Man Cut His Wrist Before Removal From Barricaded Motel Room in Point Beach
Man told police he swallowed bags of heroin
A 31-year-old man is in custody this morning after barricading himself in a Point Pleasant Beach motel room and threatening to kill himself and possibly others, said Lt. Robert Dikun.
The man cut his wrist and told police he swallowed bags of heroin before police convinced him to get out of the efficiency room at the Pelican Point Motel, 210 Arnold Avenue, and transported him to a hospital late Sunday night, police said.
The man, who was alone in his room, called police at about 8:15 p.m. Sunday and said he had barricaded himself in a room at the Pelican Point Motel, formerly the Colonial Motel, said Sgt. Robert Goessel.
Dikun said, "The man said he wanted to take his life and, if necessary, take other lives. It was recognized as a very dangerous situation from the outset.
"The officers initially on the scene opened a line of communication with the man, who was coming across as violent and emotionally disturbed to himself and to police officers," Dikun said.
"They were able to build a rapport with him and maintained constant communication," Dikun said.
Corporal Peter Andreyev, Patrolman First Class Robert Kowalewski and Officer Kyle Boturla were the first on the scene.
"The officers and crisis negotiators, who were called in, talked him into surrendering," he said. "They did a a masterful job."
The man said on the telephone that he wanted to harm himself and had placed furniture in front of his locked motel room door, Goessel said.
When the man ultimately came out of the room at about 11 p.m., police saw that the man had cut his wrist and was bleeding profusely, Goessel said.
Paramedics treated him at the scene and transported him to Ocean County Medical Center in Brick for medical and psychological evaluations, Goessel said.
Paramedics had said the wrist laceration was not life-threatening, said Dikun.
Dikun said he believed the man was okay on Monday morning and was in custody. He declined to release his name or say if he was still at the hospital, in police headquarters or in the Ocean County jail.
Police requested a SWAT team and the Ocean County mobile command unit to the scene, two blocks from the boardwalk and a block from the municipal parking lot on Arnold Avenue.
Dikun said the man had not only locked the motel room door and moved furniture up against it, but he had nailed furniture, bed frames and even appliances into the wall and door to strengthen the barricade.
By the time local and county negotiators convinced the man to surrender, he couldn't get past his own barricade because so much material had been nailed down, Dikun said.
The man had to crawl through a small window in the entry door, which was a storm door with a window that slid up and down.
After the man left the room, "the SWAT team breached the windows and doors and cleared the apartment," Dikun said.
The man had been living in the efficiency-style motel room "for a considerable period of time," Dikun said.
Police had originally called for the emergency helicopter, MONOC 1, but cancelled that before it arrived, Goessel said.
It was unclear as to why the man had barricaded himself at the motel or why he had hurt himself.
The man's original call to police was at first designed a first aid call or "a welfare check" because the man was threatening to harm himself, Goessel said.
The initial call went to Monmouth County dispatch, said Goessel, explaining that some 911 cell phone calls in certain sections of the Beach go to Monmouth, since the Beach is so close to the county line. Usually 911 calls in the Beach and elsewhere in Ocean County go to the Ocean County dispatch center in Toms River.
The man may have used a cell to make the call, he said.
Sgt. Joseph Michigan, a K-9 officer; Sgt. William Ippolito, of the Point Beach department and the county regional SWAT team; Officer Michael Fioretti, Point Beach Senior Communications Officer; the Point Pleasant Beach First Aid Squad and Monoc Paramedics assisted at the scene.
No charges have been filed so far.
Log on later to www.pointpleasant.patch.com for updates from police as they become available.
Monica "Sue" Paradise
8:15 am on Monday, March 14, 2011
Last evening, there were numerous police cars, fire engines and other emergency vehicles along Chicago Ave and Yale. They were there for a couple of hours and we wondered whether it was a gas leak or was someone going to be airlifted from the field which happens from time to time. There was no report on app.com, We knew it wouldnt be in our morning newspaper . The first report that we saw came from "The Patch". GREAT JOB!
Kevin Malone
9:04 am on Monday, March 14, 2011
Wow......these are the kinds of transient people we have living in our motels? This motel is a stones throw from many residential homes and a few blocks from Antrim.....and we have people shooting up heroin that close? I guess people need to realize that this isn't the Point Beach of old......it's a new day and we have a quality of people that no town wants. Open your eyes people, the Point Pleasant Beach bubble is popped and we have heroin addicts living across the street for $20.00 a night. Great job by all the police officers, fire, and ems. Emergency workers protect us from the worst elements of society and WE NEED THEM, despite what local government thinks. Put this guy where he belongs......in jail or in a mental hospital.
Laura
9:17 am on Monday, March 14, 2011
Mr. Malone, the only difference between the new day and the old - It's publicized now and not kept quiet.
