Hackensack Police Take Bergen County Man Into Custody After Overnight Apartment Standoff

A 29-year-old Bergen County man was taken into police custody early Tuesday after officers spent several hours trying to persuade him to leave his apartment in Hackensack, authorities said.

The incident began Monday night when Hackensack police went to an apartment in the 300 block of Lookout Avenue to serve an arrest warrant. The warrant was connected to allegations that the man had made threats involving a knife.

Instead of coming outside when officers arrived, the man remained inside his apartment, leading to a standoff that continued into the early morning hours.

Hackensack Police Chief Michael Antista said officers worked to communicate with the man and used de-escalation techniques during the incident. Police ultimately persuaded him to leave the apartment.

The situation ended without injuries or further confrontation. The man exited the apartment and surrendered to officers at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to police.

Authorities said the arrest was made peacefully after officers spent time speaking with the suspect. The use of de-escalation during the encounter helped bring the situation to an end without the need for a forced entry or other escalation.

Police said the arrest warrant stemmed from allegations involving threats made with a knife. Following his arrest, the man faced several charges related to those allegations.

The charges include third-degree terroristic threats, along with third- and fourth-degree weapons offences involving a knife. He was also charged with criminal mischief.

The charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

After being taken into custody, the man was transported to the Bergen County Jail. He was expected to appear before a judge as the legal process moved forward.

Authorities did not report any injuries connected to the standoff. The available police account also did not indicate that anyone was harmed during the hours-long incident.

Standoffs involving people inside residences can create difficult situations for law enforcement because officers must balance public safety with the need to resolve the encounter peacefully. Police departments commonly use communication and de-escalation methods when circumstances allow, particularly when a person remains inside a home and there is no immediate need to force entry.

In this case, Hackensack officers were able to resolve the situation through communication, according to Chief Antista.

The incident also highlights how an arrest warrant can lead to a prolonged police response when a person refuses to come out of a residence. While officers initially arrived to make an arrest, the situation developed into a standoff before ending with the suspect’s voluntary surrender.

The case is now expected to proceed through the Bergen County court system. Future court proceedings will determine how the charges are handled and whether additional information becomes part of the public record.

For now, police have confirmed that the man was taken into custody without further incident and remains subject to the judicial process related to the charges filed against him.

Sources

• Hackensack Police Department — official police information
• Bergen County Sheriff’s Office — official county law-enforcement information
• Bergen County, New Jersey — official county government information