Pair Charged With Car Burglary Flee On Bikes

Fort Lee police arrested two Englewood men early Wednesday morning, charging them with motor vehicle burglary-related charges and resisting arrest, after an eyewitness reported seeing them in a neighbor’s car and then fleeing on bicycles, police said.

Fort Lee police officers Carlos Cabrera and Sean Peppard arrested Matthew Wise, 18, about a block from the scene of the alleged crime on Valley St. in Fort Lee at about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, police said. Wise initially tried to ride away from the officers and then ditched his bike and fled on foot, police said.

When the two officers caught up with Wise, he allegedly “resisted with force” and had to be subdued, according to police, who also said they found several GPS units, a camera and loose change in his possession.

Police also arrested 18-year-old Trevor England, whom Fort Lee police officers Dennis Conway and Christina Blue also saw fleeing the scene on a bike. England was briefly able to elude police after dumping his bike and taking off on foot, police said.

Englewood police, who had been notified of the alleged burglary, apprehended England about an hour later in Englewood while he was allegedly trying to make his way home. Conway was able to identify England and place him under arrest, according to Fort Lee police.

Police said Wednesday they were still sorting out the items found in the two suspects’ possession, but also said they identified several items as coming from vehicles in Fort Lee and Leonia.

Wise was charged with burglary, theft, stolen property, two counts of resisting arrest and possession of burglary tools, and England was charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and resisting arrest, police said.