ELIZABETH — A Middlesex County man has been convicted of a burglary charge in connection with a 2011 incident in which a Plainfield resident walked in on the crime in progress, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park said yesterday.
A Union County jury last week took 23 minutes to find Henry Tukes, 42, of Piscataway, guilty following a three-day retrial of a case that resulted in a hung jury earlier this year.
The victim in the case left his home on West Second Street in Plainfield sometime around midday on Aug. 15, 2011 to take his wife out to lunch, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Shawn Barnes, who prosecuted the case. When the man returned, he noticed signs of a break-in and asked his wife to wait outside, said Barnes.
The man went inside and spotted Tukes crouching in a corner. Tukes ran, but the victim cut across the block in an effort to prevent his escape. The man’s wife called 911, and officers arrived within seconds and made the arrest.
An investigation revealed that entry was achieved through a basement window of the home. Tukes, who has 13 prior felony convictions dating back to 1989, is facing an extended term of up to 10 years in state prison when he is sentenced later this year.