Monroe Man Found Guilty Of Brandishing A Weapon During A Family Dispute In An Elizabeth Restaurant
Thursday, October 30, 2025, 4:30 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
ELIZABETH, NJ.- A 62-year-old Monroe, New Jersey, man will be facing up to two decades in New Jersey State Prison when sentenced early next year, after being convicted last Thursday of multiple weapons offenses in connection with pulling out a handgun and pointing it at a family member during a dispute inside a busy Elizabeth, New Jersey, restaurant in November of 2024.
Heaney Convicted Last Thursday On Multiple Weapons Charges
According to Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, following a one-week trial in Union County Superior Court, before Superior Cout Judge Christopher Struben, a jury found Patrick Heaney, 62, of Monroe, New Jersey, guilty of second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; third-degree Violation of New Jersey Firearm Regulation, which prohibits carrying a Firearm where Alcohol is Served; fourth-degree Aggravated Assault, for Pointing a Firearm; fourth-degree Carrying a Firearm without a Permit; and fourth-degree Recklessly Creating a Risk of Widespread Injury or Damage.
Following the jury returning their findings of guilt, Judge Struben accepted the verdict and scheduled sentencing for January 2, 2025. At that time, Heaney faces between five and ten years in State Prison on the second-degree charge. On the third-degree charge, Heaney faces between three and five years in State Prison, and on each of the fourth-degree charges, Heaney faces up to 18 months in State Prison.
According to Union County Assistant Prosecutors Peter Arre and Nicholas Ottati, who prosecuted the case, on November 29, 2024, at around 9:31 p.m., members of the Elizabeth Police Department responded to a report of a handgun incident inside the Valenca Restaurant in the City of Elizabeth.
Upon arrival, Police Officers learned that the suspect, identified as Heaney, had fled the establishment after a confrontation with family members led to Heaney pointing a firearm at the victim in a crowded dining room, causing widespread panic.
Heaney was taken into custody the following day, November 30, 2024, by Detectives from the Elizabeth Police Department with the assistance of the Monroe Township Police Department.
