A man accused of committing a burglary tried to change his appearance before being arrested by Washington Township police.

The 44-year-old suspect was arrested after Washington Township police officers responded to a call by one of the man’s neighbors. The victim called police because she heard someone attempting to break into her house. When the victim went to the rear of her house and turned on her backyard light, she reportedly found a startled suspect holding a window screen. According to the victim, the suspect immediately fled the scene.

When the officers arrived at the scene, they found the suspect in his house getting his hair cut by his girlfriend. Police said that the haircut “was an obvious attempt to change his appearance.” The suspect’s head was partially shaved when the officers interrupted the impromptu haircut.

If he is convicted of burglary, the suspect could face serious prison time. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2, burglary is usually classified as a third degree felony, punishable by as many as five (5) years in New Jersey State Prison.

When he was arrested, the suspect was intoxicated. As a result, Washington Township officers first brought him to Bergen Regional Medical Center before transferring him to the Bergen County Jail. The suspect was being held at the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $10,000.00 bail.

To learn more about this case, read the CliffviewPilot.com article entitled “Washington Township Police: Burglary Suspect Trying to Change His Look ‘Clipped.’“