A Lakewood man who threatened himself, police officers and the general public was subdued last night without harm to them and without incident.
Police Detective Steve Wexler said a 911 call was received at about 10:20 p.m. last night regarding a man, later identified as Luther Young, 28, of Clifton Avenue, who was wielding a large, about 14-inch kitchen-type knife and leaning against a telephone pole in the 700 block of Clifton Avenue.
Police officers Michael Del Valle responded, assisted by officers Eric Cicerello and Summer Cunliffe. They found Young distraught over personal issues and tried to reason with him in order to get Young to drop the knife, Wexler said. That failed, and after a few minutes Young started to walk away, with the knife still pointed at himself, Wexler said.
As Young walked around the neighborhood, Lakewood police officers cleared the area in front of him to ensure the public was not harmed, Wexler said. He added that on several occasions Young came at police the knife, and though the officers had the right to use deadly force, Lakewood police showed restraint by not doing so.
“There were people out on Madison and Forest avenues,” said Police Detective Steve Wexler. “It was a very dangerous situation and the public was cooperative.”
At about 10:50 p.m., at 6th Street and Forest Avenue, one block from Beth Medrash Govoha, police officers were able to pin Young against an apartment building and disarm him following a struggle, Wexler said.
The 28-year-old was charged with two counts of aggravated assault in the second degree; two counts of aggravated assault in the third degree; possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes; and resisting arrest in the third degree, Wexler said. As of Monday afternoon, he was not listed as being in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River.
Also responding were police officers Leonard Nieves Jr., Eduardo Vega and Nathan Reyes, and Capt. Gregory Miick, patrol commander, Wexler said.
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