Highlands NJ Man Accused of Eluding Law Enforcement, Arrested after Police Use Taser

Highlands Borough police used a stun gun to apprehend a local man who was allegedly eluding police.

The incident began around 3:35 p.m. According to Monmouth County authorities, an Atlantic Highlands patrol officer saw the suspect commit a traffic violation while driving a 2011 Dodge Charger. The patrol cop attempted to pull over the suspect, but the suspect allegedly hit his brakes and caused a fender-bender.

The Atlantic Highlands police officer then got out of his patrol car and spoke with the suspect. At some point during the conversation, the suspect reportedly hit the gas pedal and sped off. Police chased the suspect through Middletown NJ and tracked him to Highlands, New Jersey. Once again, the police tried to get the suspect to stop his vehicle. When a couple of patrol cops moved closer to the vehicle, the suspect allegedly fled the scene again.

Approximately eight hours later, police located the suspect at his home in the Eastpointe condominium complex in Highlands, New Jersey. The suspect allegedly barricaded himself inside his apartment for the next four hours. During the ensuing standoff, the suspect reportedly threatened to shoot police officers who were standing outside the residence.

While police tried to get the suspect to leave his home, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) evacuated residents from neighboring apartments.

The tense standoff eventually ended when the suspect walked out of his apartment and police officers used a Taser (also known as a conductive energy device or stun gun) to subdue him. According to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, this was the first time that a police officer in Monmouth County has used a Taser in the line of duty since NJ law enforcement started carrying the devices in 2009.

The 51-year-old suspect, who lives in Highlands Borough NJ, faces a number of very serious criminal charges, including aggravated assault on a police officer and eluding. It is also possible that the suspect will face more charges once law enforcement concludes its investigation.

Christopher Gramiccioni, the acting Monmouth County Prosecutor, commended police for using the stun gun on the suspect and helping to avoid a tragic outcome to the potentially violent situation.

For additional information about this case, view the following article: After standoff, police use stun gun to subdue suspect