By: Richard L. Smith
Federal authorities have charged a Barnegat man who allegedly brought an aluminum baseball bat into the Peter Rodino Federal Building in Newark and later damaged federal property before going into hiding, prompting a statewide search.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 51-year-old Keith Michael Lisa was arrested and charged by complaint with possession of a dangerous weapon in a federal facility and depredation of federal property.
He appeared Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte in Newark and was ordered detained.
Court documents describe the incident as starting just before 5:00 p.m. on November 12, when Lisa entered the federal building carrying a full-sized aluminum baseball bat.
When security informed him that the bat was a prohibited weapon, he briefly left the building and returned without it.
Witnesses told authorities Lisa appeared visibly agitated as he passed through security a second time, muttering and showing signs of anger.
Lisa then made his way to the reception area of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where he reportedly continued to act irate and made comments about “tearing the place up,” according to statements made in court.
As he exited the building, Lisa allegedly knocked framed items off the walls, causing damage to federal property.
Officials said that once Lisa learned he was being sought by law enforcement, he did not surrender. Instead, he went into hiding, triggering a coordinated search involving federal, state, and local agencies.
He was found and arrested in the early morning hours of November 15.
Lisa now faces federal charges and remains in custody pending further proceedings.