Weapons found in worker’s car spurs movie theatre evacuation

HOWELL, N.J. – Hundreds of people were safely evacuated from a movie theatre after authorities say guns, ammunition and a grenade were found in a theatre employee’s car.

Howell police say Jacob Cavanaugh faces weapons charges. But they don’t believe the 24-year-old Manchester man intended to harm anyone at the Xscape theatre Friday night.

Police say the theatre’s manager approached an officer and said another employee reported that Cavanaugh had shown him guns in his car earlier in the week.

The officer got Cavanaugh’s permission to search the car. Authorities say they found a bullet-proof vest, a grenade and two revolvers — one empty and one loaded with hollow point bullets.

The theatre was evacuated after Cavanaugh allegedly said he had access to another grenade.

It’s not known if Cavanaugh’s retained an attorney.