Armed man arrested in NJ school parking lot

NEW JERSEY (FOX 5 NY) - A man in possesion of a loaded gun and several rounds of amunition faces multiple charges after he was arrested in the parking lot of a school in New Jersey.

Thomas J. Wilkie, 46, of Bear, Delaware, was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, fourth-degree possession of hollow-point bullets, and fourth-degree trespassing on school grounds.

Wilkie was wanted by Delaware State Police who alerted cops in Westfield that he might be headed to the Tamaques School lot.

Wesfield police found Wilkie sitting in an 2019 Mitubishi SUV just before 4 p.m. Thursday.

After-school activities were underway at the time. The school was placed in lockdown.

A security sweep of the property did not turn up anything suspicious, according to police.

Wilkies was placed in Union County Jail pending a first appearance and detention hearing on June 19.

If convicted on a second-degree criminal charge, Wilkies could face five to 10 years in state prison.

Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted his appreciation to local and state police for their swift response, but added that an active investigation was underway.