By: Richard L. Smith
A tense standoff tool place in Wayne after police responded to reports of an intruder inside an apartment on Lancaster Court.
According to a statement released by the Wayne Police Department, officers were dispatched around 1:40 p.m. after a woman reported that a man had illegally entered her residence and remained inside.
The woman, who was not at home during the incident, informed police that the suspect had sent her images from inside the apartment.
Upon arrival, officials said officers discovered the suspect’s car parked outside. Despite attempts to enter, all apartment doors were locked.
Officers soon spotted the suspect through a window.
Efforts to communicate were initiated by the Wayne Police Communications Bureau, who contacted the suspect by phone.
Officers established a perimeter around the apartment and set up a command post. Although the suspect initially agreed to surrender, he later ceased communication and failed to exit the premises.
Following standard protocols set by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the Wayne Police Crisis Negotiations Unit and the Passaic County SWAT Team were called to assist.
Using specialized equipment and techniques, officers determined the suspect was lying on the floor and unresponsive.
Concerned for his well-being, officers forcibly entered the apartment, where they found the suspect semi-conscious, surrounded by drug paraphernalia.
He appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance. Medical personnel from the Wayne First Aid Squad administered care at the scene before transporting him to Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson.
The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Hisham N. Obaid of Wayne, was charged with burglary, criminal contempt of a court order, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Obaid was processed and transferred to the Passaic County Jail, where he awaits a detention hearing.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.