Man Broke Into Middlesex Boro Market, Stole Lottery Tickets, Say PD

MIDDLESEX, NJ — A man broke into a Middlesex boro Minimart with a hammer, stole lottery tickets and then rode off on his bicycle before dawn Wednesday, said Middlesex Police Chief Matthew Geist.

At 3:15 a.m. police responded to 568 Union Avenue to investigate an activated burglar alarm. Upon arrival, Officer Bryan Rodrigues and Officer Christian Dulin observed the front door had been damaged and entry was gained to the business. The business owner reported the theft of lottery tickets.

Rodrigues located the burglary suspect traveling by bicycle near Marlborough Avenue. Officers from the Dunellen and Green Brook Police Departments responded. After approximately ten minutes of searching the area and pursuing the suspect on foot, Officer Rodrigues arrested the suspect, Joseph A. Holman, 44 of Willingboro, NJ.

Holman was transported to the hospital for evaluation of injuries sustained while eluding police officers. While hospital staff conducted a medical evaluation, Holman attempted to escape from the room and was subdued by Officer Dulin with assistance from security staff.

His backpack containing the stolen lottery tickets, along with the hammer that was used to make forcible entry into the business, said police. Holman was charged with burglary, criminal mischief, theft, possession of burglary tools, resisting arrest and eluding officers.