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SOMERVILLE, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Somerville Chief of Police Dennis Manning announced the arrest of Celeste E. Jensen, age 31, Brookside Avenue, Somerville, New Jersey.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at approximately 4:47 p.m. Somerville Police responded to a police call for service reporting a female at the Brookside Apartments brandished a handgun to construction workers performing maintenance work at the Apartments.
Responding Officers made contact with the male victim who provided information to responding officers that a female, subsequently identified as Celeste E. Jensen had exited her apartment and began shouting obscenities at the worker before pointing a handgun at him and then retreating back into her apartment.
Responding Somerville Officers attempted to make contact with the female victim who refused to acknowledge the presence of Somerville Police Officers outside of her apartment. Somerville Police Officers were subsequently successful with making cellular telephone contact with a male resident of the apartment and following a brief conversation the occupants did not comply with the Officers to come outside of their apartment in regards to the on-going investigation of pointing a firearm at an individual.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that Somerville Police along with Officers from Raritan Borough Police Department and Bridgewater Township Police Department responded and initiated a perimeter while attempting to make contact with the occupants of the apartment. Some residents directly affected near the apartment were temporarily evacuated during the duration of the incident. Somerville Police activated the Somerset County Emergency Response Team which consisted of the Somerset County SWAT team, Crisis Negotiators Team, Tactical Emergency Medical personnel, Somerset County Field Communications, and Somerville Fire. It was determined that the male resident had three (3) registered firearms.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that at approximately 6:15 p.m. Somerset County SWAT responded and established command and control of the incident. Following numerous attempts at approximately 8:30 p.m. Crisis Negotiators were successful in establishing contact with the occupants and successfully negotiated with them to exit the apartment. At approximately 8:45 p.m. defendant Jensen exited the apartment unarmed and was taken into custody by SWAT officers. The male resident subsequently exited the residence without incident.
The scene was then turned back over to Somerville Police. A Somerset County Superior Court ordered search warrant was executed which resulted in three (3) firearms and (1) shotgun being seized from the apartment.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that defendant Jensen was charged with second degree Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose and second degree Aggravated Assault. Defendant Jensen was lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a bail detention hearing. The male occupant of the residence was not charged.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor and Chief Manning request anyone with information relating to this incident to contact the Somerville Police Department at (908) 725-0331 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.