VILLAS – Police have arrested a Villas man on assault and weapons charges after he allegedly fired shots from a handgun during a verbal dispute with another man.

Nathan A. Menzano Jr., 67, was arrested after Lower Township police responded to reports of a loud dispute and suspected shots fired in the area of Stanley Lane, in the Villas section of the township, on Thursday, June 20.

Detectives investigating the incident determined that a dispute between two men led to three shots being fired from a handgun. No one was injured in the incident.

A search warrant was issued, and a search of the suspect’s residence was conducted by the Cape May County Regional SWAT Team. As a result of the search, police seized multiple firearms and evidence related to the shooting.

Menzano was charged with second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, second-degree possession of a handgun without a permit to carry, third-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, third-degree making terroristic threats, third-degree possession of a sawed-off shotgun and third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance. He was lodged at the Cape May County Correctional Center awaiting court proceedings.

According to Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland, second-degree crimes can result in a five- to 10-year prison term, while third-degree crimes can lead to a sentence of three to five years.

The incident was investigated by the Lower Township Police Department and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to call the Lower Township Police Department at 609-886-2711 or the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.