Man Trying to Avoid Traffic Warrant Allegedly Found With Loaded Assault Rifle

A Kinnelon man trying to avoid being served a traffic warrant Sunday allegedly slammed a door in the face of a police sergeant and locked himself in his apartment where a loaded assault rifle was later found, police said Tuesday.

arrested Matthew T. Manges, 42, on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm after police said he allegedly slammed a door in a police sergeant's face and locked himself in his apartment.

Police said Sgt. Christopher Burns went to Manges’ apartment on Garden Place around 8:56 p.m. to serve him a traffic warrant. Police said that upon arriving at the apartment, Burns saw Manges in a common hallway and informed him that he had a warrant and that Manges would need to come to the police station to pay bail.

Police said Manges was not wearing shoes and that he then asked Burns if he could go retrieve shoes from his apartment. Burns agreed, police said, and followed Manges to his apartment, at which point police said Manges allegedly slammed and locked the door, leaving Burns outside. Police said Manges spoke with Burns through the door and after a short period of time, police said Manges was taken into custody.

Police said that during the incident, Burns observed a Bushmaster assault rifle in an open closet at Manges' apartment. Police also said that the rifle was loaded with 22 rounds in the magazine and a round in the chamber, apparently ready to be fired.

Manges was charged with unlawful possession of a loaded assault rifle, possession of a firearm without a firearm identification card and contempt of court. He was transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility in default of $2,350 bail.