SOUTH RIVER — Three borough pa­trolman were injured last week when they responded to a home where a man was wielding a sword.

Police said officers went to the Wil­lett Avenue home of Dominik Russer, 32, after being called there by his par­ents at 5:30 p.m. May 6. Police said that when Russer answered the door, his lower arms were covered in blood.

Patrolman Chris Flores, who re­sponded with patrolmen Joseph Castel­lano and Mario Pinto, asked Russer to allow them inside so the situation could be investigated further. Russer report­edly said, "I don’t think so," and at­tempted to punch Flores in the face, ac­cording to police.

Russer was eventually subdued with pepper spray, although police said Castellano and Pinto suffered a few scrapes and bruises in the process. Flo­res was also injured and later treated for a sprained hand, police reports said.

Russer was subsequently arrested and charged with aggravated assault, resist­ing arrest and possession of a weapon.

After speaking with Russer’s parents, police officials said they learned that Russer had been drinking before police arrived and that he had a history of men­tal illness. According to police, Russer’s parents heard their son in his room bang­ing a sword against the floor.

They said Russer was holding the sword by the blade, which caused the lacerations on his hands, police reported. The sword, which Russer’s mother placed in the garage during the alterca­tion with police, was collected by the authorities for evidence.

The Milltown Rescue Squad re­sponded to the borough’s police head­quarters on Main Street to treat Russer for his injuries. He was then transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, for further treatment before he was transported to the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, North Brunswick, and held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

— Jennifer Dome

Three officers injured in

arrest of man with sword