the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fair Lawn NJ, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor (OIFP) announced today that four men have been charged for their roles in a home invasion and auto theft that left a homeowner injured.
Daniel Chipelo, 21, of Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania; Kasib Higgs, 20, of Old Bridge, New Jersey; and John Duncan, 20, of Kearny, New Jersey, are each charged with conspiracy (2nd degree), home invasion burglary (1st degree), theft of a motor vehicle (2nd degree), theft of movable property (3rd degree) and aggravated assault (2nd degree). They are also charged, along with Jason Cathcart, 22, of Kearny, New Jersey, with the use of a person 17 years old or younger to commit a crime (1st degree). Cathcart is additionally charged with conspiracy and receiving a stolen motor vehicle (both 2nd degree). The four defendants were indicted by a state grand jury on September 17, 2025.
“The charges in this case show how breaking into homes to steal cars elevates the danger faced by the public,” said Attorney General Platkin. “In this case, the homeowner heard the break-in, and when he tried to intercede, he was injured. We will vigorously prosecute anyone who jeopardizes public safety like this.”
“These defendants are facing burglary and assault charges in addition to auto theft,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “Excellent investigative work by our law enforcement partners allowed us to obtain an indictment that levels serious charges – with potentially serious prison time – against these defendants.”
“Auto theft is not just a property crime—it’s a dangerous act that puts residents at risk and often times becomes a precursor to an act of insurance fraud,” said Interim Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Al Garcia. “Stolen vehicles are often used to commit additional crimes or to file fraudulent insurance claims. Protecting the public means confronting both the immediate danger of violent auto theft and the broader fraud schemes it enables, and OIFP will continue to pursue these cases aggressively to keep New Jersey communities safe.”
“The brazenness of breaking into someone’s home to steal a vehicle cannot be overstated,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “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. We remain committed to investigating these crimes with our law enforcement partners to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
According to documents filed in this case, at approximately 4:28 a.m. on March 1, 2025, the Fair Lawn Police Department received a report of a home invasion, and later notified the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Motor Vehicle Crimes North Unit, part of the NJSP Auto Theft Task Force (ATTF).
It is alleged that the homeowners were asleep in their home when they were awakened by the sound of their front door being broken in. One of the homeowners allegedly saw a group of individuals getting into his black 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and a 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. The suspects allegedly tried to hit the homeowner with the vehicles as they fled. The homeowner was able to avoid being struck by the vehicles 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 homeowner’s residence and vehicles.
Chipelo, Higgs, and Duncan were allegedly linked to the home invasion and motor vehicle thefts through a combination of electronic and physical surveillance, common clothing, and cellular data. Further investigation by the NJSP ATTF revealed that all four defendants, Chipelo, Higgs, Duncan, and Cathcart, allegedly employed the use of a juvenile, as they all worked together to receive the stolen vehicles, with Cathcart also accused of driving one of the stolen vehicles.
Attorney General Platkin thanked the Fair Lawn Police Department and the New Jersey State Police Motor Vehicle Crimes North Unit-NJSP ATTF for their work on the investigation.
Deputy Attorney General Jana Robinson is prosecuting the case for OIFP under the supervision of Assistant Bureau Chief Evgeniya Sitnikova and Bureau Chief Crystal Callahan.
First-degree crimes carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000.
Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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This could have been entirely prevented by having a shotgun at the ready, leaning against the wall. The metallic “chck” or “clck” sounds would have had them running rather quickly.