Police from neighboring Jackson Township arrested a man carrying multiple weapons during a recital on Saturday, Jackson PD announced today. At approximately 1:56 pm, the Jackson Police Department received a call in reference to a suspicious person. School security officers working at a recital at the Memorial High School had asked a male subject who was acting suspiciously to leave the property. Because of the subject’s behavior, a call was then made to the department to investigate further.

Police Officers Craig Lindenberg and Stephen Cilento responded and located the male subject walking on Don Conner Boulevard a short distance from the school and confirmed that he had just been at the school. As the officers spoke with the male, it was observed that there was some kind of holster protruding from the bottom of the subject’s pants leg. Further investigation revealed that the male had a machete which was approximately two feet long, concealed in a sheath secured to his leg under his pants.

The officers also recovered a large folding knife, a small folding knife, a stun gun, metal knuckles and a container of oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray from the subject. The male was then placed under arrest without incident and was transported to police headquarters for processing.

Police arrested Lawrence P. Northrup, age 53 of Manchester, New Jersey. He was processed and charged with multiple charges of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a prohibited weapon/device and possession of a weapon in a school.

It is unknown why Mr. Northrup was at the high school or why he had the listed items in his possession. No threats were reportedly made to anyone at the school.

During processing, Mr. Northrup made an attempt to harm himself and had to be restrained by the officers. He was later transported to an area hospital for treatment and evaluation. [TLS]