A man arrested carrying an 18-inch machete faces charges in five commercial burglaries in the borough, police said Friday.
Sharod R. Benjamin, 24 (Photo: Fort Lee Police Department)
Sharod R. Benjamin, 24, of Teaneck, remained held at the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail after his arrest last month, according to sheriff's office records.
Police responded to a report of a man with a gun and found Benjamin, who matched a description from the call, walking in the parking lot of a Route 4 motel, department spokesman Capt. Stanley Zon said in a statement.
Detective Thomas Keelen identified himself as a police officer, the captain said.
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"As [Keelen] approached, Benjamin circled around the detective, bladed his body in a fighting stance, and refused to take his hands out of his pockets," Zon added.
Benjamin ignored repeated orders to show his hands, the captain said. He quickly put his hands to his waistband before the detective and Sgt. Cory Horton secured his arms to prevent him from grabbing a weapon.
Police Officer Dillon Turner frisked Benjamin and discovered the large knife with a black handle in his waistband, according to Zon. The search also revealed unspecified items stolen in five break-ins.
Detectives later charged Benjamin in burglaries and thefts between Oct. 19 and Oct. 26, Zon said. Those cases were all reported around 2000 Bigler Street. He was also charged with weapons offenses.
Police asked anyone who has seen Benjamin in the area or has more information about other recent burglaries to call detectives at 201-592-3510.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
