Man Pleads Guilty In Lakewood Town Hall Stabbing

LAKEWOOD, NJ — A Lakewood man has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in the February stabbing of another Lakewood resident at town hall, the Ocean County prosecutor's office announced.

Reginald Patillo, 48, of Lakewood, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Michael T. Collins to counts of aggravated assault and aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer in the Feb. 7 attack, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Patillo is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 10, 2020, with a recommendation for 10 years in prison, he said.

Patillo attacked the man, whom police described as an elderly Jewish man, about 11 a.m on Feb. 7 as the man got on an elevator on the second floor. He stabbed the man multiple times in the neck and head in what authorities said was a random attack.

Municipal workers heard the altercation and sounded a panic alarm, and Lakewood police responded. They found Patillo sitting in a chair and as they questioned him, he attacked, punching one of the officers in the face. Patillo was subdued and arrested; authorities said a folded knife fell out of Patillo's waistband during the struggle and was recovered.

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