Machete-Wielding Man Threatens Victim At Collingswood Market Over Car Repair: Howell PD

HOWELL, NJ — An Ocean County man was arrested Saturday at the Collingswood Auction after threatening a man with a machete over an alleged unpaid car repair bill, Howell Township police said.

Luis Taveras, 39, of Bayville, walked into the Collingswood Auction on Route 33 in Howell about 9 a.m. Saturday carrying the large machete, Sgt. Nicholas Bondarew said.

He approached a 40-year-old Neptune man and demanded payment for a car repair, using the machete to intimidate the victim, Bondarew said.

Multiple witnesses who were present "prevented the incident from escalating into a physical altercation or the weapon being used," he said.

Taveras fled in his vehicle — without receiving any money — before police arrived, Bondarew said, but was identified through the investigation.

He was arrested in Eatontown about noon on Saturday, Bondarew said, with the assistance of Eatontown police. He has been charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and terroristic threats.

Taveras was being held at the Monmouth County Jail pending a detention hearing, Bondarew said.