Cops say restaurant manager threatened to shoot employees

BOB VOSSELLER

Asbury Park Press

STAFF WRITER

July 31, 2009

STAFFORD — A Mays Landing man who worked as the manager of an IHOP in Manahawkin was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, making terroristic threats and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose on July 26.

Steven Brooks' bail was set at $50,000 following his arrest by Det. Joseph Mrazek. He has been released from the Ocean County Jail in Toms River.

A police report states that on July 25 Brooks, 49, allegedly confronted three employees about company policy at the IHOP while the employees were on break. During the confrontation Brooks allegedly told the employees to go back into the restaurant or he was going to shoot them. According to the police, when one of the employees made a sarcastic comment, Brooks became agitated and walked to his vehicle, a black Toyota, reached into the rear passenger seat and pulled out a silver handgun.
Brooks then allegedly pointed the gun at the employees and stated to them to step back or he would shoot. He then left the scene in his vehicle.

Further investigation revealed the gun Brooks was in possession of was a pellet/BB gun. He was arrested in the IHOP parking lot the following morning and a search warrant was executed on his Merion Court, Mays Landing residence.

The search revealed two pellet/BB guns which he owned along with a shotgun and two handguns which were legally owned by another occupant of the residence.