A local fugitive who kept police at bay and an Egg Harbor Township neighborhood up all night was finally in custody after a standoff that lasted more than 26 hours.
Prentiss Blaylock, 37, was holed up inside a barn on his vast property on Ivins Avenue, after spending time atop the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office Most Wanted list.
Law enforcement agencies including sheriff's officers, FBI, Absecon police, a Cape May County SWAT team and the Atlantic City Bomb Squad joined Egg Harbor Township police in the standoff.
"Thank you!" a neighbor called out as things wrapped up. "A job well done."
The street has been a regular spot for police recently, the woman explained, with the focus on Blaylock.
Blaylock was wanted for questioning after his home burned down at 3083 Ivins Ave. on April 10. The cause of the fire was under investigation. He was not a suspect in the fire at the time.
What remains of Blaylock's home after fire.But he was a fugitive, failing to show up at his sentencing on charges that included child endangerment, aggravated assault and theft, court records show.
"I served my time!" the neighbor said Blaylock screamed when police first arrived on the scene this Thursday morning, around 10:30 a.m.
He was last arrested Aug. 29, 2021, after he was tasered for displaying threatening behavior while armed with a handgun, police said at the time.
Blaylock was released from the Atlantic County Justice Facility this past November, after more than two years in custody, with sentencing pending Dec. 6, according to the plea agreement obtained by BreakingAC.
He faced a six-year term with 3½ years of parole ineligibility for unlawful possession of a handgun. Several other counts were to be served concurrent to that one with no minimum required.
"State may withdraw plea if defendant fails to show or get new charges," the form reads.
Blaylock apparently did both.
Not only did he not show up for sentencing in December, he wound up charged in March, after a John Deere backhoe was stolen from a construction site.
The equipment's GPS led to the back of Blaylock's property.
Christopher Reising, Blaylock's brother, told police that he saw Eugene Healey — a man who lives in a separate home on the property — steal the backhoe.
Reising "also advised Prentiss that (the backhoe) was there, and for him not to touch it," according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC in that case.
Parole was not able to contact either Blaylock or Healey at that time, the affidavit states.
Details about Blaylock's arrest Friday were not immediately available.
A drone and the Bomb Squad's remote robot were used at various points during the hourslong incident.
The barn where Prentiss Blaylock was holed up. A stand with police lights can be seen.Around 12:30 Friday afternoon, police went into the barn with an armored vehicle, with several officers outside appearing to watch what was going on down the road on surveillance.
Blaylock was finally brought out and put on a stretcher to be taken to the hospital for observation, township Police Capt. Cherie Burgan said.
No injuries were reported, she said.
But another law enforcement source told BreakingAC that Narcan — used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose — was administered to Blaylock.
His boots and some other clothing were left behind in the street.
Blaylock's clothing in the street after he was taken to the hospital.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
