Gun-Toting, Wanted Man Leads Red Bank Police On Foot Chase

RED BANK, NJ — An armed man was arrested Sunday afternoon following a police chase on Coopers Bridge, Red Bank Police Captain Michael Frazee said.

Wayne Accoo, 40, of Asbury Park, was arrested on an outstanding warrant from the Red Bank Municipal Court around 1:48 p.m. on Sunday, Frazee said.

When Accoo was told to put his hands behind his back, Frazee said Accoo fled from police and started to head south on Coopers Bridge towards Red Bank.

Officer Chris Fuentes caught up to Accoo, who resisted arrest and tried to grab something from his front pocket, police said.

Officer Piero Vescio helped Fuentes secure Accoo and they found a .22 caliber handgun in Accoo’s front pocket and 33 tabs of a suspected controlled and dangerous substance in his backpack, police said.

"Officers noticed the threat of Mr. Accoo making attempts to get into his pocket and were able to gain control of his hands, eliminating that threat," Frazee said. "Not being able to gain control of Mr. Accoo may have resulted in someone getting seriously injured."

Accoo was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, certain person not to possess a weapon, resisting arrest, hindering apprehension, obstructing the administration of the law, aggravated assault on police, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, Frazee said.

“I am thankful that no one was injured as a result of the physical encounter,” Frazee said.

Accoo was brought to the Monmouth County Correctional Facility following his arrest.