Church Threat Probe In Union County Leads To Arrest

CLARK, NJ — A Florida man has been charged following an investigation into a reported threat involving a church and school in Union County earlier this year, authorities said. (Read the initial story here)

According to the Clark Police Department, officers received information on March 10 about a possible threat directed at St. John’s Church on Valley Road in Clark. Police said the threat was posted on Facebook, prompting an investigation involving the Clark Police Detective Bureau, Patrol Division and the Linden Police Department.

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As a precaution, St. John’s School was temporarily placed on lockdown while officers worked to identify the suspect and determine his location, police said.

Authorities said the investigation later led to charges against a 58-year-old Florida resident. The man was charged April 27 with third-degree false public alarm and processed at Clark Police Headquarters, according to police.

Officials said the defendant is scheduled to appear in Union County Superior Court in June.

Police noted that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.