BBQ fork used in Edison home invasion

• A Talmadge Road man said Phillips held a fork to his throat as he demanded cash and valuables.
• Phillips allegedly punched the resident in the stomach after he turned over his wallet and laptop.

EDISON A Maplewood man who allegedly forced his way into a Talmadge Road home and assaulted a resident while armed with a barbecue fork was arrested, police said.

Eric M. Phillips, 27, was charged on Monday with burglary, assault, possession of a weapon and possession of heroin in connection with the Sept. 28 home invasion, police said.

The resident told police an assailant forced his way into the home shortly before 4:30 p.m. and while holding a barbecue fork to the resident's throat demanded cash and valuables. The assailant punched the resident in the stomach after he turned over his wallet and a laptop computer and then ran out of the house before patrolmen arrived on the scene, police said.

Detective Ted Hamer, with assistance from the department's Special Operation Group and patrol officers, conducted the investigation that led to Phillips' arrest.

“Closing this case within a week is a credit to our detectives' solid police work,” Police Chief Thomas Bryan said in the statement. “Our department is especially sensitive to home invasions. Our primary mission is to ensure that all Edison residents are safe in their own homes and secure in their neighborhoods.”

Phillips is being held on $250,000 bail at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center in North Brunswick, police said.

Staff Writer Susan Loyer: 732-565-7243; sloyer@gannettnj.com