WILDWOOD – Police officers said they had to tase a man who claimed to have a gun and threw a shovel at them on Friday, Jan. 24.
Police issued a press release saying that at approximately 6 p.m. that day officers responded to a business in the 300 block of West Rio Grande Avenue on a report of a man threatening employees inside the store.
Upon their arrival, Ronald Norbeck, 60, of Rio Grande, screamed at them not to come any closer and that he had a gun. The employees safely left the store, and the officers quickly initiated de-escalation techniques.
Police said Norbeck continued to refuse to comply with officers’ commands while he kept his hands concealed from them, and that he repeatedly told officers to use deadly force against him. At one point he threw a shovel, narrowly missing an officer.
After multiple attempts at de-escalation, one of the officers used a Taser on Norbeck. He was taken into custody immediately afterward. No one was injured.
Norbeck was charged with second-degree robbery, third-degree making terroristic threats, third-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, fourth-degree possession of a weapon, fourth-degree aggravated assault and fourth-degree obstruction.
After medical screening, he was incarcerated at the Cape May County Correctional Center.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
