Franklin Lakes Cop Injured After Car Thief Hits Him: Police

FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ – A Franklin Lakes police officer was sent to the hospital Thursday morning after his patrol cruiser was hit by a sport utility vehicle that was stolen from a Highwoods Drive home, authorities said.

Around 2:51 a.m., police received a report that a man was trying to break into a car parked in the driveway of a residence on Highwoods Drive, Capt. John Bakelaar said.

While responding to the incident, Officer Nicholas Klein spotted two cars – a white vehicle and a black Range Rover – in the area and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Bakelaar said.

During an attempt to pursue the vehicles, Klein’s car wound up struck by the Range Rover, Bakelaar said.

The Range Rover and white vehicle then fled the area, the captain said.

Klein sustained minor injury and was taken to Valley Hospital in Ridgewood for treatment. He was later released, Bakelaar said.

Further investigation determined the sport utility vehicle was stolen from another home on Highwoods Drive, the captain said.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact police at 201-891-3131.