Howell Movie Theater Employee Said He Had A Second Grenade: Police

HOWELL, NJ — A Manchester Township man is facing charges after police found a grenade and two handguns in his car outside the Xscape Theatre in Howell Friday night, which led to an evacuation of 500 people from the theater for three hours Friday night, Howell police said Saturday.

Jacob Cavanaugh, 24, of Manchester, an employee of the 14-screen Xscape Theatre, 5361 Route 9, has been charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a handgun (2C:39-5b) second degree, and possession of hollow point ammunition, police said.

Police said the items were discovered thanks to a movie theater employee who spoke up and a manager who contacted police.

"Howell Police are thankful to Xscape management, who took the proactive approach notifying our officer," police said.

A manager at the movie theater approached Howell Police Officer Stephanie Regina, who was working a routine security detail at the theater, about a report from another employee who said Cavanaugh showed him guns in his car earlier in the week, police said.

At that point Regina approached Cavanaugh and while talking with him was alerted by police communications that he had active arrest warrants from Milltown Municipal Court for failure to appear on a drug paraphernalia charge and township ordinance violation and from Hazlet Township Municipal Court for driving while suspended, police said.

Officers located Cavanaugh’s car, a 2008 Kia Rio, in the parking lot and saw what appeared to be a safe and a tactical vest inside. Cavanaugh gave officers consent to search it, and officers found two revolvers, one of which was loaded with hollow-point ammunition. The other was unloaded, police said.

Also located was a hand grenade. Upon discovery of the hand grenade, the movie theater was immediately evacuated at the direction of Sgt. Michael Popek and about 500 patrons escorted to a safe location, police said.

The evacuation was undertaken because Cavanaugh had access to the theater and claimed he had another grenade, police said.

"And we were not taking the chance an accomplice was involved and was inside the theater," police said in the news release.

The evacuation was made quickly and efficiently in part because off-duty Howell Police Detective David Gilliland was in the theater watching a movie. He identified himself and coordinated the evacuation. The parking lot was shut down at all access points, police said.

The New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad responded to the scene and determined the hand grenade to be inert, meaning the explosive removed had been removed. The movie theater was checked and no other devices or suspicious items were located, police said.

Cavanaugh, who was arrested at 8:20 p.m., was taken to headquarters and ultimately transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institute after processing. His vehicle was impounded pending forfeiture proceedings, police said.

"At this time we do not believe Cavanaugh had any intentions to harm anyone," police said. "He made unsubstantiated claims he was involved in law enforcement. He was cooperative throughout the investigation."

Cavanaugh's Facebook page lists him as having studied law enforcement at Regent University and he has posted several photos with members of the military, though the occasion where they were taken is not clear.

"We are also thankful for the exceptional conduct of the patrons. Everyone took this seriously and followed management and officer directions. We truly appreciate it," police said.

Photo via Howell Police