Man Charged With Bias Intimidation In Lakewood Dispute

LAKEWOOD, NJ — A Lakewood man has been charged with bias intimidation after he was accused of pointing a firearm at people during an argument in Lakewood, police said Tuesday.

Eric Hernandez-Sanchez, 29, was arrested Monday at the scene of the incident at Ocean Avenue and Congress Street, which was reported about 9 p.m., Lakewood Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith said.

Lakewood Police Officers Sean Ward and Sara Brooks were pointed to a person wearing all black who was standing in the road arguing with another person, Staffordsmith said.

Hernandez-Sanchez was detained but police did not find a firearm on him or in the immediate area, he said. Victims and witnesses told Ward and Brooks that Hernandez-Sanchez made several threatening statements to kill people and a statement that was biased in nature, all while brandishing an object that resembled a firearm, Staffordsmith said.

The officers were unable to confirm whether he was actually in possession of a firearm, Staffordsmith said.

He was charged with bias intimidation, a second-degree crime, and is being held in the Ocean County Jail.