Lacey Man Arrested After Threatening New China Cafe Workers

Lacey police arrested a township man late Friday night after he confronted employees of the New China Cafe and forced his way the restaurant, Police Chief David A. Paprota said.

Police responded to the restaurant at 336 Lacey Road at 10:01 p.m. on a report of a possible armed robbery. Instead the incident turned out to be a neighborhood dispute. New China employees were taking out the garbage and closing up for the night when they were confronted by James Darby, 50, Briggs Avenue, who lives behind the building, the chief said.

The employees fled into the rear of the restaurant because Darby appeared to be intoxicated and was behaving in a threatening manner. He forced his way into the building and pulled an item from his pocket, which turned out to be a black flashlight, and pointed it at one of the employees, Paprota said.

Briggs then fled the store through the rear door and was last seen behind the plaza. Sgt. Paul Sullivan located Darby adjacent to the plaza. Darby was arrested without incident, the chief said.

Darby was charged with burglary and terroristic threats. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.