The suspect's attempt to elude authorities culminated with a tense standoff at his apartment in Highlands Borough. Watch video
For the first time since stun guns were approved for use by law enforcement in the state, an officer in Monmouth County used one Friday to subdue a suspect. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)HIGHLANDS BOROUGH -- After a tense standoff with authorities, police used a stun gun to subdue a borough man outside his home Friday, the first time an officer has used a Taser in Monmouth County.
Jeffrey Olander, 51, first fled from police at around 3:35 p.m. on Thursday, after an officer tried to stop the Highlands resident for a motor-vehicle violation, said Charles Webster, spokesman for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Officer.
For the next 12 hours, Olander attempted to elude authorities through a car pursuit and by barricading himself inside his own home, even threatening to shoot police at one point.
Authorities eventually used a conductive energy device (CED), commonly called Tasers after the weapon's leading manufacturer, to subdue Olander and take him into custody.
That was the first time a Monmouth County officer used a Taser since they were first approved for use by law enforcement in the state in 2009. A year later, after a slow start, then Attorney General Paula Dow loosened restrictions on law enforcement's use of stun guns.
Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni applauded the officers for using the device.
"The use of conductive energy devices is a valuable tool for law enforcement and can be a lifesaver," Gramiccioni said. "Without our ability to use CEDs, this my have ended in a very tragic way because the man was armed, acting erratically and potentially dangerous."
An Atlantic Highland police officer attempted to stop Olander in his 2011 Dodge Charger for a motor-vehicle violation. While trying to stop Olander, he suddenly pumped his breaks, causing a minor fender-bender with the officer.
After speaking with the officer for a short period of time, Olander sped away in his Charger and led police on a chase through Middletown, Webster said.
Police were able to locate Olander in Highlands, and attempted to pull him over for a second time shortly before 4 p.m. on Thursday. The officer was walking towards the Charger when Olander fled.
Nearly eight hours later, at 11:34 p.m., Highlands police found Olander at his residence in the Eastpointe condominium complex, where he lives in an apartment on the 14th floor.
Police tried to arrest him at his residence but he refused to surrender, Webster said. He then threatened to shoot the officers, Webster added.
Knowing Olander owns several guns, police called in the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and started telling residents in neighboring apartment units to leave.
Members of the CERT tried to persuade Olander to surrender at around 3:40 a.m., but he again refused, and started taunting the officers, Webster said.
Authorities also tried to use a K-9 officer to arrest Olander to no avail.
Shortly before 4 a.m., Olander emerged from his apartment and that's when authorities used the Taser to subdue him and take him into custody, Webster said.
Olander was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault while eluding and eluding. He could receive additional charges following the investigation, Webster said.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.