Holmdel Man Indicted for Alleged Break-in of Hazlet Home

A Holmdel man who police say attempted to break into a Hazlet home with a crowbar was indicted by a Monmouth County Grand Jury on Sept. 12 for one count of attempted burglary.

The jury's decision means Brian Hilliard, 30, of Holmdel will stand trial for the April 11 incident at a house on Craig Street.

According to Hazlet Police Det. Charles McBride, Hilliard was confronted by the Craig Street homeowner, identified in court documents as "G.R." as Hilliard was trying to pry open the man's front door. The homeowner had been waiting for his chidren at a bus stop, he said. 

Hilliard told the homeowner he made a mistake and had the wrong house, according to the police report. After a verbal exchange, Hilliard grabbed the homeowner, and a tussle ensued, the report says.

At that point Ronald Fuertez, 30, of Union Beach left Hilliard's parked SUV, took the crowbar away from Hilliard, and the two men left in Hilliard's vehicle, McBride said.

The homeowner reported the license plate to Hazlet police around 4:24 p.m., who arrested Hilliard shortly afterwards at his home at 130 Gettysburg Lane in Holmdel. Hazlet Police charged him with criminal attempted burlgary, possession of tools used to commit burglary, and conspiracy. Police recovered the crowbar, McBride said. There were no reported injuries.

Ronald Fuertez, of 209 Dock Street in Union Beach, was also arrested by Union Beach police on related charges. He was indicted on Sept. 12 for unlawful possesion of a knife.

According to police, Ronald Fuertez is married to Michelle Fuertez, who had a complaint against the homeowner. Hazlet Police charged Michelle Fuertez, also of 209 Dock Street in Union Beach, with conspiracy.

The Grand Jury's vote does not determine guilt or innocence, only that charges may be brought against the people named in the indictment.