Hoboken Resident Makes Citizen's Arrest, Grabs Suspected Burglar: Police

Hoboken, NJ – A Hoboken man made a citizen’s arrest of a suspected home burglar early Monday morning, authorities stated.

According to the Hoboken Police Department, officers arrived at a Washington Street apartment building around 1:51 a.m. on a report of a burglary in progress.

There, the officers found the resident restraining Joseph Mayhan, 54, of Hoboken, who he allegedly caught trespassing in the apartment.

Mayhan reportedly attempted to leave the home once he realized it was occupied, but instead of letting him go, the resident grabbed and held him until police arrived, authorities stated.

After placing Mayhan in custody, officers found that he had multiple outstanding warrants from Hoboken, Jersey City, Trenton and Newark.

No one sustained any injuries and nothing was taken from the apartment, police said.

Mayhan was remanded to the Hudson County Correctional Facility on $10,000 bail in full.

Hoboken Detective Edgardo Cruz told Patch that Mayhan and the resident did not know each other prior to the incident.

When Patch asked about the legality of “holding” a suspected burglar if caught in someone’s home, Cruz said that anyone trespassing in a resident’s home can be held until police arrive.

That being said, Cruz doesn’t recommend that you try this at home.

“We do not encourage anyone in a situation like this to attempt to make an apprehension themselves as they run the risk of serious bodily injury,” Cruz told Patch. “The best way to help is to be the best witness one can be.”

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