Teaneck Convicted Felon Threatened to Kill Man Over NCAA Debt, Police Say

A convicted felon from Teaneck was arrested this week after he threatened to kill an Englewood resident over an unpaid debt from gambling on the NCAA basketball tournament, according to city police.

A 62-year-old resident of Englewood's 4th Ward called police Sunday to report that a men he knew only as "Dre" had confronted the man in his apartment over a $300 gambling debt, Detective Capt. Tim Torell said. 

"The victim told us he had bet against Dre on several NCAA basketball games and apparently came up on the short end,” Torell said. 

According to the victim, he told "Dre" he didn't have the money and needed more time to pay up, Torell said. "Dre," later identified as 41-year-old Andre Wiggins, allegedly threatened to kill the man and break his son's legs. 

“At the time the incident was reported to the police, the victim in this case, in addition to apparently making some lousy picks during the Tourney, didn’t know Dre’s real name,” Torell said. 

Wiggins fled after the incident was reported, but Teaneck and Englewood police were able to catch him on Tuesday, the captain said. He was charged with third-degree residential burglary and third-degree threat to kill. 

"Wiggins denied the burglary and the threats, but maintained the debt he was owed by the victim was $1,000 and not $300," Torell said. 

He was ordered held at the Bergen County Jail on $40,000 bail.