Belleville Woman Meets Shopping-Bag Carrying Home Burglar: Cops

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A Belleville woman had a mid-day encounter with a shopping bag-carrying burglar in her apartment earlier this month, authorities said.

According to the Belleville Police Department, the encounter took place around 11:41 a.m. on May 14, when a Newark Avenue resident heard a window shatter in her apartment. The resident then saw a person crawl through the open window into her home.

She ran from the home and called the police, authorities said.

On arrival, Belleville officers found a smashed window and a backpack on the ground. The officers entered the home, finding a man holding a shopping bag. After he spotted the officers, the man fled into the bedroom and closed the door, authorities said.

The alleged burglar then tried to make his escape by pushing an air conditioner out of its mooring, police said.

Belleville officers were able to gain entry into the bedroom and took the man into custody after a brief struggle, police said.

Authorities charged the alleged intruder, Jose Perez, 55, of Newark, with burglary, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief and resisting arrest. Perez also had an active Newark warrant, police said.

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