Old Bridge Man Broke Into North Jersey Home, Stole Car And Tried To Hit Homeowner While Fleeing, AG Says

FAIR LAWN, NJ — An Old Bridge man is one of four men criminally charged with a home invasion and car theft in Fair Lawn earlier this year, where police say the homeowner tried to stop the men from driving off in his cars and was nearly hit in the process.

The four men charged are: Kasib Higgs, 20, of Old Bridge, Daniel Chipelo, 21, of Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, John Duncan, 20, of Kearny and Jason Cathcart, 22, also of Kearny.

All four men were indicted Sept. 17, said the New Jersey Attorney General.

The men broke into a home in Fair Lawn in North Jersey at 4:28 a.m. on March 1, said prosecutors. The homeowners were asleep when they were awakened by the sound of their front door being broken in.

The homeowner said he saw a group of individuals getting into two cars, a black 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and their black 2023 BMW X5, collectively valued at over $75,000.

The homeowner attempted to stop the suspects by putting himself between the cars and their escape route, and the suspects tried to hit the homeowner with the two vehicles as they fled, said police.

The homeowner was able to avoid being struck by diving out of the way, but suffered lacerations to his knees and legs as a result.

Before fleeing, Chipelo, Higgs and Duncan also allegedly stole items from the home.

Police say the four men also used a fifth person, a minor under the age of 17, to break into the homes and steal the cars.

“The brazenness of breaking into someone’s home to steal a vehicle cannot be overstated,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, New Jersey State Police superintendent. "This crime is not simply about auto theft — it is about violating the sanctity of a home, injuring a homeowner, and shattering the sense of security every family deserves. No one should ever feel unsafe in the very place where they should feel most protected."