Details On Aberdeen Man Who Barricaded Himself At Ken Gardens Apartments

ABERDEEN, NJ — A local man in crisis barricaded himself in Ken Gardens apartments Sunday, May 3, prompting a large police response to that area, Aberdeen Police said Wednesday.

The man was taken into police custody and criminally charged.

The incident unfolded at 5:33 p.m. Sunday, when Aberdeen Police were called to Ken Gardens for a report of a disorderly individual and crisis intervention incident.

Upon arrival, officers encountered an adult man who police say was refusing to cooperate with responding officers. Police say the man was trying to ignite flammable materials inside the home.

The man was taken into custody and transported to Bayshore Medical Center for evaluation. Michael Giovanniello, 53, of Aberdeen Township, was charged with:

• Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer
• Throwing Bodily Fluid at a Law Enforcement Officer
• Related offenses

During the incident, one officer was exposed to bodily fluids and later received medical evaluation and treatment before being released.

"During the incident, officers were confronted with volatile and hazardous conditions while working to protect nearby residents and safely bring the situation under control," said the police department. "Despite the dangerous circumstances, officers were able to safely take the individual into custody without serious injury to residents or responding officers."

The Aberdeen Police Department said it would like to recognize Patrolman Robert Galati, Patrolman Jose Veliz, Patrolman Liam Gallagher and Patrolman Anthony Babek for their handling of the incident.