Police: Jackson Street Man Found With Machete

Kevin Rucker, 38, of Jackson Street, was arrested at 10:20 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16 after he was allegedly found in possession of a machete, according to Freehold Borough Police Department records.

The department received a call from a resident reporting that Rucker was going to fight another individual and had a knife, Lt. Mark Wodell said. Patrolman Brian Ruegger stopped Rucker on Center Street. During a search, the officer reported finding Rucker in possession of machete with an 18-inch blade hidden in his pants. A rock-like substance believed to be cocaine was also found in a folded one-dollar bill on Rucker’s person, according to the arrest warrent.

Rucker was charged with possession of a weapon, possession of controlled dangerous substance and possession of a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of a public park, specifically Vinyard Park. Rucker was also charged with contempt of court for an outstanding warrant.

Bail on the weapons and substance charges was set at $30,000. Rucker’s bail on the outstanding warrant from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office was set at $41,368, according to Wodell.

The date of Rucker’s initial court appearance was set for Monday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m.