Crime Nearby: Man Arrested in Standoff Claimed He Was Jesus Christ

The man who barricaded himself inside a Brighton Avenue home and got involved in a long standoff with the Long Branch Police on Monday is facing several charges.

Robert Powers Jr. was arrested and charged with simple assault, criminal restraint, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and making terroristic threats. His bail was set at $32,500, and he was taken to Monmouth Medical Center for psychiatric screening, according to Long Branch Director of Public Safety Jason Roebuck.

Police responded to a call of a fight between Powers Jr. and his father Robert Powers Sr. at 121 Brighton Ave. at approximately 5 p.m. on Monday.

"When officers Wagner, Umana and Eskridge arrived, they heard were told one subject threatened to kill the other, and then dragged the other subject back into the house," Roebuck said in a release. "They approached the house and knocked on the door, which was opened by (Powers Sr.), who was bleeding from a head wound."

Powers Sr. told the officers he was attacked by his son and he was removed from the residence to be treated for his head wound.

Powers Jr. was still in the home and confronted the officers with a switchblade knife, and the officers drew their service weapons, and backed out of the residence to take Powers Sr to safety, Roebuck said.

He said Powers Jr advanced toward the officers and yelled out that he was “Jesus Christ” and the “second coming of the Satanic Christ," Roebuck said.

Officers set up a perimeter around the house when Powers Jr. went back inside.  He continued to taunt the officers and told them he was going to kill them and asking them to kill him. Powers Jr. also used profanity and racist remarks while confronting police, Roebuck said.

The Monmouth County Emergency Response Team (MOCERT), West Long Branch Police, Long Branch Fire and First Aid were also called to scene and numerous off duty officers also arrived to assist.

Roebuck said a perimeter was set up around the house so Powers Jr. could not escape.

"Powers Jr continued to yell incoherently, and also brandished a machete inside the house," Roebuck said. "He also pretended to make a Molotov cocktail with some sort of liquid and a wick, although we believe the substance was just water, as he later drank it."

Roebuck said MOCERT was unable to negotiate with Powers Jr. to leave the residence peacefully even after using OC gas. OC gas is used by police in certain situations and has effects similar to pepper spray.

After several hours MOCERT entered the house and arrested Powers Jr. Police also recovered a switchblade and machete from the house.

Roebuck said no one was seriously injured during this event.

"The Long Branch Police would like to thank everyone who sent resources to  this event, including the West Long Branch PD and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s office for helping to resolve this peacefully," Roebuck said.