Charles W. Bogert
2:28 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
Laura,
You are SO right. One had to be there to know that... you too???
Christopher Goss
1:24 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
This is very sad. I hate to break it to you but there are a lot of people in our community with a variety of addictions and they don't all live in cheap motels. Just remember that no one chooses addiction and to pray for them and their families.
Kevin Malone
2:12 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
This isn't about whether he had an addiction or not......its the fact that not only did he want to take his own life, but take the life of others. And those others were there trying to help him. Not about addiction......about the quality of people coming to our community now.
Christopher Goss
2:18 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
So this would only happen with a "low quality" person?
Kevin Malone
2:46 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
Another politician putting words in somebody's mouth! Anyone who wants to harm themselves obviously has mental issues and I feel for that person......but once they start threatening to kill people, that are there to help them, after he called them for HELP.......then yes he is a "LOW QUALITY" person in my eyes. I never said it couldn't happen to someone who you don't consider "low quality", but from what I see here, this guy is A LOW QUALITY PERSON!!
Beach_N8iv
4:05 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
Laura and Charles, I remember when the motels would close up a few weeks after Labor Day. There were no "interesting characters" living in them all winter long like we have now.
johnny knoxville
6:04 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
Sounds like Charlie Sheen was in town. Mr. Goss stop trying to reason with a cop trying to prove his manfra.
johnny knoxville
6:06 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
Sorry - mantra
Kevin Malone
6:46 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
Sorry Knoxville, not a cop, just a lowly accountant for a small paper company. Maybe you have had your problems with police and i'm not sure what MANTRA you are talking about, but if it is having a safe community where my family doesn't have to be concerned with drug addicts shooting up in a seedy motel across the street, then I'm all for "their mantra". No I don't feel bad for a guy who shoots up, says he's gonna kill himself, calls for help, then says he's gonna kill the people who are there to help him. I don't know.......I'm not feeling my self lately......I ran out of a prescription I had......the drug really helped me........that's right, "I was on a drug.......that drug's called CHARLIE SHEEN!! "--Charlie Sheen
Kevin Malone
6:46 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
Little levity never hurts Knoxville, I'll give you that
hd
9:27 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
I have to agree with Mr. Malone on this one...ask any cop in this town and they will tell you about the increased population of very undesirable people who are living in the boarding houses, rooming houses and off-season motels. It is ignorant to think that is a not a becoming a problem around here. Obviously we need to care for the mentally ill and offer help to those with abuse problems, but when you make it easy for people to live in this town who don't have a job or an income and they need a fix~ they will do anything to get their fix. How do you think a person lives in a low-income motel, yet can afford to feed their heroin habit?? Most likely he is one of those people we have read about on the Patch who has been breaking into our homes and robbing gold and cash. Wish it wasn't the direction that this town is headed...
Joseph Bilotti
9:34 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
This is a test.
Denise Di Stephan
9:49 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
Thanks to Monica Sue!
Joseph Bilotti
10:17 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
I have been telling everyone for 7 years now of the dire financial conditions of more than a few of the PPB motels. Especially the ones with one or two million dollar mortgages. Now more of these motels are renting to the transient trouble makers in the off season in an attempt to prevent foreclosure. Even the motels not in danger of foreclosure do not make a lot of money. Probably 10 of the 16 motels net less than $40,000. Yet our council members and mayor continue to hurt the motels with an excessive motel tax ( 15 per cent total ), large high user water/ sewer rates and recently forcing the motels to pay for our own garbage collection. When will the Beach politicians realize that the Beach businesses pay large property taxes that contribute to keeping the residential property taxes low. You see the politicians know that the beach residential property owners have probably 95 per cent of the vote and the businesses have very few votes and their act is to make believe they are helping the residents by hurting the businesses. Beach businesses now pay about 22 per cent of Beach property taxes whereas at one time they payed a out 40 per cent. And their contra union continues to drop always shifting more and Morelos the tax burden to PPB residents. Enough said!
Mike Corbally
10:51 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
The Hotel/Motel business model on Broadway and Arnold avenues just doesn't work anymore. The North Side of Broadway should go condo and the South side residential. Joe, until you believe the business climate from 20 years ago is gone and change your business model you will fade away slowly. If that happens, we'll all feel your pain. I thought you already sold, "June Closing". Don't tell me the deal fell through?
Laura
5:45 pm on Wednesday, March 16, 2011
By changing the business district to residential on Broadway, it seems to me that you are trying to become Spring Lake. Much as you would like that it's not going to happen JMHO Houses on a main thoroughfare makes the Beach look more like some northern towns that I can think of. Maybe newcomers to the area will feel comfortable with that.
johnny knoxville
8:15 am on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
I still believe it was Charlie Sheen. Winning. I'm winning..
