Mahwah Police Find Man With Loaded Gun After Woman Files Restraining Order: Cops

MAHWAH, NJ — After a Mahwah woman filed for a restraining order on Thursday, police escorted her home — and came upon the suspect inside his car with a loaded gun, police say.

Police said that they responded to a report of a "disturbance" in a Mahwah home on Thursday.

The woman inside told police that twice recently, a man had assaulted her and placed her in a chokehold so that her breathing and blood flow were restricted.

Then man had already left by the time police arrived, they said.

The woman then went to police headquarters to apply for a restraining order, which was granted.

Police also filed strangulation and assault charges against the man.

Officer Joseph Alvarez decided to escort the woman home for her safety, police said.

When the pair arrived, Alvarez spotted the suspect sitting inside his car, police said. Alvarez asked for backup.

Police took Jason Butler, 26, of Wurtsboro, N.Y., into custody. They found a loaded gun and crack cocaine inside the car, police said.

Alvarez was charged with additional weapons and drug offenses.

He was turned over to the Bergen County Sheriff's Office to await a Superior Court hearing.

In recent years, New Jersey has increased penalties for strangulation, as experts say it's often a precursor to intimate partner killings. Read more about that here.