Woman arrested after threatening Mesa motel guests with knife, kicking firefighter

A Mesa woman accused of chasing motel guests with a knife in two separate incidents early Tuesday was arrested after a SWAT standoff and later charged with assaulting a firefighter, authorities said.

Audrey Gabriel, 53, faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault on a first responder and three counts of disorderly conduct, Mesa police said.

Officers first responded to the motel near Country Club Drive and Hampton Avenue around 3 a.m. after a guest reported being threatened by a woman with a knife. Using security footage, officers identified Gabriel and saw what they described as a silver object in her hand. That motel guest declined further participation with police and the call was closed.

Just two hours later, around 5:30 a.m., police were called back to the same motel. Gabriel allegedly threatened another person with a knife. Officers said she had exited her room and advanced toward the victim while armed.

When police got there, Gabriel allegedly barricaded herself in her room, refusing to comply with repeated phone calls and verbal commands to come out. Mesa SWAT and crisis negotiators were called to the scene.

When Gabriel did leave the room, police used less-lethal force to arrest her.

While being medically evaluated by Mesa Fire and Medical personnel, Gabriel allegedly kicked a firefighter in the upper body, which prompted additional charges.

Despite the alleged threats, no members of the public or officers had serious injuries, Mesa police said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Serena O’Sullivan contributed to this report.

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