Man Facing Weapons Charges After Manhunt In Woods: Prosecutor

PLUMSTED, NJ — A Plumsted Township man is facing weapons charges after he fired a gun into woodpile and then hid in the woods near his home following a dispute, leading to a manhunt on Sunday.

Nicholas T. Markee, 31, has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and criminal mischief in the incident, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Plumsted police were called to a home in the New Egypt section on Sunday for a report of an irate male smashing things and firing a gun. Police found Markee armed with two handguns, "waving them in the air and acting irrationally," the prosecutor's office said. "After ignoring the officer’s commands, Markee fled into a wooded area behind the home still armed."

Residents of the home told police Markee had fired one of the handguns into a woodpile behind the house.

Police searched but could not find Markee initially, so the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team was called in to help and a perimeter was set up. The Ocean County sheriff's office said the incident led to a heavy law enforcement presence in the area of Longswamp Road and Brynmore Road.

Markee was found with the help of the Plumsted Police K-9 unit and arrested, Billhimer said.

The Plumsted Police Department and K-9 Unit were assisted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and Regional SWAT Team; the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit; the Jackson Township Police Department; the North Hanover Police Department, and the Chesterfield Township Police Department.

Nicholas T. Markee photo provided by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office