Nighttime Scare: Oakland Woman Catches Stranger Inside Car, Leading to Multi-Town Police Chase and Arrest!
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
OAKLAND, NJ | October 14, 2025 – A frightening encounter early Saturday morning in Oakland, New Jersey, led to a multi-agency police response and the apprehension of a suspect now charged with multiple burglaries. The incident serves as a crucial, urgent reminder from the Oakland Police Department: Lock your car doors!
Confrontation on Manito Avenue
Just after 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, a woman on Manito Avenue spotted an unknown man inside her personal vehicle. When confronted, the suspect immediately fled the scene, running toward Iroquois Avenue.
The quick-thinking resident’s immediate report triggered a rapid, coordinated response. Oakland Police Officer Ed McDermott, Sgt. Jonathan Coleman, and Officers Jacquelyn Jensen and Nicholas Maricich converged on the area.
Swift Multi-Agency Apprehension
Given the circumstances, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit was called in to assist with the search, along with the Franklin Lakes Police Department.
The collaborative effort paid off quickly. Sgt. Jonathan Coleman spotted a man matching the suspect’s description on Pawnee Avenue.
The suspect, identified as Peter Engel, 38, with a last known address in New York, was successfully arrested. He now faces serious charges, including:
- Four counts of third-degree Burglary
- One count of Theft
Additionally, police confirmed that Engel was already subject to three active warrants. He was subsequently transported to the Bergen County Jail.
Urgent Reminder: Secure Your Vehicles
Following the incident, the Oakland Police Department issued a strong public safety message, emphasizing simple preventative measures:
“This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant and always locking your car doors. Even a few moments of opportunity can be enough for a crime to occur, and taking simple precautions like securing your vehicle can prevent potential thefts or burglaries.”
Police are also encouraging any other residents in the area who may have been victims of a car burglary that morning to contact the Oakland Police Department to file an official report as the investigation continues.
Join the new Saddle River Valley, Ramapo and Pascack Valley Communities Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1931704860512551/
#news #follow #media #trending #viral #newsupdate #currentaffairs #BergenCountyNews #NJBreakingNews #NJHeadlines #NJTopStories
