MANVILLE: Grand jury indicts Cook seventeen times for failed burglary, other incidents

Andrew Martins, Managing Editor
A 19-year-old man could face a state prison term of five to ten years for his alleged involvement in a string of burglaries that ended when he was shot in the chest by an off-duty police officer.
A Somerset County Grand Jury indicted Tyreek Cook, of Manville, with nine counts of second and third degree burglary, six counts of third and fourth degree theft, one count of third degree unlawful taking a means of conveyance and one count of fourth degree hindering apprehension.
Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced on Thursday that eight of the nine burglary charges stemmed from residential and vehicular burglaries and thefts that took place throughout Manville between March 15 and March 20.
The final count of theft, according to Robetson, is the result of Cook’s alleged involvement in a residential burglary and theft that took place on March 17 in Plainfield, Union County. In that incident, Cool was allegedly in possession of a stolen vehicle.
Cook’s alleged five-day theft and burglary spree came to an end just after midnight at a North 5th Avenue residence in Manville when he became engaged in a physical altercation with the homeowner, who happened to be an off-duty police officer.
During the struggle, officials said the off-duty officer shot Cook in the chest.
Police said the homeowner applied life-saving techniques to Cook until Manville police officers arrived. The 19-year-old was subsequently transported to a local trauma center for emergency treatment, where he was listed in critical condition.
Officials said the homeowner, whose name was withheld by authorities, was also transported to a local hospital for injuries he sustained during the altercation, as well as any traumatic stress related conditions.
Since his arrest on March 20, Cook has been detained by police pending a trial. No trial date has been set.
If convicted of the most serious charge, second degree burglary, Cook could be sentenced to between five and ten years in state prison under the 85 percent provision of the “No Early Release Act.”