Machete-Wielding Man On Route 37 Arrested In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A man who was waving a machete at passing drivers on Route 37 was safely subdued on Monday night, Toms River police said.

The man was standing near the intersection of Brookside Drive and Route 37 about 7:30 p.m. on Monday yelling at passing drivers when Toms River Sgt. Chris McDowell, who was on patrol, pulled over to try to calm him down, said Jillian Messina, media relations specialist for the Toms River Police Department.

Robert Wasilick, an off-duty Seaside Heights police officer, stopped to help when he saw the man with the machete, Messina said, and additional Toms River officers responded.

The man walked into a small wooded area off Route 37, which police surrounded.

Messina said the man became more agitated and combative, refusing commands to drop the machete, which he was swinging at police. After about 20 minutes of trying to talk to him, Officer Brian Appleby tackled the man and took the machete away from him, she said.

The man was taken to Community Medical Center for an evaluation, and was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and disorderly conduct, Messina said.

"I would like to commend all of the officers for an incredible amount of restraint, which could have certainly become a deadly force situation," Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little said.