Toms River cop tackles machete-wielding man on Route 37 who was yelling at passing cars

Erik Larsen
Asbury Park Press

TOMS RIVER - An agitated man wielding a machete on the corner of Route 37 and Brookside Drive, was subdued by police on Monday evening, according to authorities.

Toms River Police Sgt. Chris McDowell was on patrol about 7:35 p.m. when he saw an individual “with what appeared to be a large knife yelling at passing motorists,” said Jillian Messina, a department spokeswoman.

An off-duty Seaside Heights police officer, Robert Wasilick, also stopped to assist as he was passing by, Messina said.

Additional Toms River police officers were dispatched to the scene and a perimeter was set up around an adjacent wooded area the man had retreated to, she said.

Toms River Police Officer Brian Appleby

Over the next 20 minutes, the man became “increasingly agitated and combative, and refusing the officers’ commands to drop the large machete he was swinging at officers,” Messina explained.

Ultimately, Toms River Officer Brian Appleby tackled the man when the opportunity presented itself and secured the machete, she said.

The individual was taken to nearby Community Medical Center in Toms River for a health evaluation. He was also charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and disorderly conduct. His identity was not released Thursday night.

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

Contact Asbury Park Press reporter Erik Larsen at elarsen@gannettnj.com