>From The Record…
Monday, September 8, 2008
Last updated: Monday September 8, 2008, EDT 4:20 PM
BY EVONNE COUTROS
STAFF WRITER
An 23-year-old unemployed man was arrested after carrying a pointed stick into a Ridgewood school this morning and threatening to kill children, police said.
A female staffer stopped Joseph Piepul as he walked through Benjamin Franklin Middle School wielding the stick around 8:30 a.m., said Ridgewood Detective William Hemmer. He apparently had entered through the front door, the detective said.
Principal Anthony Orsini and two male staffers “quickly isolated” Piepul while police were called, school officials said.
“He had no contact with children. He was in the hallway when classes had begun,” Hemmer said. “The staffer noticed him walking through, that he didn’t belong.”
When she asked what he was doing there, Piepul replied in passing that he was there to kill children, the detective said.
Piepul, who once attended the school and is known to staffers there, was taken to Bergen Regional Medical Center for evaluation. He is charged with making terroristic threats, criminal trespass, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and resisting arrest. His bail is $50,000.
Schools Superintendent Daniel Fischbein sent a letter to parents today explaining the circumstances.
“The intruder was quickly isolated by the principal and two staff members while police were called,” Fishbein wrote. “Police responded immediately, restrained the intruder, took him into custody and removed him from the property.
“Although some students may have witnessed police activity, no children came in contact with the intruder….[The] safety of our students and staff is our primary concern,” the superintendent added.
