Lakewood man seen ‘running for his life’ prompts SWAT response to home

LAKEWOOD — Police are looking for witnesses who can shed more light on a frightening situation Friday afternoon that culminated with heavily armed police descending on a neighborhood.

Police were called to the area of Ocean Avenue and Cherry Street about 1 p.m. after someone called 911 to report that they had picked up a man seen “running for his life on Ocean Avenue,” police said.

“According to the caller, the male had jumped from a second floor window in his home after he was confronted by three armed men,” Detective Lt. Gregory Staffordsmith, a police spokesman, said.

The man said he opened his bedroom door and saw the three armed on the other side.

"Upon seeing this, the man ran and jumped out of a second floor window," Staffordsmith said.

After making a “tactical entry” into the home, police did not find anyone.

Staffordsmith said the man “did not sustain any obvious injuries, but Lakewood EMS was contacted to evaluate further.”

Police ask any witnesses to call 732-363-0200 ext. 5341.

The response to the scene included the department’s Special Response Team and its negotiator; the Ocean County Sheriff's Department's K-9 Unit, CSI and Special Response Team; and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-359-5348 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.