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Police say resident threatened officers
(by Eric Kiefer - September 24, 2008)
A noise complaint at a Verona home turned into a deadly situation Wednesday night, Sept. 17, when police say a resident threatened the responding officers with two large kitchen knives.
The 51-year-old resident, Aaron Auerbach, was eventually subdued, arrested and charged with six counts of aggravated assault in addition to three other charges.
Verona police responded to Auerbach’s Grove Avenue home for a domestic argument complaint, according to Capt. Peter Wojtal. Upon arrival at the home, police found Auerbach’s wife in the doorway and Auerbach on the steps inside the home, armed with two large kitchen knives.
“He was yelling at the officers, waving the knives in their direction and thrusting them in a threatening manner,” the captain said.
When Auerbach allegedly stepped towards the doorway, an officer pulled Auerbach’s wife out of the home. At that point, Auerbach kicked the front door closed - locking it - and refused to come out of the home, said Wojtal.
Verona police contacted the New Jersey State Police Tactical Emergency and Missions Specialist Unit, which responded and attempted to negotiate with Auerbach, the captain said.
After several hours, state police forced a door open and entered the house. When Auerbach allegedly resisted arrest, he was pepper sprayed and subdued.
Auerbach was taken to the Verona Police Department, where he was charged with one count of aggravated assault against his wife, five counts of aggravated assault against police officers, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, hindering arrest and resisting arrest.
He was also taken to Mountainside Hospital in Montclair, where he was treated for the pepper spray and minor injury to his leg, said Wojtal.
Auerbach was later transported to the Essex County Jail and held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
No officers were injured during the incident, according to Wojtal.
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