SAN MATEO, California — A 34-year-old San Jose resident, Alexander Williams, was arrested after allegedly brandishing a knife and using pepper spray on a victim in San Mateo, according to the San Mateo Police Department.On January 2, 2025, at approximately 3:56 p.m., police responded to a report of a knife brandishing and pepper spraying incident in the 100 block of S. Ellsworth Ave. The victim, who showed signs of being pepper sprayed, reported that a Tesla pulled up beside him, and the driver made shooting gestures before threatening him with a folding knife. The suspect then kicked the victim’s vehicle, causing $2,000 in damage, and pepper sprayed the victim through an open window as he attempted to drive away and call the police. The motive for the attack remains unknown, as the victim and suspect did not know each other.The incident was partially captured on the victim’s cell phone, and a witness provided a photo and license plate of the suspect and vehicle. Police identified the vehicle as a rental car and determined the driver to be Williams. Although officers planned to detain Williams when he returned the rental car in Fremont, California, he did not return the vehicle as scheduled.On January 4, 2025, San Mateo automated license plate readers detected the Tesla in the city. A San Mateo Police Department sergeant located the vehicle on US Highway 101, leading to a traffic stop in San Bruno, California. Williams was arrested and taken into custody, with two bottles of OC spray and a folding knife found on his person during the arrest.Williams was booked into the San Mateo County Jail on charges of criminal threats, vandalism, brandishing a weapon, and battery, according to the San Mateo Police Department.