TOMS RIVER – Ending a two-hour standoff with police, a man exited a home peacefully after he attacked another person inside the house, police said.
Police arrived at the home around 3 p.m. Friday after receiving a report of a man suffering from mental illness.
At the scene, the victim told police that she had been assaulted and the man was in his bedroom and armed with a knife, Toms River Police Spokesperson Jillian Messina said.
Once everyone was removed from the home, Officer Kristi Stebila spoke with the man for nearly two hours, developed a rapport and was able to talk him into coming out of the home peacefully.
The man was charged with 3rd Degree Aggravated Assault and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and was brought to Community Medical Center for mental health treatment.
“I’d like to commend Officer Kristi Stebila for her effectiveness, compassion, and patience while speaking with the suspect, as well as officers Damon Korpon, Robert King, and Kevin Corrigan for their professionalism, and ensuring the safety of everyone in the residence,” Police Chief Mitch Little said. “On a daily basis, mental health calls are among the most dangerous. I could not be more proud of all of my officers for their dedication to making sure at the end of the day everyone goes home safe.”
