Manager Wrestled Gun From Employee In Gloucester Twp.: Police

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — The store manager at a Mavis Discount Tire store in Gloucester Township was able to wrestle a gun away from a disgruntled employee who threatened him over the weekend, police said.

Dean Hardwick, 34 of Gloucester Township, was upset about a verbal reprimand he received while he was at work on Saturday, police said. He told the store manager that he was leaving, and that he would return with “something for him.”

When he returned 15 minutes later, he was armed with a loaded small .380 caliber, and he was moving toward the main lobby, according to Gloucester Township police. There were several people in the lobby at the time.

As Hardwick moved toward the lobby, the store manager tackled him to the ground and wrestled the gun away from him, police said. Another employee retrieved the gun, which was turned over to police.

No one was injured in the incident. Officers from the Gloucester Township and Winslow Township police departments responded to the scene.

Hardwick was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, terroristic threats, and simple assault. He was remanded to Camden County Correctional Facility in accordance with New Jersey Bail Reform.