BRIDGEWATER MAN INVOLVED IN BARRICADED INCIDENT CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT FOLLOWING SWAT STANDOFF

BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Bridgewater Township Chief of Police John B. Mitzak announced the arrest of Alonzo D. Blakey, age 50, Columbia Drive, Bridgewater, N.J., following an investigation into a barricaded incident that occurred in the morning hours of November 10, 2023, in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey.Prosecutor McDonald stated that on November 10, 2023, at approximately 7:19 a.m., Bridgewater Police Department received a 9-1-1 call for an unknown problem at a residence on Columbia Drive in Bridgewater. Additional 9-1-1 calls were received from family members with concerns for an adult female relative that was reported to be in the residence against her will. Officers from the Bridgewater Township Police Department responded to the residence. Upon arrival investigation revealed that the entry to the residence was barricaded and the suspect, identified as Alonzo Blakey, was inside the residence, holding the female against her will and threatening to hurt himself and the female victim. The Somerset County Emergency Response Team was requested by Bridgewater Township Police through Somerset County Communications Center and activated. 

Members of the Somerset County SWAT Team, the Somerset County Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT), Somerset County SWAT Team Tactical Medics and members of Somerset County Communications Field Mobile Command Post responded to the scene. Prosecutor McDonald stated that for approximately four hours members of the Somerset County Crisis Negotiations Team attempted to negotiate with Blakey. SWAT officers who were staged in a tactical position to make an immediate entry subsequently heard the victim screaming from within the residence. Immediately members of the SWAT team initiated an explosive breach of the front door of the residence, which was barricaded with various items and furniture. Upon making entry the female victim ran towards the SWAT Officers who were able to rescue her and remove her from the residence. The female victim had apparent stab wounds and lacerations to her face and hand. Simultaneously, SWAT officers encountered Blakey who collapsed to the floor. As SWAT Officers approached Blakey, he was observed to have self-inflicted stab wounds to his arm. SWAT Officers placed Blakey into custody and applied a tourniquet as a life-saving measure due to the severity of his injuries. SWAT Officers along with Tactical Medics assigned to the Somerset County SWAT Team from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital rendered life-saving emergency aid at the scene to both Blakey and the victim. Both were transported to an area trauma center for medical attention and are expected to survive.Prosecutor McDonald stated that detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Bridgewater Police Department responded to investigate this matter. Defendant Blakey was subsequently charged 2nd degree Aggravated Assault, 3rd degree Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, and 4th degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Defendant Blakey remains at an area trauma center under police guard by the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office. Upon release defendant Blakey will be transported to the Somerset County Jail by the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office where he will be lodged pending a detention hearing. The matter remains under investigation.

Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Roman, and Chief Mitzak request anyone with information relating to this incident to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Bridgewater Township Police Department at (908) 722-4111 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.NOTE: The charges are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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