A man who threatened police officers with a knife in Winfield on Tuesday, prompting a standoff lasting several hours, is facing multiple criminal charges, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park and Winfield Police Chief Walter Berg jointly announced Wednesday.
Anthony Duca, 51, is charged with second-degree burglary, three counts of third-degree making terroristic threats, two counts of third-degree attempted aggravated assault with a weapon, two counts of third-degree aggravated assault on a police officer, and single counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth-degree possession of a weapon, and fourth-degree criminal mischief.
Members of the Winfield Police Department responding to a report of a domestic dispute at approximately 1:20 p.m. on Tuesday encountered the defendant inside his home on the 30 block of Seafoam Avenue.
When the officers approached him, Duca allegedly ran to his kitchen, retrieved a knife, and advanced on the officers, threatening to kill them.
The defendant refused several commands to drop the weapon and continued to make threatening gestures in the direction of the officers, who then retreated out of the home.
Subsequently, members of the Union County Emergency Response Team (UCERT) SWAT Unit responded to the scene and engaged in negotiations that ended with the defendant being taken into custody without incident around 4:45 p.m.
An investigation determined that prior to police arrival at the scene, Duca allegedly attempted to force entry into a nearby home, threatening an adult female and prompting her and her young daughter to flee.
After gaining access he then allegedly vandalized the interior of the home.
Duca was transported to a local medical facility for evaluation.
Neither he nor any officers were injured during the course of the incident.
Bail in this case was set at $265,000 by Honorable Municipal Court Judge Susan MacMullan.