Machete-Wielding Man Charged After Menacing Pedestrians On Lakewood Street: Police

LAKEWOOD, NJ — A Lakewood man has been arrested after menacing pedestrians with a machete in downtown Lakewood on Monday, police said Tuesday.

Max M. Sanchez, 22, is being held at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River on charges of assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith said.

Police were called to Forest Avenue and 6th Street about 11:30 p.m., where five people said a man approached them, brandishing the machete, Staffordsmith said.

The man did not make any specific threats to any of the victims, Staffordsmith said, but his menacing behavior made them afraid they were about to be injured or harmed. All of the victims fled from Sanchez, he said.

Staffordsmith said that while Sanchez was in a neighborhood where many Orthodox Jewish families live, there was nothing that indicated he was menacing them based on their religious beliefs.

The victims gave police a detailed description of Sanchez and he was arrested quickly, without incident, Staffordsmith said. The machete also was recovered.

"The Lakewood Police Department would like to thank members of Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch/Shomrim who were present in the area and assisted in his apprehension," Staffordsmith said. "In addition, we would like to recognize and credit the victims for their efforts in providing pertinent information all while seeking a position of safety."

Staffordsmith said the investigation is continuing and investigators are looking into several unrelated cases in which Sanchez may have some involvement.

"Despite the Lakewood Police Department's best efforts to provide excellent service, we strongly remind our citizens that if they See Something, Say Something," he said.