Metuchen police arrest burglary suspect
Suspect attempted to flee out third-floor window; eventually apprehended in attic
BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer
Metuchen police arrested and charged a 51-year-old Plainfield man last week for aggravated assault in the second degree upon a 64-year-old man at the victim's Grove Avenue residence on June 6.

Police were dispatched to the residence at 5:41 p.m. after a neighbor called 911 and reported that a black male was crouching down at a basement rear window of the residence, police said.

Sgt. Steven Menafro responded to the scene along with several on-duty and off-duty police officers, including Police Chief James Keane.

Once on the scene, Menafro observed the suspect, through an open window, standing over the victim, attempting to tie him up with his own shoelaces, police said.

When the sergeant gave a verbal command for the suspect to stop what he was doing, Dixon ran up to the third floor. The victim was able at that point to unlock the front door and let police in, police said.

According to police, the victim's 63-year-old wife had locked herself in the third-floor bedroom and was not hurt.

Several police officers headed into the home and several other police officers surrounded the home.

The suspect had run up to the third floor, attempting to make his escape through a window, police said.

"He had one leg out of the window when he saw the police officers outside of the house," said Patrolman David Liantonio. "He had retreated back into the home."

Menafro and Keane found Dixon hiding in the attic and arrested him without incident.

The 64-year-old victim suffered facial abrasions, swelling, and a bloody nose.

"He lost a significant amount of blood and is still [June 9] at JFK Medical Center [in Edison]," said Liantonio.

Police also charged Dixon with burglary, robbery of money from the victim's wallet, criminal restraint, and possession of burglary tools (two screwdrivers). Dixon was also found to have warrants out of numerous jurisdictions, police said.

Dixon was transported to the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center in North Brunswick, and his bail was set at $250,000 with no 10 percent option, police said.