Crime & Safety

SWAT Team Honored for Apprehending Sand Bar Owner

Louis Cataldo to face grand jury within next two months in connection with allegedly shooting woman at Sand Bar, Brielle, and firing at police in Point Pleasant Borough

The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team North Platoon has received a statewide award for apprehending a Point Pleasant Borough man after he allegedly shot a woman in Brielle and fired at police outside his Borough home in June.

"The SWAT team was selected by the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association to receive this year’s coveted Gold Medal of Valor Award," according to a prepared statement from the Ocean County Prosecutor's office.  

The SWAT team is honored for apprehending Louis Cataldo, 62, at his home at the Bay Point Harbour development at the south end of Bay Avenue in Point Pleasant Borough.

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Cataldo, owner of the Sand Bar restaurant in Brielle, allegedly shot his restaurant manager there, fled to his home in the Borough and allegedly fired at police who he held off for hours before they apprehended him, according to police.

The victim was in the hospital for several days and then released, said Marc LeMieux, Director of Investigations for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's office, adding he is not releasing any details about her injury or current condition.

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Cataldo, who is still being held in Monmouth County jail in Freehold on $1.5 million bail and is being represented by attorney Charles Clark, based in Freehold, will likely face the grand jury within the next two months, LeMieux said. 

Charges from Brielle and Point Pleasant Borough have been merged into one case and are being handled by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's office, LeMieux said. Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Matthew Bogner is prosecuting the case.

The charges in each county are as follows:

In Monmouth County: attempted murder and possession of a weapon for an
unlawful purpose.

In Ocean County: an additional four counts of attempted murder plus weapons charges for allegedly firing on a police SWAT team.

Regarding the Gold Medal of Valor, "Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato last Thursday announced the selection of the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team North Platoon by the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association to receive this year’s coveted Gold Medal of Valor Award," according to a prepared statement from the prosecutor's office.  

The team was recognized for its outstanding police work at the annual Valor Awards Banquet at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City on Saturday.

The team was selected for its role in the apprehension of Cataldo, the owner who was accused of trying to kill his manager on June 18, the statement says.  

"Cataldo’s apprehension came after a five-hour standoff at his Point Pleasant residence, culminating with Cataldo being taken safely into custody despite firing his weapon," the statement continues.

At approximately 2 pm on June 18, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team North Platoon responded to a call at the home of Cataldo who was wanted in an attempted homicide.  

"Although the team had executed a search warrant in Berkeley just hours before, Sheriff’s Officer Danny Kuhn, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Det. John Dotto and Det. Brad Frank, and Manchester Ptl. Christopher Walaszek didn't hesitate to respond when called for duty," the statement says.  

The above officers held numerous posts during the slow process of securing the above address, eventually being assigned to the Crisis Entry Team.  

As the response unfolded, Cataldo came out of a second floor bedroom in which negotiations began and continued for the next four hours. Members of the Crisis Entry Team, now within close proximity of Cataldo, were instructed to take the subject into custody should the opportunity arise.

An opportunity presented itself as Kuhn presented a letter to Cataldo, written by his brother. During the transfer of the letter, Cataldo began a slow retreat toward the bathroom.  

Kuhn, Walaszek, Frank, and Dotto saw their opportunity and rushed toward the subject. The subject was able to grab a handgun and fired one round. Kuhn, along with Walaszekk, Dotto and Frank were able to overpower Cataldo and take him into custody. 

The official submission to the NJ PBA states that the four SWAT team members performed their duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. 

"While performing their duties on a highly trained SWAT Team, the named officers and detectives put themselves in harm’s way to bring Cataldo to justice," the statement says. 

"It was the above team members’ dedication and tenacious work ethic that set an outstanding example for fellow officers to follow. Their devotion to duty and tireless effort reflect great credit upon themselves, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, the Ocean County Sheriff's Office, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Manchester Police Department." 


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