TOMS RIVER – There were tense moments Tuesday night as police were called to a township home after an erratic male barricaed himself inside with weapons, authorities said.
Toms River Township Police Spokesperson Jillian Messina confirmed the incident happened a little after 4 p.m. on October 12 at the home on Patmas Drive. Messina said officers responded to a report that an emotionally disturbed male was acting erratically in the home armed with a bat and knives.
When the police arrived, the family members in the home were evacuated safely while the officers formed a perimeter around the property for the safety of the neighborhood.
According to Messina, the male opened the front door holding a bat and large knife, and after failing to obey officer’s commands, he slammed it shut and refused to come out.
The Toms River Police Emergency Services Unit and Detective negotiators responded to the scene and made contact with him over the phone.
A tactical team entered the house and was able to take the male into protective custody.
He was then transported to Community Medical Center for further treatment.
There were no reported injuries during the incident.
Police added that these types of calls are unpredictable and extremely dangerous and the police thanked all of the first responders on the scene for their professionalism and commitment to the safety of everyone involved.
Members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office also arrived at the scene to aid the situation.
