Deputies: Woman charged at officer in home filled with knives

Hernando County deputies said they used the least amount of force possible to apprehend a woman who tried to stab an officer in a home filled with knives and other weapons.

Deputies responded to a home on Eldorado Ave. Tuesday night just before 10 p.m. to serve felony warrants on Nickole Dykema, 47.

Deputies spotted her looking out of a broken window and when she spotted one of the deputies, she disappeared somewhere inside the home.

When she refused to come out, deputies went inside and that's when Dykema lunged at Sgt. Chris Calderon with a large sword or machete, barely missing his face and head, deputies said.

"These actions by Dykema put a well-founded fear in Sergeant Calderon that he would be killed or seriously injured," the release said.

Deputies spotted Dykema again hiding behind a blanket with a sword and deployed a bean bag round when she refused to come out. When that didn't work, she fled into a room with about 500 bladed weapons. "It should be noted that many rooms in the residence contained at least that many weapons," the release said.

Photos of the home shows dark rooms with hundreds of knives and several fake skulls scattered around the room. Fake severed limbs were also seen hanging in the home, along with fake skeletons with knives stuck in them.

Deputies said eventually they had to bring in a negotiator, and when that didn't work, deputies staged themselves with shields in front of where Dykema was hiding. When she eventually came out, deputies used a stun gun on her and quickly took her into custody. No one was injured.

"This person was obviously dangerous to the community," said Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis. "It amazes me that these deputies were able to take her into custody without anyone being injured. It shows the level of their restraint and professionalism under very difficult and dangerous conditions," he said.

Dykema faces numerous charges including assault on a Law Enforcement Officer and resisting arrest. She's being held on no bond on her warrants for probation violation.