A Jackson man was arrested after allegedly threatening a coworker with a meat cleaver during an altercation at a Lakewood Township restaurant on Thursday, TLS has learned.

According to the Lakewood Police Department, officers responded to a report of an assault involving a weapon at approximately 2:35 p.m. at a restaurant located within the township.

Police said the incident began as a verbal argument between coworkers inside the kitchen area of the business. During the dispute, the suspect allegedly armed himself with a meat cleaver and threatened the victim. No injuries were reported.

The investigation, conducted by Officer Madrigal, led to the identification of the suspect as Qing Zheng. Zheng was later located at his residence in Jackson, where he was taken into custody and transported to Lakewood Police Headquarters for processing without incident.

Zheng was charged on a complaint warrant with simple assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and terroristic threats. He was subsequently lodged at the Ocean County Jail.