Man charged on knife threat KEYPORT — Bar owner Joseph Merla apprehended two nine-inch knives from a patron who had earlier threatened one of his employees at the Bulkhead Bar and Grill, West Front Street, on Dec. 30, police said. Sixty-year-old Donald Toner, of Beers Street, was “highly intoxicated” at the time of the incident, said Keyport Police Detective Lt. Thomas Mitchell. “I think he might be diabetic,” said Mitchell. “He’s not used to drinking. We never had a problem with him before.” According to Mitchell, Toner “had gotten thrown out of the bar earlier. That evening, he made a phone call threatening the manager. He went back with the knives. He didn’t do anything with the knives. Somebody asked him for them and he put them on the bar.” Merla, brother of Mayor John Merla, notified police at 7:51 p.m. after Toner allegedly fled from the bar. A patrolman located the subject only a few storefronts away on West Front Street. A few hours earlier, at 1:31 p.m., Toner was accused of assaulting his cleaning woman using “just his hands,” said Mitchell, who added the victim is now well. After Merla transported the knives to headquarters, Toner was arrested on assault charges. He later posted his bail, which was set at $5,000 with no 10 percent option.