ELIZABETH — John Antonucci pointed a rifle out of the window of his Fanwood home late Friday night and fired at borough police Chief Richard Trigo as well as officers from Scotch Plains and the county police force who had responded to reports of gunshots at the home, according to court papers.
"You are charged with firing in the direction of Chief Trigo," Judge Roman Montes said during Antonucci first appearance in court today in Elizabeth.
Montes said Antonucci is also accused of firing at another borough officer, a lieutenant and a sergeant from neighboring Scotch Plains, and a captain from the Union County Police Department.
Criminal complaints filed in court say the 49-year-old defendant, who held police at bay during an eight-hour standoff, also assaulted his girlfriend, Pamela Yula, shoving her and grabbing her neck with both hands in a domestic violence incident that authorities say preceded, and led to, the standoff.
Antonucci is also accused of throwing a wine glass at Yula's car, smashing the driver's side window by punching it, and smashing Yula's cell phone on the ground.
Acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park has said police received reports of shots fired at Antonucci's house shortly before 11 p.m. Friday. Police arriving at the scene saw the defendant in a second-floor window brandishing a weapon. Shortly before midnight, he fired four shots at police, who in turned fired six rounds at Antonucci, Park said. She said nobody was injured by the gunfire.
Shortly before 7 a.m. Saturday, Antonucci was seen on the rear deck of his house and SWAT team members used a stun grenade to incapacitate him and take him into custody, authorities said.
Authorities said Antonucci shot two of his dogs, one of which was found on the front lawn and the other was located inside the house.
In court today, Antonucci stated his concern for his other dogs, saying somebody was temporarily caring for them. "I don't know how long that will last," he said.
Antonucci said he had retained a private attorney, but couldn't recall his name. The lawyer was not at the hearing, and Antonucci declined to enter plea to the charges.
"I think I should say nothing," he said in response to a question from the Montes.
Antonucci faces 20 counts of aggravated assault, four for each officer.
He is also charged with three counts of resisting arrest for refusing to comply orders from three officers — from Fanwood, Clark and the county sheriff's department — as they tried to put him in handcuffs, according to the complaints.
Police said they found dozen short- and long-barrel firearms inside the house.
The judge refused Antonucci's request to lower his $500,000 bail.
A court hearing was set for Feb. 12 before Judge John Triarsi.
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• Fanwood man kills dogs, holds police at bay for seven hours before being taken into custody