A Galloway man was arrested after a 3½-hour standoff with police that caused a school and neighborhood to shelter in place.
Police received a call from a suicidal man shortly before 11 a.m., from the 300 block of East Ridgewood Avenue, police said.
When they got there, Michael Piperato was holding a machete and started to walk away from the officers, and in and out of the woods, according to the report.
Officers set up a perimeter and kept their eyes on the man. He then walked in and out of several neighbors yards as officers negotiated with him.
All civilians were cleared from the area and a “Swift Reach” notification was sent out, advising residents to shelter in place and remain inside of their residences. That warning was passed on to many in Galloway who were outside the affected area, Police Chief Donna Higbee later told BreakingAC.
Superintendent Annette Giaquinto sent an email to parents just after noon telling them that Galloway Township police requested a shelter in place at the Arthur Rann Elementary School "due to police activity in the area."
Giaquinto warned parents not to come to the school because no one was allowed to come into or out of the building.
All classes and activities were proceeding as normal, she said.
The Atlantic County SWAT Team was activated and active negotiations continued with Piperato, police said.
The incident was contained with the help of officers from multiple agencies, including the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, the Atlantic County SWAT team, the Atlantic City SWAT Team, as well as officers from the Egg Harbor Township and Pleasantville police departments and a K-9 officer from Ventnor.
Piperato was taken into custody around 2:30 p.m .
“Through the quick and decisive actions of the initial responding officers and the exceptional restraint and active de-escalation skills used by all, this incident came to a successful end, with no injury to Mr. Piperato or any police officers,” police said.
Piperato, 29, was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, terroristic threats and obstruction of justice.
He was taken to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s City Campus in Atlantic City for evaluation.
In addition to thanking the responding agencies, Galloway police expressed appreciation to residents, “especially those of that immediate area of the township, for their patience, understanding and cooperation, during this stressful incident.”
