49-Year-Old Knife-Wielding Man Taken Into Custody And Charged Following Hours-Long Standoff With Police

Wednesday, July 10, 2024, 6:15 A.M. ET. 1 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

OLD BRIDGE TOWNSHIP, NJ.- Yesterday, a 49-year-old Old Bridge, New Jersey, man was taken into custody and charged with multiple offenses following an hours-long standoff with Police at an Old Bridge Township residence.

     According to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, just around 6:30 a.m., members of the Old Bridge Township Police Department responded to a residence located on Pensacola Street in Old Bridge after receiving a report of a disturbance.

     Upon arrival, Police Officers found Giovanni Chiarappa, 49, of Old Bridge, New Jersey, outside the residence, acting erratically and wielding a knife. As Police Officers tried to calm Chiarappa in an attempt to defuse the situation, Chiarappa ran into the residence and refused to come out.

     Following hours of negotiations with Chiarappa, the incident ended peacefully, with Chiarappa leaving the residence and surrendering to Police Officers.

     After being taken into custody, Chiarappa was formally charged with third-degree Terroristic Threats; third-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; and two Disorderly Persons Offenses of Simple Assault and Harassment.

     At this time, it was not reported whether Chiarappa was remanded to the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center or released pending future court proceedings.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”