WALL – A man called police Sunday afternoon and threatened them with a firearm, police said.
Around 3:23 p.m., Wall Police Communications received a phone call from an unidentified man. He claimed to be an employee of the 7-Eleven at 1601 State Highway 35 and “did not want police officers in the parking lot,” police said.
According to authorities, the man then stated that he was retrieving a firearm before ending the phone call.
Police immediately responded, temporarily closing the store and clearing the premises to safeguard the public and employees.
Ultimately, the threat was determined to be unsubstantiated. The caller was identified as 27-year-old Erick Perez from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and formerly of Belmar, New Jersey. A warrant was issued and he was charged with False Public Alarm, a third-degree crime. He was also found to have an additional active warrant out of Howell Township, police said.
That night, Perez turned himself in at Wall Township Police Headquarters and was lodged at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution.
“This incident serves as a reminder that making threats, even those intended as hoaxes, is a serious crime with severe consequences,” Wall Police said.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Patrolman Driscoll at 732-449-4500 ext. 1206.
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
