Brick Man Chased, Charged In Car Burglary: Police

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township man was arrested Saturday after a resident called police to report a person breaking into a vehicle, police said Monday.

Marquise Harris, 23, of Brick, was arrested after police chased him through backyards of homes in the neighborhood, Brick Patrolman Keith Donnelly said in a news release.

Harris is believed to be responsible for a string of vehicle break-ins that have happened on the north side of Brick, Donnelly said.

Police were called shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday by a 5th Avenue resident who had been standing outside their home and had seen someone in their car and heard the car door close.

Brick Sgt. Paul Catalina, A/Sgt. Jason Shepherd, Patrolman Marc Alexander, Patrolman Finelli, Patrolman Bennett, Patrolman Barlowski, Patrolman Oliverio, Patrolman Mesmer, Patrolman J. Riccio and Patrolman Bailey responded,. and Bennett saw a man in dark clothing walking on Maple Avenue from 2nd Avenue toward 1st Avenue. The officers lost sight of the man, so they established a perimeter and started searching.

Riccio heard what sounded like a person climbing a fence behind a home on 1st Avenue and when he checked he saw a man matching the description given by Bennett. They ordered the man to stop but he took off, with Riccio, Bennett and Bailey chasing him. They caught the man, later identified as Harris, in a neighboring backyard and arrested him after a brief struggle. Donnelly said.

Riccio sustained minor injuries during the struggle and was treated at the scene by EMS, Donnelly said.

Harris was taken to Ocean Medical Center, Brick, for treatment and released Hospital for an evaluation.

Harris was charged with third-degree aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, obstructing the administration of law, third-degree resisting arrest by force, third-degree burglary, and theft, which is a disorderly persons offense.

"We are hopeful that this arrest will put an end to the vehicle burglaries that have been affecting the north side of Brick Township," Donnelly said . "Residents are urged to report all vehicle burglaries and thefts from vehicles regardless of the cost or value of items taken. Most burglaries to vehicles occur to unlocked vehicles. We believe it is important to lock your vehicles even if you are home."

"The Brick Township Police takes a proactive response to preventing criminal activity. We recognize that it is our residents that often make the difference. As in this case, a resident saw something unusual, took quick action by contacting the police, thereby aiding officers in locating and arresting a night time predator. See something, say something (neighborhood watch)," police said.

Anybody with information regarding criminal activity can contact the police department and remain anonymous.

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Marquise Harris, photo via Ocean County Corrections Department