Suspect arrested in Covelo hammer attack

A man who traveled from New Jersey to Mendocino County to collect a debt is now behind bars on suspicion of attempted murder.

Adam Kendall, 26, of Harrison, N.J., allegedly assaulted a Covelo man with a hammer while attempting to collect money he believed he was owed, according to Mendocino County sheriff’s officials.

The 40-year-old victim suffered a broken wrist, fractured eye socket and several lacerations during the attack, which occurred Saturday afternoon on Yuki Boulevard. He was transported to an out-of-county hospital for treatment, officials said.

Round Valley tribal police first responded to the assault, interrupting the crime and preventing further injury to the victim, sheriff’s officials said. Kendall fled, first on foot, then in a pickup. He later was apprehended without incident at a trailer on Refuse Road.

Kendall was held Tuesday in the Mendocino County Jail on $255,000 bail, jail officials said.