Man Tried To Stab Cop With Pole In Camden Co.: Police

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ — A man tried to stab an officer and lit an uncontrolled fire in his yard during a series of incidents earlier this month in Gloucester City, police said Wednesday.

Police were called on Jan. 18 after George Jacob cut a component of an air conditioner compressor on Princeton Avenue, which caused a toxic chemical to spray, authorities said. The caller believed Jacob, who lives on that street, was experiencing a mental health episode.

An officer recognized Jacob on nearby Nicholson Road and tried to speak to him. Jacob, 41, was carrying an American flag and two other poles, police said.

During the encounter, Jacob tried to stab the officer with a three-point pole that resembled a pitchfork and struck the officer in the face, police said. Several bystanders helped the officer arrest the man.

Further investigation revealed that Jacob started an uncontained fire in his yard, police said.

He was charged with aggravated assault of an officer, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, arson, resisting arrest and weapon-possession offenses.

Jacob was brought to the Jefferson Hospital Crisis Unit for evaluation, where he remained in police custody for nine days.

He was placed in the Camden County Correctional Facility on Tuesday, when he was cleared for incarceration, pending a detention hearing.

Jacobs has been released from jail since then, police said.