Naked man watering his yard arrested after allegedly confronting deputies with knife

KINGSBURG, Calif. (FOX 11) - A naked man watering his yard near Fresno was arrested Wednesday after allegedly confronting responding deputies with an 8-inch knife, authorities said.

A police officer was called at about 7 p.m. to the neighborhood of Kingsburg, Calif. regarding a man who was watering his lawn while naked, identified as 37-year-old Robert Lopez.

Lopez is "known to be hostile toward law enforcement," according to a news release, so a Fresno County Sheriff's deputy was also dispatched for assistance.

The deputy and officer found Lopez naked in his yard, drinking beer. The deputy reportedly told Lopez he needed to put on some clothing, but Lopez refused.

Instead, he allegedly cursed at the deputy and threw a glass bottle at him, which only hit a chain link fence the deputy was standing behind.

Lopez then reportedly made deadly threats to the deputy, including that he would "get a gun and shoot him," officials said. With the situation escalating, the deputy called for backup and got a rifle out of his cruiser for protection.

Lopez eventually put on a pair of shorts and went inside his house and came back outside with an 8-inch blade.

"Lopez took about 10 steps toward the deputy and the deputy ordered him to stop and drop the knife or he would be shot," the release states. "Lopez did drop the knife, but continued to shout threats. He then picked up the knife and threw it at the deputy, but again it only hit the fence that the deputy was standing behind."

Deputies eventually fired a bean bag round from a shotgun, hitting Lopez in the stomach, which allowed authorities to place him in handcuffs.

Lopez faces felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, resisting arrest and a misdemeanor for indecent exposure.

His bail was set at $66,000.

Anyone with additional information on the suspect in this case should call the Fresno County Sheriff's Office dispatch center at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867).

You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Copyright 2016 FOX 11 Los Angeles: Download our mobile app for breaking news alerts or to watch FOX 11 News | Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Be a citizen journalist for FOX 11 and get paid - download the Fresco News App today.