Dauphin County Man Arrested for Threatening Police with Knife

Efrain Valentin charged with aggravated assault after incident at Karns Food Market

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:06pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police officer's hand holding a folding knife against a pitch-black background, conveying the tense and dangerous nature of the confrontation between law enforcement and the armed suspect.A tense confrontation between police and an armed suspect exposes the risks officers face when attempting to apprehend individuals with outstanding warrants.Hershey Today

Efrain Valentin, a 49-year-old man from Hummelstown, Dauphin County, has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault of a police officer, simple assault, resisting arrest, and drug possession. The charges stem from an incident on the morning of April 2 where police officers spotted Valentin at a local grocery store and attempted to apprehend him, leading to a confrontation where Valentin allegedly pulled out a knife and threatened the officers.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the risks and challenges police officers face when attempting to arrest individuals with outstanding warrants, especially when the suspects may be armed and willing to escalate the situation. It also raises questions about mental health resources and de-escalation tactics that could be employed in such confrontations.

The details

According to the Derry Township Police Department, officers were actively searching for Valentin after his family had reported him missing. When police spotted him at the Karns Food Market, they attempted to identify him, but Valentin allegedly walked away. As more officers arrived on the scene, the original officer tried to prevent Valentin from leaving, at which point Valentin is said to have pulled out a knife and threatened the responding officers. The officer then drew his Taser, and after some resistance, police were able to take Valentin into custody.

  • The incident occurred on the morning of April 2, 2026.
  • Valentin had an active arrest warrant for failing to appear in court prior to this incident.

The players

Efrain Valentin

A 49-year-old man from Hummelstown, Dauphin County, who was arrested and charged with aggravated assault of a police officer, simple assault, resisting arrest, and drug possession.

Derry Township Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and apprehended Valentin at the Karns Food Market.

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What’s next

Valentin will face a judge to determine if he will be held on bail or released pending his trial for the charges related to this incident.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for improved mental health resources, de-escalation training, and coordination between law enforcement and social services to safely apprehend individuals with outstanding warrants and avoid potentially violent confrontations.