Police Detain Man Near Protest

Police detained a man Saturday afternoon near the Middletown Township “No Kings” protest after receiving reports that he may have brandished a handgun.

The incident happened around 12:30 p.m. at the Summit Trace shopping center. It prompted a significant police response but largely left the ongoing protest uninterrupted.

Officers, who were already in the area for the demonstration involving approximately 1,500 people, quickly converged on the shopping center near the Rite Aid following the 9-1-1 call about a possible man with a gun.

Police stopped a black Jeep near the Giant Food Store and quickly took the man inside into handcuffs. He was then led to a patrol car while officers, detectives, and a police K-9 unit searched the vehicle.

Officers began canvassing the area for witnesses.

Middletown Township Police Chief Joseph Bartorilla stated that no charges had been filed as of mid-afternoon.

The protest, which took place in the shopping center and along the Newtown Bypass, proceeded without incident.

Law enforcement agencies present included Middletown Township and Newtown Township police, as well as the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office. Officers from the multi-agency Bucks County Major Incident Response Team were also on standby.

The incident came after a concerning Facebook post surfaced on Friday from an older Levittown man who claimed the “No Kings” protests would escalate into riots and stated it “be a good time for target practice.”