MONROE, NJ—A Monroe Township man was charged with attempted murder and a slew of other charges after an incident at his home on May 20 drew a response from more than 20 police officers from the county’s Special Operations Response Team (SORT).

Robert A. Witkowski, age 47, surrendered to police at about 12:55pm, approximately three hours after authorities were first called to the home, “following negotiations with SORT,” according to a statement from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO).

Though the MCPO’s releases do not mention which section of the sprawling 42-square-mile community the incident occurred, it is apparent that it took place at the house at 117 Federal Road.  Witkowski had barricaded himself inside the home, according to police.

New Brunswick Today obtained the MCPO’s two press releases on the incident, despite an ongoing media blackout that has resulted in all of our reporters being removed from the list of email addresses recieving the MCPO’s statements, likely in response to our adversarial coverage.

In addition to attempted murder, Witkowski was charged with aggravated assault, aggravated assault during an incident of domestic violence, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, criminal mischief, hindering his own apprehension, and “committing an offense as a previously convicted felon,” according to the MCPO.

Bail for Witkowski has been set at $350,000, according to authorities.

“A woman who was located on a second floor of the home was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where she was treated for a head injury,” reads the initial MCPO announcement.

“No shots were fired during the incident and no police officers were injured.”

Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey credited SORT as well as the Monroe Township Police Department, the Manalapan Police Department, and the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department, which provided a patrol dog.

Editor at New Brunswick Today | 732-993-9697 | editor@newbrunswicktoday.com | Website

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.