Lower Twp Police Arrest Man with a Knife; Charge Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer

The following is based on information received from a law enforcement agency. The person(s) named is innocent until proven otherwise in court.
 VILLAS – Lower Township Police received a report of a suspicious person throwing items at a residence on Oregon Avenue March 31 at about 9:44 p.m.  
According to a release, upon arrival Patrol Officer William Kocis was advised by the complainant that a small-framed, possibly Hispanic male, wearing a black T-shirt with a white Nike symbol, was throwing items at her residence.
 Kocis investigated the damage to the residence and radioed the description of the individual to Cape May County Dispatch.  
Shortly after leaving the residence, Kocis located an individual who matched that description walking in the area of States and Tennessee avenues, a short distance from the original complaint.  
Kocis left his marked patrol vehicle and attempted to investigate further by speaking to the individual.  
The male refused to speak with the officer and attempted to walk away.  The officer continued to question the suspect about the initial complaint.  
The subject, who was later identified as Zachary T. Piccioni, 21, of Villas, allegedly lunged at the officer and slashed at the officer’s abdomen area with a large knife.  
The officer was able to avoid being cut as he stepped back and drew his duty weapon.   
Piccioni then walked away from the officer and continued to hold the knife.  Kocis continuously ordered Piccioni to show his hands, stop, and drop the weapon.  Piccioni finally dropped the knife but fled on foot.
Additional officers assisted in attempting to locate the suspect, who had jumped a fence heading north and then east towards a wooded area.   
Details of the suspect’s clothing description and direction of travel were updated over the police radio.  
Officers searched parallel streets to the north and were able, within minutes, to locate the suspect on Greenwood Avenue.  Patrol Supervisor Cpl. Ryan Hansberry, arrived as the officers located the suspect.  
Piccioni continued to be uncooperative, and refused to take his hand out of his pocket. Officers were able to distract the suspect and successfully apprehended him without any injuries.
 Piccioni was transported to Lower Township Police headquarters, where he was evaluated by Lower Township Rescue.  
He was processed and subsequently charged with aggravated assault; possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose; unlawful possession of a weapon; resisting arrest by physical force; resisting arrest; and criminal mischief.  
He was placed on a warrant and lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility awaiting further adjudication.