WILDWOOD – Police, aided by members of the Cape May County Regional SWAT Team, ended a standoff of several hours with the arrest of a man after the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency had attempted to serve him a no-contact order.
According to a press release from the City of Wildwood Police Department, uniformed patrol officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of West 26th Avenue on Sunday, Feb. 11, at about 2:35 a.m. for a family dispute reported by Child Protection.
Child Protection had attempted to serve a no-contact order on a man identified as Rakesh Patel, 47, of Wildwood. Police said Patel was residing at another property when the state agency made contact with him; however, he left the area and immediately went to the residence on 26th Avenue, where his family was staying.
Upon their arrival at the 26th Avenue property, patrol officers made multiple attempts to contact Patel; however, he had barricaded himself inside the residence along with his family. Despite verbal commands from officers, he continued to barricade the residence and verbally threatened to harm the officers.
As a result, members of the Cape May County Regional SWAT Team responded, and a multiblock perimeter was set up to ensure public safety. Additionally, members of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Crisis Negotiation Team were notified and responded to assist.
The family was unharmed and was able to safely leave the residence, but Patel refused to come out and made numerous threats toward law enforcement personnel.
After several hours of negotiating, the SWAT Team made entry into the residence and secured Patel without further incident.
During the continuing investigation conducted by the Wildwood Police Department Detective Division and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, a court-authorized search warrant was executed at the residence, where evidence was collected.
As a result of the investigation, Patel was charged with three counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree terroristic threats, third-degree resisting arrest, third-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and fourth-degree obstruction of justice. He was lodged at the Cape May County Correctional Center.
The Wildwood Police Department acknowledged the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and its Crisis Negotiation Team, Cape May County Regional SWAT Team, Wildwood Fire Department and North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, West Wildwood and Middle Township police departments for their assistance.
