Man Arrested for Allegedly Wielding Knife at Target

Plymouth Township Police arrested a Conshohocken man earlier this month after he allegedly removed a six-inch knife from the packaging while in Target.

Edward J. Swider III, 46, of the 200 block of West Sixth Avenue, was arrested July 7 at about 4:30 p.m. in Target on Chemical Road. According to police, several customers reached out to the store's loss prevention officer, as they felt concerned about Swider's behavior.

When police arrived, they ordered Swider to drop the knife several times. According to police, Swider did not reply, and Swider was “holding the knife in a [manner] that would be easy for him to attack police … with civilians in the area.”

Swider ultimately dropped the knife after police threatened to taze him, police said.

According to police, Swider showed signs of possible mental illness; he was confused and unaware of his surroundings.

Police said that Swider had been harassing a 21-year-old Target employee, verbally accosting the victim after several demands to stop. Swider also recently walked into Five Guys Burgers and Fries in the 200 block of Ridge Pike and became disruptive, refusing to leave the restaurant. 

Swider was charged with aggravated assault and related charges. He’s scheduled to be formally arraigned Aug. 28 at 9:30 a.m.