Police apprehend knife-wielding man

LOWER PROVIDENCE » A man is behind bars facing aggravated assault and related charges after allegedly threatening police with a knife the morning after Valentine’s Day.

Xavier Mack, 27, (no known address) was taken into custody after a brief stand-off with police near the unit block of Eagleville

Road, Feb. 15.

Police were called to the scene at 11:39 a.m. for a report of a suspicious person. Upon arrival, the first responding officer encountered a man, later identified as Mack, in a wooded area and approached him.

According to police, Mack initially attempted to hide, but when directed to show himself, began walking towards the officer with his right hand hidden.

He then reportedly lifted his right hand to reveal an open 4-inch-long folding knife.

Mack allegedly refused to comply with police commands to disarm, walked toward the officer aggressively and said,“you’re not the police” and “this is a battlefield.”

The officer continued to order Mack to drop the knife while holding cover with his duty weapon.

Mack then backed off and reportedly walked away from the officer while continuing to make remarks about himself and police.

He reportedly made his way to a nearby field as other units descended on the scene and set up a perimeter.

Officers spoke with Mack and got him to voluntarily disarm after several minutes.

He was taken into custody without further incident and no one was injured.

In addition to aggravated assault, Mack has been charged with simple assault, possessing an instrument of crime, and reckless endangerment. Court records also show a summary offence for Mack for retail theft Feb. 13.

He was transported to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility for processing and arraignment with bail set at $5,000. A preliminary hearing before District Judge Cathleen Rebar is scheduled for March 6.