On April 1, 2011, Roselle Park Police responded to the 100 block of Sherman Avenue for a report of a residential burglary. The victim stated that he backed his truck into the driveway and entered the residence through the backdoor. As he walked through the kitchen, he noticed that the office area was completely in disarray. He then noticed that the front door was broken down. He immediately exited the residence through the same backdoor that he entered and contacted police. The burglary appeared to have just occurred and other witnesses indicated observing a suspicious black Kia Soul in the area just prior to the burglary.
A preliminary investigation by Patrolman James Kompany confirmed a Kia Soul was captured on a nearby business’ video security camera. This suspect vehicle information was broadcast to all surrounding agencies and at approximately 10:30pm., Union Police made an arrest of two (2) males driving a late model Kia Soul who were in possession of several pieces of jewelry. A follow-up investigation by Detectives Dominick Frino and Hussam Assad resulted in the positive identification of the jewelry by the victim and an admission of the burglary by both suspects.
Carlos Metaute, age 22 of Elizabeth, and Mohammad Abdeljawad, age 27 of Elizabeth, were arrested and charged with 2C:18-2(a)(1) (burglary); 2C:20-3A (theft), and 2C:17-3 (criminal mischief). They were both committed to Union County Jail in lieu of $35,000.00 bail pending a Superior Court date of April 15, 2011.