Fair Lawn Burglar Hit Cop With Car While Fleeing: Police

FAIR LAWN, NJ — A man was arrested after he sped away from police, hit an officer with his car, and ran off on foot during a burglary investigation Tuesday night, police reported.

A Garwood Place homeowner got an alert on his cell phone from a video surveillance system. He saw a man was wearing a mask inside the home and a family member alerted the police department, said Sgt. Brian Metzler.

Police investigated and charged Corey DeGroat, 42, of Englewood, with burglary, theft, aggravated assault, resisting arrest, reckless driving, contempt of court, failure to wear a seat belt, and driving with a suspended license.

Detectives Anthony Lugo and Brian Rypkema found DeGroat inside a 2016 Honda Accord on Gurney Terrace a block away from the home, Metzler said. They told DeGroat to get out, but he sped away, hitting Rypkema.

Officer Justin DiGuglielmo found the Honda on Francisican Way and pursued it into Glen Rock. The vehicle hit a tree while turning from Godfrey Terrace onto Gibson Place, rolled onto its roof and landed in the front lawn of a Gibson Place home, Metzler said.

DeGroat tried to run but DiGuglielmo captured him in backyard of the house where he crashed the Honda, Metzler said.

DeGroat was taken to Valley Hospital after complaining of head and chest pains and treated. He was discharged overnight, booked at Fair Lawn Police Headquarters, and taken to the Bergen County Jail.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

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