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Kyle Lerdo, 26, was sitting at a booth in the Burger King on Paterson Avenue when Officers Jason Colombo and Mark Wong -- responding to an "unwanted person" call -- approached him, Police Chief Thomas Nielsen said.
He was holding a ratchet handle, the chief said.
"Officer Colombo told Lerdo to drop the items and keep his hands visible, but he did not and became agitated towards the officers," Nielsen said. He "lowered the tool, then produced a dark-colored punch tool."
Colombo again ordered Lerdo to comply, but he ran toward an exit, the chief said.
The officers intercepted Lerdo, who pointed the knife at them, he said.
So they sprayed him.
Lerdo -- who records show has previous arrests on drug, burglary and theft charges -- was carrying 37 decks of heroin, the needles, a small amount of pot and drug paraphernalia, the chief said.
Nielsen praised his officers for "using great restraint" under the circumstances.
Lerdo, meanwhile, was orderered held on $33,000 bail on various drug an weapons possession counts, in addition to aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting, hindering and disorderly conduct.
A first Municipal Court appearance was set for this coming Thursday.
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