Jackson man threatens two teens riding dirt bikes near his house

Two teenagers out for a ride on their dirt bikes got an unpleasant surprise on their way through a Jackson neighborhood.

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Jackson Police said four of their officers responded to Nancy Court Friday afternoon after getting a call that a man was holding two people hostage at gun point.

The officers searched the wooded area by the home and learned from Dispatch that the victims were being held on Werko Place.

Officers then found one of the victim's standing in the woods with his phone up to his ear.

Police then spotted a loaded 22-caliber rifle about 25 feet from where he was standing as well as multiple rounds located in the man's pocket.

The two victims, who were reportedly held at gun point, told police that they were encountered by the armed suspect as they were trying to navigate their way out of the woods while they were riding their dirt bikes.

They told police that the suspect had pointed the firearm at them several times and would not allow them to leave, directing them to exit their bikes and to come with him.

One of the victims refused to comply and so the suspect then reportedly pressed the muzzle of the firearm into his stomach with his finger on the trigger as a scare tactic, police said.

The victims then told police the suspect said that he would be contacting both victim’s parents before calling the police himself.

The suspect told police that he was sitting in his home when he could see two people drive past his house on dirt bikes.

He then exited his home with his 22 Caliber rifle and entered the woods looking for the individuals.

The suspect then told police that he did not point his rifle at the two individuals and had the rifle under his arm when he approached them.

The suspect, later identified as Roger Stewart, was arrested and charged with Possession of Weapons for Unlawful Purposes and Aggravated Assault.

Stewart was lodged in the Ocean County Jail as a result of his charges.

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