A Newark man is wanted after police say he threatened a coworker with a rifle inside a Popeyes restaurant in Montclair before fleeing the scene.

Montclair police responded to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen at 1 Lackawanna Plaza around 6:50 p.m. on June 26 after receiving a report that an armed man had entered the restaurant. Officers and detectives established a perimeter, safely evacuated the building and conducted a search.

During the response, an officer spotted a gray 2024 Honda Prologue leaving the parking lot and attempted a traffic stop. Police said the driver fled at a high rate of speed. Glen Ridge and Orange police pursued the vehicle, but the suspect escaped.

The investigation determined the suspect and victim were both employees of the restaurant. Police said the two had argued throughout the day, and the suspect left after his shift before returning about an hour later carrying what the victim described as a long gun wrapped in a gray sweatshirt. The victim told police the suspect threatened to kill her before she retreated to safety and called 911.

Officers searching the building recovered a loaded rifle wrapped in a gray sweatshirt from a first-floor men's restroom.

Police have charged Michael Barker, 28, of Newark, with multiple weapons offenses, terroristic threats and resisting arrest/eluding. He was not in custody as of Wednesday July 1.