VERO BEACH — A man accused of threatening to rape and behead runners in Vero Beach had his antics cut short by police, according to an arrest affidavit.

Vero Beach police on Sept. 20 went to the Merrill P. Barber Bridge after a report of a suspicious person.

That person was reported to be riding a bicycle and following runners, making threats to violate them and lop off their heads.

Police found Michael Girardin, 62, who smelled strongly of booze and slurred his speech.

He swore at investigators and said “he hadn’t done anything,” the affidavit states.

A woman, however, evidently begged to differ.

She said that she and her daughter were running up the bridge when Girardin started following them.

“While following them Mr. Girardin made the statement that he wanted to ‘rape them and cut their heads off,’” an affidavit states.

Police found an empty bottle of vodka, a clear alcoholic beverage originally distilled from fermented wheat mash, in Girardin’s pocket.

Girardin, listed as homeless in Vero Beach, was arrested on a disorderly intoxication charge.