Stalker With Handgun Found Near Oakland Elementary School: Police

OAKLAND, N.J. — A Kentucky man was arrested after police found a handgun in a car near Manito Elementary School Friday, police said.

Sgt. Timothy Keenan and Officer Gary Gusterson investigated a report of a suspicious man who had allegedly been at Manito Elementary School and drove away with a custodian following him, said Officer Christian Eldridge.

Police found the man, Christopher Kovats, 29, on Manito Avenue where he was allegedly searching for his girlfriend, Eldridge said.

Gusterson saw a handgun protruding from beneath the passenger's seat, and Kovats was arrested without incident, Eldridge said.

Kovats was charged with multiple weapons offenses, stalking and several motor vehicle summonses, police said.

Bail was set at $100,000, and Kovats was remanded to the Bergen County Jail, police said.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com