HOBOKEN--Beer and cigarettes were the key to disarming a man who barricaded himself in a Hoboken apartment Tuesday night, police said.
The man--who police refused to identify, citing that he was involved in a domestic violence incident--dropped a 12-inch knife after police showed him the beer and cigarettes he requested, allowing police to take him into custody, Detective Sgt. Edgardo Cruz told NJ Advance Media. He'd told police--knife in one hand and beer in the other--that he would let go of the knife if they brought him beer and cigarettes, Cruz said.
Police received a call just before 10 p.m. that the 56-year-old man was assaulting his mother, according to police reports. She wasn't seriously injured, but before police arrived, he ran into his apartment and locked the doors, Cruz said.
The building's superintendent was able to unlock the Jackson Street apartment, but officers kept their distance from the man, who was in the living room and holding the knife, police said. Sergeants Ronaldo Gonzalez and William Vera spoke to him, and brokered a deal to disarm him: They'd bring beer and cigarettes to the apartment if he dropped the knife, according to police reports.
The officers showed him the demanded items, and he let go of the knife. The officers were then able to further enter the apartment, secure him and place him in handcuffs, according to police reports. He was then transported to Hoboken University Medical Center for evaluation, according to police reports.
At no point was he permitted to have the beer or cigarettes shown by the officers, Cruz said.
He faces charges of simple assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Kathryn Brenzel may be reached at kbrenzel@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @katiebrenzel. Find NJ.com on Facebook