Man Barricaded Himself In Home, Apprehended

COURT HOUSE – County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor and Chief William Mastriana of the Lower Township Police Department announced the safe conclusion of a barricaded subject in the 600 block of Jonathan Hoffman Road in Lower Township.
According to Prosecutor Taylor, the accused, Jeffery Hart, 47, fired a handgun behind his residence at approximately 8 p.m. Dec. 16. Hart’s wife and children then fled the residence and Hart barricaded himself inside prior to the first police officers arriving at the scene.
Members of the Lower Township Police Department quickly responded and set up a perimeter around the residence and requested assistance from the Cape May County Regional SWAT Team, the County Crisis Negotiation Team, and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office.
At approximately 1:15 a.m., Crisis Negotiators were successful in convincing Hart to exit the residence at which time, he was safely taken into custody without incident by members of the Lower Township Police Department and the County SWAT Team. Hart was transported to the Cape Regional Medical Center to be evaluated.
Detectives from the Lower Township Police Department and County Prosecutor’s Office conducted a search of Hart’s residence and vehicle and seized .22 caliber revolver along with an air-soft pellet gun.
Hart was charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and additional criminal charges are currently pending as of the time of this press release.
Prosecutor Taylor commended the cooperative efforts between the members of the Lower Township Police Department, the County Prosecutor’s Office, the County SWAT Team and especially the County Crisis Negotiation Team who assisted in bringing this potentially violent situation to a safe and quick conclusion.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.