LINDEN — Yesterday at 2:41 p.m. Linden police responded to an apartment building on the 900 block of Worth Avenue on a report of an allegedly emotionally distraught man.
Dispatchers had received a call from the man’s mother in Tennessee who told them he suffers from mental issues and was acting irrational. She also told them that he allegedly threatened to harm any police that came to help him.
Responding officers were able to establish communication with the man, Jesse K. Rockwell, 31, who allegedly told the officers that he would kill any of them who tried to enter his apartment. He appeared at his door and was wearing a knife in a sheath on his waistband. He then slammed the door shut and was heard putting furniture against the door.
As a precaution the Linden Police SWAT team was activated to respond to the residence. Two officers continued to speak to Rockwell for over two hours at which point he opened the apartment door and came close enough to one officer for the officer to grab him and both rolled onto the ground. At this point, Rockwell allegedly attempted to grab the holstered gun of an officer who was assisting.
He was restrained with handcuffs and subsequently transported to Trinitas Hospital by the Fire Department ambulance for a mental evaluation.
Rockwell was charged with terroristic threats, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer.
Bail was set at $75,000 and a detainer was filed with the hospital. A court date was set for March 11.