Crime & Safety

Man Accused of Violent Millburn Home Invasion to be Arraigned Tuesday

Shawn Custis, 42, faces charges of first-degree attempted murder, robbery, burglary and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

The man charged with brutal attack on a young Millburn mother in front of her kids while robbing the home will be arraigned Tuesday morning, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said.

Shawn Custis, 42, whose last known address is Newark, was arrested in New York City just after 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Custis was arrested by a Newark-based FBI task force along with personnel from the Essex County Prosecutor's office just under an hour after authorities released his identity. His bail was set at $750,000.

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The arraignment is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday before Judge Peter J. Vazquez in Essex County Veterans Courthouse on charges of first-degree attempted murder, first-degree robbery, second-degree burglary and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, according to Kathy Carter, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office. 

Custis, who has 12 felony convictions and a record dating back to the early 90s, was released from jail just over six months ago where he served a 10-month stint for a series of burglaries, according to nj.com.

Find out what's happening in Millburn-Short Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Custis was wanted in connection with the home invasion in Millburn where a man kicked down the locked back door of a Cypress Street home just after 10 a.m. on June 21 and "viciously" assaulted the woman for more than three minutes while robbing the home.

"The man viciously beat the woman," Capt. Michael Palardy said about the attack which was captured on a nanny cam in the home. 

The video went viral and the reward for the intruder was increased to more than $20,000 with contributions from local residents, business owners and Sen. Richard Codey.

The woman was taken to the hospital for injuries to her face and leg. She suffered a concussion and was released over the weekend.

"You come into a neighborhood and you assume certain things—like safety," said Frank Reino, 86, of Millburn, where violent crimes are rare, traditionally numbering less than 25 per year.


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