METUCHEN — Police arrested two men and charged them with burglary in connection with an incident that occurred during the early morning hours of April 10.
Officer David Liantonio said Cpl. J.P. Therrien was on patrol shortly after 4 a.m. when he observed a man running away from the Metuchen Food Market on Central Avenue with a bag in his hand. Therrien then noticed that the bottom half of the store’s front door glass had been smashed.
Liantonio said a center-punch was used to break the door glass.
Lionel Stokes, 42, who police said may be homeless, was arrested and charged with burglary, theft, possession of burglary tools and resisting arrest.
The bag he was holding contained 13 cartons of cigarettes valued at $581, Liantonio said.
Meanwhile, Jessie Barnes, 46, Hamilton, was observed in a Liberty Street parking lot by Sgt. Sandy MacMath sitting in what was believed to be the getaway vehicle.
Barnes was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and theft.
Both men were held at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, North Brunswick, on $25,000 bail, with no 10 percent option.
— Bryan Sabella