Armed Standoff At Jersey Mike’s Defused Through Hostage Negotiations , Police Say

CLARK, NJ - A 23-year-old man was taken into custody on Wednesday after threatening harm inside a Jersey Mike’s sandwich shop.

Clark Police arrived at the eatery at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday after multiple reports of a man armed with a knife were called in.

Officers found the man inside the store threatening to harm himself, police said. While securing the surrounding area, multiple nearby businesses were evacuated as officers spoke with the man for thirty minutes.

The Union County SWAT Team, a hostage negotiator and the ARRIVE statewide mental health response team were brought in to assist. The man later laid the knife down and was taken to the hospital for a mental health check, police said.

No charges have been filed and businesses are back to operating normally, authorities said.

The businesses were closed for about one hour during the standoff.

"I am incredibly proud of our officers for their unwavering dedication, professionalism, and resilience.,” Clark Captain Miguel Acabou said. “Their critical role in safely de-escalating a person experiencing a mental health crisis, all while the individual was armed with a weapon, was truly exemplary.

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