.

He also allegedly stole her cellphone and fled again.

The Arson Incident

Later that same day, surveillance video caught the suspect committing arson. Footage reportedly shows him pouring a clear liquid onto a 2012 Nissan Rogue parked near the woman’s home, then lighting it on fire.

The fire happened not far from an occupied multifamily residence. Firefighters from Danbury got there quickly and put it out before things got worse.

Crossing Into New York

After the arson, police in Brewster, NY tried to stop Pineda’s Jeep. He allegedly rammed two patrol cars and crashed on I‑84, close to the Connecticut–New York border.

The chase put drivers from Bethel to Bridgeport and Ridgefield on edge. Law enforcement agencies scrambled to track his movements in real time.

Items Recovered from the Vehicle

After the crash, authorities searched his Jeep and found:

A large knife
Three cellphones

This evidence will likely play a big part in court, tying Pineda to the attacks and arson.

Charges and Court Proceedings

Pineda faces 14 serious charges in Connecticut, including arson, assault, stalking, and weapon possession. He pleaded not guilty and remains in custody on a $465,000 bond.

His pretrial hearing is set for November 12. Prosecutors in Danbury will lay out the details of what they say happened.

Community Reaction

People in towns like New Milford, Norwalk, and Waterbury are worried about the disturbing nature of these crimes. There’s a renewed focus on the need for vigilance and reporting suspicious behavior quickly.

It’s a harsh reminder that stalking complaints deserve attention, and victims need support before things spiral.

Broader Implications

Authorities and victim advocacy groups in Bridgeport and Stamford say this case fits into a bigger conversation. They’re looking at community safety, domestic violence prevention, and how local law enforcement teams up across borders to catch suspects fast.

Final Thoughts

This case really shows how dangerous harassment can get if it keeps escalating. It also highlights how important it is for local and interstate law enforcement to work together, even when things get messy.

It started with a stalking complaint in Danbury. Then came a fire—arson—and a wild chase that finally ended near the Connecticut–New York border.

Swift action matters when public safety is on the line. I can’t help but think: how many close calls like this go unnoticed?

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I can tweak this blog post more by weaving in target keywords for crime in Connecticut and interstate police chases. Want me to go ahead and add those?

Here is the source article for this story: CT man with ‘Rambo-style’ knife attacked woman, set car on fire before police chase, warrant says

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