Alleged Gunpoint Hostage Situation Leads To Arrest In Bedminster: Cops

BEDMINSTER, NJ — A Bedminster man was charged after he called police claiming he had a gun to someone's head, said police.

On Friday, Feb. 9, a man, later identified as Jerry L. Weikel Jr., 35, of Bedminster Township, called Bedminster Township Police Department dispatch saying that he had a gun to someone's head, said Bedminster Police Chief Francesco Bernardo.

Bedminster Township Police Department along with members of the Far Hills Boro, Peapack and Gladstone and Bernards Township Police Department went to the Mayfield Section of the Hills Condominium Complex. The Somerset County SWAT Team was activated.

Officers saw Weikel in the front door of one of the units waving what appeared to be a handgun in the direction of the officers, said Bernardo.

Officers talked with Weikel and later determined he was holding a power tool in his hand. Weikel then went inside the home and locked the door, said Bernardo.

Officers breached the front door and later placed Weikel under arrest before the arrival of SWAT.

He was charged with terroristic threats (third-degree), unlawful possession of a weapon (fourth-degree), possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose (third-degree), false public alarms (third-degree), criminal mischief (disorderly persons offense) and resisting arrest (disorderly persons offense).

Weikel was later taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a bail detention hearing in this matter. There were no reported injuries.

Bernardo requests anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the Bedminster Township Police Department at 908-234-0585 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free of charge at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code:SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stopper's Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper's tips will be kept confidential.

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