E.Nagle Moylesworth III
9:23 pm on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
I am a first time reader. Nice format. I like this site. Comments are tending to get personal just like they do on APP site. Must be human nature. Keep up the local coverage. Re: motels and year round ops. Way back, when govt provided less and took less from tax payers, people could sit on idle property (off season). Today, taxes, water/sewer, license fees do not take the winter off, and they are not a minor annoyance. A business must make money all year to keep above water. IMHO govt should do less and tax less.
Beach_N8iv
9:25 am on Wednesday, March 16, 2011
E, I'm not a businessman but if these places boarded up for the off-season wouldn't their water/sewer, utilities, payroll and maybe even insurance rates drop dramatically?
E.Nagle Moylesworth III
9:30 am on Wednesday, March 16, 2011
perhaps, but the prop tx would not change. A change in tax policy that recognizes off season conditions might help.
Praia Algarve
1:39 pm on Wednesday, March 16, 2011
I find it inappropriate to label the man as a 'type' or 'kind' of people. The individual is a man whether living in a motel, an apartment or a home. To believe there are those within this Borough's limits who are wealthy, with substantial income and do not have troubles, addictions, or hard times is foolish. I hope this man finds help and guidance due to this incident. I am glad he did not lose his life and has the chance to help himself live better. Also I am thankful for the emergency services available to us here in PPB. They protect and serve all people.
I consider myself and my family fortunate to have a beautiful home in this beautiful town but I remember when my wife and I many many years ago had barely 2 nickels to rub together. On more than one occasion we could have been living in a motel, with our children in tow because simply times were tough. But..I learned a skill, worked hard, we had ups and downs, and 40 years later luckily retired and settled here. At one time we had garden furniture in our apartment in Kearny because we could not afford proper furniture, imagine that and we felt happy.
It is easy to point fingers at 'types of people' or 'businesses' but all you're saying is that "We are better than you and you don't belong here." That is the wrong message to send. Many good people have had to fight back from personal demons and hardship, better people than I. Being one paycheck from the street is not a disease or a crime.
Mike Corbally
8:49 pm on Wednesday, March 16, 2011
I don't expect Broadway to ever look like Spring Lake. The fact of the matter is "the hotel/motel business model located off of Ocean Avenue doesn't work". The value of property, the change in the demographics of our guests, and the willingness of everyone to travel a couple of hours a day has diminished the need for these establishments. We can not go back to the 50's, 60's, and 70's as some old timers would like. We will either adapt to the change or allow our town to further decline. Is anyone begging for the return of the Harbor Lights Motel? We will and should lose 3 or 4 more motels, which will make the remaining establishments stronger. Weather wise, last Summer was perfect, yet many local businesses suffered. Businesses thrive because their is a demand for their product. The demand for Motel/Hotel businesses off of Ocean Avenue is disappearing.
Praia Algarve
12:25 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
Hello Mr. Corbally is it true that demand for lodging is disappearing? The motels on Broadway and Arnold I often see 'No Vacancy' in the Summer, July & August. I understand you make a point that the motel site of Harbor Lights is not missed but I think this property was possibly poorly managed? What is the 'business model' for motels off of Ocean Avenue you refer to? I believe you are saying that Broadway should become Condominium properties but there are already many condos available and unsold. I do not believe the Harbor Lights project has sold one unit at this time and I believe a few of the other recent condo projects on or around Broadway have poor sales. Will it be a problem if the available condos are not sold and go abandoned, in foreclosure etc? I think you must be in the motel business or maybe used to be in the business? You are knowledgeable. I will only say that when many friends and family visit in the Summer they stay at motels on Broadway. They find the prices very high on Ocean Avenue and I think it is true. It is not the 50's or 60's but NJ has a much larger population now than in the old days. Old timers like me see more crowds now and you're right many more people visit for the day because parking is always very full even at a distance from the beach. Please help me to understand this model you speak about. I think with more people in NJ, more people come to the beach, and they will stay in a Motel. This is good for all in town. No?
puppet watcher
1:14 am on Thursday, March 17, 2011
The hotels/motels charge close to $200.-$300. a night in the summertime...They are not a 4 or 5 star hotel on a Caribean Island. ....They are motels..... They are lucky to be making the money that they are. Chances are they bought the property 20/30 years ago and don't have a $2 million dollar mortgage(after all,who would do that without having the books to prove that the income would come in.) The summertime money still comes in(even with the economy) so to sit there and cry and say they have to pay for their own garbage is almost embarassing....And to complain about their property taxes is also ridiculous...Someone with the same square footage of property is paying what they are yet they are not bringing in any income.....People just like to compain.....
