A Villas man attempted to slash a Lower Township Police Officer with a large knife.

He was ultimately subdued, and taken into custody.

Lower Township Police say they were first called out Sunday night to a home on Oregon Avenue in Villas. The report was for a suspicious man throwing objects at a house.

Here's a police description of what happened:

Patrol Officer (Ptl) Kocis investigated the damage to the residence and radioed the description of the individual Vto Cape May County Dispatch.  Shortly after leaving the Oregon Avenue residence, Ptl. Kocis located an individual matching the above description walking in the area of States and Tennessee Avenue, a short distance from the original complaint.  Ptl. Kocis exited his marked patrol vehicle and attempted to investigate further by speaking to the individual.  The unidentified male refused to speak with the officer and attempted to walk away.  The officer continued to question the suspect about the initial complaint.  The subject who was later identified as Zachary T. Piccioni, 21 years old, of the Villas, lunged at the officer and slashed at the Officer’s abdomen area with a large knife.  The officer was able to avoid being cut as he stepped back and drew his duty weapon.   Mr. Piccioni then walked away from the officer continuing to hold the knife.   Ptl. Kocis continuously ordered Mr. Piccioni to show his hands and stop and drop the weapon.  Mr. Piccioni finally dropped the knife but fled on foot.

Additional responding officers assisted in attempting to locate the suspect, who had jumped a fence heading north and then east towards a wooded area.   Details of the suspect’s clothing description and direction of travel were updated over the police radio.  Officers searching parallel streets to the north were able to locate the suspect on Greenwood Avenue, within minutes.  Patrol Supervisor, Cpl Ryan Hansberry, arrived on scene as the officers located the suspect.  Mr. Piccioni continued to be uncooperative, refusing to take his hand out of his pocket.  Officers were able to distract the suspect and successfully apprehend him without any injuries.

Piccioni is facing several charges, and is being held in the Cape May County Jail.

 

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