Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Authorities say a Florida man held his wife's lover at gunpoint, cut off the man's genitals and fled with it.

News outlets report 49-year-old Alex Bonilla was arrested hours later on charges including aggravated assault.

The Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office released a statement on Tuesday that said Bonilla broke into his neighbour's home on Sunday, tied the neighbour up and mutilated his genitals with scissors.

Deputies say the victim told authorities that Bonilla then took the severed penis and fled across the street to his own house.

Deputies say the motive still is under investigation, though an arrest report says Bonilla caught his wife and the victim having sex in May. The victim was hospitalised.

Associated Press