Praia Algarve
12:45 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
Property taxes and water/sewer taxes are too high in the Borough for all of us don't you think Mr. PW? I don't like to complain but there is much to complain about considering how the money is spent rather wastefully by the Borough. If the Lodging Businesses in town must purchase garbage services, is this for all businesses or just hotels? Perhaps if we make waste removal the responsibility of all businesses by private carting then we can dispense of the Borough's waste removal staff and equipment and contract out the residential waste removal needs to a private firm. Many municipalities contract out this service. This surely would save a great deal of money and would be much more efficient. Don't you agree?
puppet watcher
8:52 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
Praia,
I have been a taxpayer for many years and have been paying taxes for garbage pickup,police,schools etc...I am not making any income from my property,nor am I bringing any transients into town to harm anyone's children. Our School system has been based on a pay it forward system,you move into a nice town with a good school,the taxpayers pay for the school(which means everyone pays regardless of whether or not you have kids) than when your children graduate,noone wants to pay for the school....what's wrong with that is before you move there,people were paying for the school to make it suitable for YOUR KIDS to go there...Everyone pays for someone else's kids thats how it works but now when people no longer have kids in the school they don't want to pay for other people...PPB has one of the lowest tax rates in all of Ocean County..It's ridiculous for people to sit there and complain about property taxes,go to Northern Jersey and you will be paying at least double or triple in taxes....back to the motels,I rarely even use the dpw because I bring all my garbage to Cooks lane so to me,it would not effect me either way...But just because I choose to bring my garbage to them,doesn't make it right for me to say that we don't need people to pick up our garbage....I truly wish people get a grip on reality and realize that we have it pretty good......
Mike Corbally
7:25 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
I agree, like all other towns, businesses should be responsible for their own garbage removal. I believe this will be accomplished over time. The residents of town should be the Council's number one priority. I'd be happy to meet with you so you can explain to me how a $1.5M to $3.0M business investment in a motel on Broadway makes financial sense. I've been told for years the gross ranges from $250K to $500K at the high side. After interest, taxes, water, insurance, employees, maintenance, and improvements I believe their are better investments to be had. I'm open to be educated?
Laura
8:40 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
250k to 500k is that cash or credit? Just because you don't find it to be a good investment doesn't mean you should impose your will on others who may not feel that way and also pay taxes in the Beach just as you do. JMHO but I don't think it's the Council's job to change the character or dynamics of the town. I believe the Council's mission should be to run the town as efficiently as possible. As someone who graduated from the Beach and now lives in the Boro, I'm not sure that the Beach or the Boro has done that for years.
puppet watcher
9:56 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
Laura,
I don't think Mr. Corbally is trying to change the dynamics of the town,I think he is simply stating the reality of what is happening in our town...
Praia Algarve
8:23 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
Unfortunately I am just a retired bricklayer and my days of doing business are long over. The rough numbers you say are not horrible. By the size of some of the properties I would think 1.5 to 3 million is ok considering what the cost of residential lots sell for. Square footage of the motel lots are quite substantial and they are income properties with dense unit to property square foot ratio. Let us be honest many have paid small fortunes for real estate in town, ungodly prices. Look what you can buy in this Borough for $700k,$800k, 1million, it is not much land and your house provide no income for you. From an investment stand point a large income generating property is an excellent business. You work the business over the years, pay your bills, pay yourself and sit on the land as it increases in value. I never have owned a motel but I had apartment buildings and we always bought them happily if the income paid for the expenses, it was even ok to lose a little money. Property always goes up in value, there are high and low times but historically property always increase in value. Is these numbers you say from knowing or speculation? This is your model? I believe a man can make what he wants, if he wants to make a auto service station, restaurant or motel it is his choice not the Council to tell him what he can make. Why do you say "we will and should lose 3-4 more motels". Is this your decision to make? Aren't residents and business equal if they pay tax?
Praia Algarve
8:55 am on Friday, March 18, 2011
Mr.PW, I learn in America that a man can open a bikini shop in Alaska if he wants. It is his business to do so even if a bad idea.
Also the reality is - like I have seen in Europe and also you can see in Seaside Heights NJ. Bank of India loans money to citizens of India at 0% for foreign investment. The Bank knows the money will return to India. The money has no cost they can pay higher prices for property and business such as motel. They bleed the property for cash with no concern for community. This type of foreign investor is bad for a community. I fear that current ownership of properties will sell to this type of investor then you have a bad management like we have seen at Harbor Lights property.
Every action has a reaction. It is proper to know facts and be helpful to business as they pay taxes too and in more substantial amounts than most residents. How much tax must Jenkinson Beach pay? It must be ungodly.
Good day. I find this a good flow of ideas. I thank everyone kindly for good informations.