On March 17, 2010, at 9:32 PM officers responded to a report of a vehicle burglary-in-progress in the rear of 23 E. Elizabeth Ave. The victim, male, age 37, owner of Meson Tropical restaurant, told officers he was closing his business and went to his car, a 1996 Jeep Cherokee, which was parked in the rear of the restaurant, when he observed a male standing with his body half inside the vehicle. The victim then shouted at the suspect,"what are you doing?" The suspect tried to run from the scene, but the victim pinned him up against a wall and told a neighbor to call 9-1-1.

A further investigation showed the center console of the vehicle was ransacked as well as a briefcase on the rear floor compartment of the vehicle. The suspect had in his possession a handcuff key which was taken from a set of handcuffs in the briefcase. The victim is also employed by a halfway house in Newark.

The suspect, Hicham Elaroussi, male, age 38, of Linden, was arrested and charged with third degree burglary. Bail was set at $15,000.00 and he was sent to the Union County Jail with a court date set for March 24^th.