WILDWOOD – A city man who was involved in an hours-long standoff with police in February has been charged with attempting to disarm officers who were responding to a domestic violence call at a city motel on Monday, Sept. 2.
Rakesh J. Patel, 47, was arrested after he tried to flee in his automobile and then attempted to take the officers’ weapons as they tried to remove him from his vehicle, according to a Police Department press release issued via social media.
According to the affidavit of probable cause for Patel’s arrest, shortly after midnight on Monday, Wildwood dispatch received a frantic 911 call reporting a disturbance in the main office area of the Heart of Wildwood Motel.
An additional 911 call came in, with the caller saying her husband was at the motel attempting to kick in the locked front office door. According to the affidavit, the 911 dispatcher could hear the subject shouting, “Open this door,” along with loud banging.
Two uniformed patrol officers from the department responded to the motel, at 3915 Ocean Ave. Upon arrival, they were pointed in the direction of Patel, who was attempting to flee through the parking lot of an adjoining motel. He ignored orders to stop and got behind the wheel of his car and started the engine. He was attempting to put the vehicle in drive when officers pulled him from the vehicle.
Police said that during the encounter, Patel attempted to remove both officers’ duty weapons from their holsters. Both officers sustained abrasions and were treated by Wildwood Rescue, but neither was seriously injured, and Patel was taken into custody without further incident. The affidavit said Patel appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the offense.
Detectives collected evidence at the scene, including the slide of a semiautomatic handgun, 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a rifle hand grip and a few items of Patel’s clothing. His vehicle is being held for investigative purposes pending the execution of a court-authorized search warrant.
Patel was charged with second-degree attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, second-degree possession of a “ghost gun,” a firearm that is privately assembled and untraceable due to its not having a serial number, second-degree burglary, third-degree making terroristic threats, third-degree resisting arrest, third-degree eluding, two counts of third-degree aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and fourth-degree certain persons not allowed to possess weapons or ammunition, with more charges possible.
Police had contact with Patel on Feb. 10, and the affidavit of probable cause says he made threats, saying he would kill his wife if she filed for a temporary restraining order. The report says his wife was not present at the time, and police contacted the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency and advised them of the incident.
On Feb. 11, the state agency was trying to serve Patel with a non-contact order when he fled in his vehicle and arrived at his wife’s residence in the 500 block of West 26th Avenue, where his family was staying. Police were called to that address and made several attempts to contact Patel, who had barricaded himself and his family inside the residence, placing furniture and other items against the door.
He refused repeated commands to come out and verbally threatened to harm officers. Division of Child Protection and Permanency personnel on the scene advised police that Patel appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
Police called for assistance from the Cape May County Regional SWAT Team, and a multiblock perimeter was set up to ensure public safety. The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Crisis Negotiation Team also was notified and responded to assist.
During the standoff, Patel threatened to shoot officers and said he would “tar and feather” any officers who attempted to enter. Officers observed Patel through a window as he poured oil into a pot and began to heat it on the stove. Patel threatened to throw objects at police, and at one point threw a glass cooking pot lid out the widow, striking a police car.
The family was unharmed and was able to leave the residence safely, but Patel refused to come out and continued to make threats against officers.
After several hours of negotiating, the SWAT Team entered the residence and arrested Patel without further incident.
He was charged after that incident with three counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree making 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 then lodged at the Cape May County Correctional Center and was reincarcerated there as a result of the Aug. 2 incident.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
