Florida Man Tries To Stab NJ Cops With Pen At Hotel, Police Say

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A Florida man who tried to eat food off of hotel diners' plates and tried to stab a police officer with a pen in Morris County was arrested, according to authorities.

On Oct. 14, Hanover police were called to the Marriott Hotel on Route 10, following a report that a man, later identified as Michael Markle, 37, of Miami Beach, was trying to eat food off of hotel diners’ plates and refusing to leave.

Authorities said that Markle was "clearly under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS)."

When police tried to detain Markle, he resisted, and several uncapped hypodermic needles fell onto the floor, police said.

During the struggle, Markle picked up one of the arresting officers' pens and tried to stab him with it, according to authorities.

Officers pepper-sprayed Markle and were eventually able to handcuff and arrest him, authorities said.

Markle, along with three other officers, was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for injuries.

Markle was charged with criminal trespass, obstruction of law, being under the influence of CDS, possession of methamphetamine, resisting arrest, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

He was taken to Morris County Jail once released from the hospital to await court proceedings.