Police: Hackettstown Man Caught Burglarizing Main Street Restaurant

A Hackettstown man was caught burglarizing a Main Street restaurant early Monday morning, police said.

Luis Avelar-Vazquez, 26, was charged with burglary, two counts of criminal mischief, possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of burglary tools.

According to Sgt. Darren Tynan, officers responded to a burglary in progress at House Restaurant at about 3 a.m. Monday. Officers saw a man inside the building who then unlocked the front door, Tynan said. 

The man, identified as Avelar-Vazquez, was transported to Hackettstown Regional Medical Center with an injury to his hand, Tynan said.

The police investigation revealed Avelar-Vazquez entered the restaurant by breaking a side window, Tynan said. While inside, Avelar-Vazquez damaged the cash register with a pair of metal shears in an attempt to get the cash inside, Tynan said.

Avelar-Vazquez, who was in possession of a burnt marijuana cigarette and a marijuana pipe, was lodged in the Warren County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, Tynan said.