A 60-year-old Toms River man was arrested Sunday morning after allegedly impersonating a law enforcement officer and dropping a firearm in a church in Point Pleasant Beach, according to police.
The incident occurred at 9:53 a.m. when Point Pleasant Beach police were called to a church after witnesses reported a man had dropped a gun from his pocket during a service. Security had already escorted Tashman outside by the time officers arrived.
Police say Tashman falsely claimed to be a law enforcement officer when questioned. Upon further investigation, authorities determined that he was not an officer, did not own the firearm, and lacked a valid firearms identification card.
Tashman has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and impersonating a law enforcement officer.