Police Charge Alleged Burglar with Screwdriver Threat on Officer

LOWER TOWNSHIP POLICE RELEASE:
VILLAS — On Saturday, Feb. 27 at approximately 6:50 a.m., Lower Township police received a 9-1-1 call from a resident in the 200 Block of Francis Avenue indicating that his neighbor was attempting to force his way into the caller’s residence by prying the lock off his door with what appeared to be a knife.
Patrolman Donald Vanaman responded to the call. When Vanaman arrived on scene, the suspect identified as Gary McClintock, 49, of Francis Avenue, Villas, ran into the back yard of the residence.
Vanaman pursued McClintock on foot while the demanding to see his hands.
McClintock then turned on the officer and produced a long flat head screwdriver from under his jacket. McClintock held the screwdriver over his head and began to advance on Vanaman, who then drew his service weapon on McClintock.
After repeated demands for McClintock to drop the weapon, he threw the screwdriver on the ground and was taken into custody by Vanaman.
A search of McClintock’s person revealed that he was also in possession of a small knife.
McClintock was arrested at the scene and transported to Lower Township Police Department where he was charged with the following offenses:
Attempted Burglary while Armed – 2nd Degree Crime
Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose – 3rd Degree Crime
Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer – 4th Degree Crime
McClintock was lodged in the Cape May County Jail with bail set by Lower Township Municipal Court Judge, David DeWeese at $50,000 full cash, with a no contact order.