2 Masked Teens Charged In Overnight Car Burglaries In Bergen County: Police

TEANECK, NJ — Two teens were arrested in Teaneck early Sunday morning — one after a foot chase — in connection with several car burglaries, police said.

Derise Martinez, 18, from Englewood and a 17-year-old juvenile were taken into custody, said police.

Martinez was charged with employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime, four counts of theft, burglary, 11 counts of receiving stolen property, and other charges.

Police said that they responded to the area of Cooper Avenue at 4:15 a.m. on Sunday when a resident called 911 to report “two males dressed in black clothing and wearing masks walking in the area.”

Sgt. Mathew Carratura arrived and saw two males matching that description near a parked Honda, said Police Chief Andrew McGurr.

When the pair saw the police car, they ran in separate directions, police said.

Carratura apprehended the 17-year-old after a brief foot chase into a wooded area, police said.

Additional officers set up a perimeter and searched for the second suspect with help from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit and the Englewood Police Department.

Martinez was found in the back yard of a home on Lorraine Avenue and was taken into custody without further incident, police said.

Police found vehicle sensors from Hondas, along with wallets, identification cards, credit cards belonging to Teaneck residents, headphones, and cash.

The sensor modules are part of vehicle safety and driver-assistance systems, police explained — including collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control. They're often located in the front grille area, behind the manufacturer emblem, or in the front bumper assembly.

Police also found gloves, masks, and an open knife.

Martinez was charged with:

• Employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime
• Four counts of theft
• 11 counts of receiving stolen property
• Burglary
• Criminal mischief
• Credit card thet
• Conspiracy
• Unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose
• Possession of burglary tools

Martinez was taken to the Bergen County Corrections and Rehabilitation Center.

The 17-year-old was charged on a juvenile delinquency complaint and released to a parent, police said.

Anyone who believes their vehicle was entered, damaged or tampered with is asked to contact the Teaneck Police Department at 201-837-2600.