Standoff At Toms River ShopRite Ends Peacefully: Police

TOMS RIVER, NJ -- (Updated 10:30 p.m.) An emotionally disturbed man was taken into custody Tuesday evening after an hourlong standoff with police that resulted in a lockdown of businesses including ShopRite, Toms River police said.

The incident began when Seaside Heights police put out an alert that an emotionally disturbed man might be traveling through Toms River, said Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River Police Department.

At 8:30 p.m., Toms River Police Officer Shan Ruiz found the 39-year-old man traveling on Route 37 in a GMC Acadia and activated his emergency lights in an attempt to pull him over, Stocco said, but the man would not stop.

Instead, the man continued on Route 37 until he finally pulled into the ShopRite parking lot at the Crossroads Center at the intersection of Route 37 and Route 166, Stocco said. In addition to the ShopRite, there is a Buffalo Wild Wings and a Panera restaurant nearby.

In the parking lot, the man refused to get out of his car and was observed to be in a highly agitated state, Stocco said. The man, who has been recently residing in Seaside Heights, was now parked near the businesses, he said.

Stocco could not immediately confirm reports that the man had a weapon but said officers were very concerned about that possibility and acted with an abundance of caution, which included asking all of the businesses to keep customers and employees inside while police talked to the man.

A witness who was among those locked down at ShopRite told the Patch they saw a few police cars at first.

"All of a sudden a bunch more rolled up, and we were told we were on lockdown," the witness said.

Stocco said police maintained a dialogue with the man for more than an hour before taking him into custody at 9:46 p.m.

Witnesses told the Patch police used a flash grenade to disorient the man so they could remove him from the vehicle.

Stocco said the man is being evaluated at a local hospital.

In addition to the Toms River police officers on the scene, Stocco said, "the Seaside Heights Police Department was directly involved in bringing this situation to a safe conclusion. The police dispatchers of both departments should also be commended for the behind-the-scenes support that was given."

"We also want to thank all of the businesses, employees and patrons for the patience and cooperation they gave us," Stocco said.

The lockdown ended shortly before 10 p.m., the witness said.

(Photos courtesy of Patch reader Scott)