Englewood Officers Injured in 'Violent Struggle' With Convicted Felon, Police Say

Two Englewood police officers were injured in a violent struggle with a convicted felon who burglarized a city liquor store only hours after he was released from the county jail, authorities said Sunday.

Willie Edward Carter Jr., 44, of Englewood, was freed from the Bergen County Jail around 4:45 p.m. Friday after serving two months for a probation violation, according to police. But by 3:30 a.m. Saturday, police said the newly free Carter broke into Wides Liquor Store on West Englewood Avenue. 

Officers responding to an alarm at the 4th Ward shop found a ladder propped up against the back of the building, leading up to the second floor and a wide open rear door, police said in a statement. The owners reported between $200 and $500 in cigarettes and cash were taken. 

The burglar was gone when officers arrived, but store security cameras captured the break-in, authorities said. Englewood Detective Barry Miller watched the video and recognized the intruder as Carter, who police said is a ten-time convicted felon.

“Willie Carter is one of those locals that is very well known to us from past crimes he’s committed," said Detective Capt. Timothy Torell. "The video was clear.”

Armed with an arrest warrant Miller and uniformed officers went to Carter's home and found him with family members, Torell said. An "extremely violent struggle" erupted, prompting a call for backup from around the city.

“This was not a case where someone was making it difficult for handcuffs to be applied. We encounter that all the time. This was a full out and purposeful attempt by Carter to injure officers and escape," Torell said. "That, compounded by the interference of one of his family members, made this a dangerous situation.”

The melee left Miller and patrol officer Jerel Hammond sidelined from duty with hand injuries, the captain said. Miller suffered a broken hand was scheduled for surgery Sunday.

Torell said going without the two officers would stretch the busy city police force.

“Aside from the personal side of losing Barry and Jerel until they mend, it’s a significant loss to the Department. We’re a busy place," he said. "Being down two guys is going to hurt. We wish them both a speedy recovery.”

Carter was back at the county jail Sunday, held on charges of burglary, theft, two of counts of aggravated assault on police and two counts of resisting arrest. Bail was set at $100,000.

His 52-year-old sister interfered in the arrest and was charged with one count of obstruction before being released, police said.

Records show Willie Carter's rap sheet includes arrests in Teaneck and Englewood. 

Follow Patch on Twitter, Facebook and click to sign up for News Alerts. News tip? E-mail noah@patch.com