State Police: Long Valley man stole car, threatened ex

WASHINGTON TWP. – A 29-year-old man who made suicidal threats and ran off with a knife Monday afternoon was found later that evening in Sussex Borough after stealing a car and threatening his ex-girlfriend, State Police Sgt. Jeff Flynn said.

At about 1:07 p.m. Monday, a Fawnridge Drive resident called police requesting help with their son, Ryan Brennan, 29, of Long Valley, who had made suicidal threats and then left the home with a knife, Lt. Douglas Compton said.

Authorities searched the immediate area surrounding his parents' home, but failed to locate Brennan, Compton said.

Washington Township Police then called for support services to assist in the search, including NJ State Police Aviation Unit, Morris County K-9 Unit, Morris County Prosecutor's Office Missing Persons Unit, and the Morris County Park Police Search and Rescue Team.

Additional officers, K-9 units, all-terrain vehicles, and helicopters were soon deployed to the area to conduct an extensive search for several hours, but Brennan was not located, Compton said.

At the same time, Washington Township detectives and Hackettstown officers attempted to locate Brennan at several addresses in the Hackettstown area, but did not find him, Compton said.

The search was called off when it began to get dark, and Brennan was entered as a missing person through the National Crime Information Center. The investigation was turned over to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Missing Persons Unit, Compton said.

Several hours later Washington Township Police were contacted by State Police in Sussex County, saying they had located Brennan and had him in custody.

Brennan had allegedly stolen a GMC Sierra from a Drakestown Road residence after he had been reported missing and driven it to his ex-girlfriend's residence on Walnut Street in Sussex Borough, Flynn said.

Brennan entered the residence with a knife and made threats towards the occupants, three adults – including his ex-girlfriend – plus two children, Flynn said.

One of the occupants was able to dial 911, and State Police arrived and took Brennan into custody without further incident, Flynn said. No injuries were reported.

Brennan was charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, criminal restraint, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, endangering the welfare of a child, receiving stolen property, contempt of court, unlawful possession of a weapon, and criminal mischief.

No additional charges were filed by Washington Township police.

Brennan's bail was set at $200,000, Flynn said.

Brennan is currently in Sussex County Jail awaiting a court hearing, Compton said.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@dailyrecord.com

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