Clothes Off, Police Find Man Robbed By Machete-Wielding Suspect In Union County

SPRINGFIELD, NJ — A man was reunited with his clothes and phone after police say he was robbed by a suspect with a machete near Meisel Field on Sept. 23.

Tariq Crabbe, 35 of Elizabeth, was arrested and is charged with first-degree armed robbery, third-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third-degree theft, and fourth-degree criminal mischief.

On Sept. 23, Springfield Police responded to the area near Meisel Field for a report of an armed robbery. There, they found a man who did not live in the area, without his clothes and other personal belongings.

Crabbe allegedly asked the man to meet him at the park for an undisclosed reason. He then brought out a machete and threatened to hurt him if he did not give over items that he had, including his cell phone.

Crabbe then drove away in his car towards Morris Avenue East before parking in a Walgreens lot. He threw the man's clothing in the garbage outside.

After trying to destroy the man's cell phone by throwing it on the ground, Crabbe then tossed it in the garbage. He then drove away along Morris Avenue East.

Detectives were able to find the items and get surveillance video footage showing Crabbe and his vehicle. Later that evening, they arrested Crabbe in the parking lot of his home in Elizabeth.

He was taken to the Essex County Jail where he is awaiting a court appearance.

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