NASHUA – A 22-year-old local man’s alleged sudden outburst at an East Side laundromat led to a few anxious moments for patrons, one of whom, police said, was threatened with a knife.

Taken into custody shortly after police arrived was Kalif A. Brooks, last known address of 40 Chestnut St., who was charged with offenses that accuse him of not only physical aggression, but verbal as well, according to police reports.

A Superior Court judge ordered Brooks held in jail on preventive detention, but gave him the option of requesting a bail review hearing, which would take place today.

The charges filed against Brooks include a felony count of criminal threatening, along with one count each of criminal mischief, reckless conduct, and disorderly conduct, all misdemeanors.

According to police, officers were sent to the laundromat after receiving reports of a disorderly man with a knife, and upon arrival located him and tried to talk to him.

When they asked him what happened, the man, later identified as Brooks, didn’t answer, police said. Instead, he allegedly continued to yell at bystanders, at one point asking them “what the (expletive) are you looking at?”

He allegedly asked a woman, “Are you smiling at me? I’ll stab you,” according to police.

They said another woman told officers that Brooks, while holding onto a knife, allegedly threatened to stab her. There was no contact, and nobody was hurt, police said.

At some point, Brooks was outside the laundromat allegedly throwing rocks at passing cars – one of which he hit, causing damage to a door, police said.

Witnesses said he was allegedly yelling “I’ll kill you” and “I’ll stab you” while allegedly throwing the rocks, police said.

Dean Shalhoup can be reached at 594-1256, dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_DeanS.