HOWELL – A 24-year-old male resident of Manchester Township, Ocean County, who works at a movie theater in Howell was arrested after police officers found weapons in his vehicle.
The incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. Sept. 8 while the Xscape theater, Route 9, was filled with hundreds of patrons enjoying an evening out.
Howell police said Officer Stephanie Regina was working a routine security detail at the movie theater when she was approached by a representative of the management team about a report that had been made by an employee.
Police said that employee told a manager that the man from Manchester had shown him guns in his (the Manchester man’s) car earlier in the week.
Regina spoke with the Manchester man, who was working at the theater, and was informed by police communications staff that he had warrants for his arrest from Milltown, Middlesex County, for failure to appear on a drug paraphernalia charge and a borough ordinance violation, and from Hazlet, Monmouth County, for driving with a suspended license.
Police said officers located the man’s car, a 2008 Kia Rio, in the parking lot and saw what appeared to be a safe and a tactical vest in the vehicle. Police said the man gave officers consent to search his vehicle.
During the search, officers located two handguns, both revolvers. Police said one handgun was loaded with hollow point ammunition and one handgun was unloaded.
Police also located a hand grenade in the vehicle. Upon the discovery of the hand grenade, the movie theater was evacuated under the direction of Sgt. Michael Popek and approximately 500 patrons were escorted to a safe location.
Police said the evacuation was conducted because the suspect had access to the theater and claimed he had another hand grenade. Police said the officers “were not taking the chance that an accomplice was involved and was inside the theater.”
Police said the evacuation was completed quickly and efficiently in part because off-duty Howell Police Detective David Gilliland was in the theater watching a movie. He identified himself and coordinated the evacuation. The parking lot was shut down at all access points.
The New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad responded to the scene and determined the hand grenade had its explosive component removed. The movie theater was checked and no other devices or suspicious items were located, according to police.
Police said the employee from Manchester Township was arrested and charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a handgun in the second degree and possession of hollow point ammunition in the fourth degree. He was placed in the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township. His vehicle was impounded pending forfeiture proceedings, according to police.
Howell police said they were “thankful to Xscape management who took the proactive approach in notifying our officer.”
“At this time we do not believe (the person who was arrested) had any intentions to harm anyone. He made unsubstantiated claims that he was involved in law enforcement. He was cooperative throughout the investigation,” police said.