Man Threw Knives, Molotov Cocktails At Gloucester Twp. Police: PD

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A Clementon man was arrested on Sunday following a five-hour standoff in which Gloucester Township police say he threw molotov cocktails and knives at them.

It all began when police showed up at a home on Lawncrest Lane in Clementon to tow a car that was inoperable and thus committing a parking violation just before 11:30 p.m. Sunday, according to Gloucester Township police.

However, when the tow truck arrived, 33-year-old Oliver Ndemezeng opened a window on the second story of the town home and threw a bottle at the tow truck driver’s head, police said. The bottle didn’t hit the driver.

Ndemezeng then began screaming at the officer who had accompanied the tow truck driver, police said. Ndemezeng threw a glass mug at the officer, who had to duck to avoid being hit, police said.

As he hung out the window, Ndemezeng screamed obscenities and threatened the officers, police said. He then attempted to ignite a glass full of liquid police believed to be an accelerant.

As the officers tried to de-escalate the situation from the street, police say Ndemezeng continued to throw stuff at them and use a blow torch to light the window sill on fire. He then threatened to burn the officers if they towed his car, police said.

More officers arrived, and they quickly and safely removed the other family members from the home, police said. The family members told police that Ndemezeng was in a violent, manic state. They were afraid he might harm himself or burn down the home, police said.

Officers evacuated neighboring homes and established a perimeter around Ndemezeng’s home, police said. He continued to scream, and he threatened to stab the officers if they tried to come into his house, police said.

Ndemezeng then threw several knives at the officers, striking a fence near one of the officers, police said. Ndemezeng then retreated inside the home, and police say he moved furniture in order to barricade himself.

The Gloucester Township Police Special Response Team (SWAT) and Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) then responded to the scene and spent the next 4 ½ hours trying to reach Ndemezeng, police said.

They used a loud bullhorn and attempted to call him on the phone, but Ndemezeng didn’t respond, police said. However, he did periodically throw knives, ceramic plates, and automotive wrenches at the officers in the Armored Rescue Vehicle, while igniting a blow torch in the second story window, police said.

After a few hours, the Special Response Team officers were able to get into the home, but were still unable to contact Ndemezeng, police said.

Eventually, the officers found him hiding in the attic, police said. When they tried to get him to come out, he refused, began screaming loud and threatened to stab the officers, police said.

Ndemezeng began lighting debris and flammable liquid fireballs and would throw them at the officers from the attic opening, police said.

He then sprayed a liquid accelerant at the officers, while attempting to ignite it from a makeshift blow torch, police said. Officers were able to keep the house from catching fire by using fire extinguishers, police said.

Police used less lethal Pepperball Launching System projectiles to try to force him out of the attic, police said. They then used a Conductive Energy Device (CED or Taser) on him, and were able to get him out of the attic without injury, police said.

Ndemezeng was immediately treated by paramedics on the scene, police said. The Gloucester Township Fire Department then checked the home.

The residents were safely returned to their homes, police said. Assistance was provided by the Gloucester Township Police Community Relations Bureau, and the Camden County Prosecutors Office of Victim Witness Advocacy.

Gloucester Township Department of Public Works responded to the scene, cleaned the street and area, re-secured the front door of the home, police said. They also repaired the thermostat after police say Ndemezeng ripped it off the wall, for the homeowner so that heat could be restored.

“I am very proud of the incredible amount of restraint and professionalism that was demonstrated by our officers, who were directly and dangerously threatened by a very unstable and violent person,” Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins said. “This was a great team effort by all involved which resulted in the safe apprehension of someone who was threatening himself and others.”

Ndemezeng was transported to the hospital by EMS for medical evaluation, police said. He was charged with second-degree aggravated arson, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, two counts of third-degree aggravated assault, two counts of third-degree possession of a destructive weapon, two counts of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth-degree obstruction of the administration of justice and criminal mischief.