ABSECON, NJ — An armed barricade at Absecon's Sports Complex ended safely Monday after a roughly three-hour multi-agency police response, according to the Absecon Police Department.
Police said officers were asked shortly after 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 26 to help the Egg Harbor Township Police Department locate a suspect wanted in connection with an arson investigation.
Police identified the man as Robert McNeill, 55, of Egg Harbor Township. According to the department, officers found him at the Sports Complex at 1000 Morton Ave., where he was armed with a handgun, threatened suicide and barricaded himself inside his vehicle.
Because of those circumstances, additional resources were called in, according to the department, including Atlantic County SWAT, crisis negotiators and mental health professionals. The surrounding area was secured, nearby residents were evacuated and Absecon schools in the area were placed on shelter-in-place status, according to police, "to ensure the safety of students and staff."
The department said the incident was resolved after about three hours when McNeill surrendered without incident. In a statement released after the response, the department acknowledged the disruption caused across the area.
"The Absecon Police Department recognizes that this incident caused significant disruption to residents and understandably generated questions and concerns throughout the community," the department said. "These precautionary measures were taken to protect the public while officers and assisting personnel worked to bring the situation to a safe resolution. We appreciate the public's patience, cooperation, and understanding throughout the incident."
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