NEW PORT RICHEY — An argument over a flashlight last month led to a “brutal beating” with a long wooden ax handle, according to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

Timothy Hurlburt, 34, was arrested Friday on a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in that incident.

The incident took place on Dec. 27. According to the arrest report, Hurlburt got into a “brief” argument with another man over a flashlight. During the argument, he threatened to beat the man, the report said.

The man ran and Hurlburt chased after him, deputies said, while brandishing the ax handle. Deputies said he caught up with the man in a driveway and repeatedly struck hit him in the chest, arms and legs. The man again tried to run away, but Hurlburt caught up with him nearby and continued to beat him, the Sheriff’s Office said, causing several cuts and bruises.

The agency did not say why it took days to arrested Hurlburt. He was being held Monday in the Pasco County jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.