Cops: Long Valley Man Threatened Ex-Girlfriend With Knife After Stealing Car

The Long Valley man who created a major scare throughout his hometown, setting off a manhunt by local, county, and state officials for much of Monday afternoon, has been arrested after threatening his ex-girlfriend with a weapon and stealing a car, police said.

The Fawnridge Drive area was put into an informal lockdown situation just after 1 p.m. Monday, when Ryan Brennan’s parents called to alert authorities their adult son left the home with a knife and was threatening self-harm, Washington Township Police Lt. Doug Compton said.

Brennan, 29, eluded the search for several hours when he stole a GMC Sierra from a Drakestown Road home and fled to Sussex County, according to New Jersey State Police Sgt. Jeff Flynn.

Related Story: Knife-Wielding Man Sought in Long Valley Neighborhood

Brennan ended up at his ex-girlfriend’s house in Sussex Borough where he broke in, Flynn said, entering the home with the knife. Family members inside were able to contact police and state troopers arrived on scene where Brennan was arrested.

The search in Long Valley lasted until nightfall, which was then followed up by door-to-door searches of homes in Washington Township and Hackettstown where Brennan may have been hiding out, Compton said.

Brennan was charged with burglary, aggravated assault, criminal restraint, terroristic threats, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, endangering the welfare of a child, receiving stolen property, contempt of court, and criminal mischief.

He’s been lodged in Sussex County Jail on $200,000 bail with no 10-percent option.

Pictured: Ryan Brennan. Photo Courtesy New Jersey State Police.

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