Mercer Man Released From Jail Enters Ex's Home, Threatens Her With Knife: Police

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – A Mercer County man, recently released from jail, entered the home of his ex-girlfriend and threatened her with a knife, Robbinsville Police said.

Around 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Robbinsville Police received a phone call from a concerned family member that a woman's ex-boyfriend, Anthony L. Pope, 31, of Robbinsville, had broken into her apartment.

The caller further said that Pope was recently released from jail and had trashed the residence, was in possession of a knife, and made alarming statements, including threats of “suicide by cop” and a refusal to return to jail.

Officers immediately responded to the scene. On arrival, officers learned that the accused had already fled the area on foot into a wooded area. An incident command post was established, and officers secured a perimeter around the area.

The Robbinsville Police Drone Unit deployed a drone to begin a grid search for the accused. Additional resources were requested, law enforcement agencies from neighboring towns and the county responded.

Tracking K-9 units from the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, West Windsor Police, and the New Jersey State Police also assisted in the search.

An alert member of the Springside at Robbinsville Neighborhood Watch Group reported that he saw Pope in the backyard of one of the homes.

Around 10:24 a.m., Pope was found and apprehended without incident in the backyard of a residence on Thomas Drive.

Pope was charged with kidnapping 2nd degree, criminal restraint 3rd degree, terroristic threats 3rd degree, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes 3rd degree, criminal mischief 4th degree and other offenses.

He was taken to the Robbinsville Police Department for processing and transferred to the Mercer County Correctional Facility.

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