Wall Township, NJ – A late-night police response to a township Wawa escalated into a high-risk encounter after officers learned the suspect matched the description in a reported knife-point kidnapping alert — a report later determined to be unfounded.
Officers from the Wall Township Police Department were dispatched at approximately 12:55 a.m. Thursday to the Wawa North at 1310 State Highway 34 following reports of a man acting erratically while wearing a traffic vest and camouflage pants.
Earlier in the evening, at about 10:00 p.m., the same individual — identified as a 35-year-old man from Toms River — had been captured on a doorbell camera knocking on the door of a residence in the Presidential Streets section of town.
While officers were en route to Wawa, dispatch advised that the suspect’s description matched a “Be on the Lookout” alert issued by the Neptune Police Department regarding a possible kidnapping at knifepoint.
Patrolman Clint Forgach located the individual behind the business. Police said the man refused to comply with lawful commands, prompting officers to conduct a high-risk stop and hold him at gunpoint as a safety precaution.
After additional officers, including Patrolmen Josh Wheeler and Johan Moreno, arrived on scene, the suspect was escorted to the ground and taken into custody without further incident.
- Officers responded to erratic behavior at Route 34 Wawa
- Suspect matched BOLO tied to reported kidnapping
- Investigation later confirmed no kidnapping had occurred
Medical episode confirmed after investigation
Representatives from Neptune police responded to assist with the investigation. Authorities later confirmed that no kidnapping had taken place and that the alert was not substantiated.
Officials determined the individual was experiencing a medical episode at the time of the incident. A records check also revealed he was a wanted person out of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Due to the medical concerns, the man was transported to a local hospital for evaluation by Patrolmen Moreno and Forgach. Forgach is listed as the arresting officer. Additional updates related to regional law enforcement activity can be found through coverage of Monmouth County incidents.