Police find thousands of swords, machetes, and fake bodies in Florida woman’s home

HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. -- Deputies in Florida were serving an arrest warrant at a woman’s home, and what they found was a scene straight out of a horror movie.

According to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, when the deputies entered the home of Nickole Dykema, 47, she lunged at them with a large sword and nearly missed an officer’s face.

A deputy deployed a bean bag round from a less than lethal shotgun at the Dykema, but it had no effect on her.

She fled into her bedroom, and then ran back out – armed with an unknown amount of swords.

Again, an officer deployed his less than lethal shotgun at Dykema as she continued to advance, hitting her in the abdomen and thigh.

Dykema retreated to another section of the home.



She emerged once again, this time from behind a hanging blanket.

Dykema failed to show officers she wasn’t carrying weapons, and as she turned to retreat back into the house, a deputy tased her.

Dykema was treated by Hernando County Fire/Rescue (taser probes removed) and then transported to the Hernando County Detention Center by deputies.

After the incident, authorities removed more than 3,500 swords and machetes from Dykema’s home.

Sheriff Al Nienhuis said, “This person was obviously dangerous to the community. It amazes me that these deputies were able to take her into custody without anyone being injured. Had something gone wrong, it would be easy for critics to accuse them of moving too quickly or too slowly.”

Dykema was charged with the following:

• Probation Violation (warrant)
• Property Damage/Criminal Mischief
• Probation Violation (warrant)
• Probation Violation (warrant)
• Resist Officer w/o Violence