Cops: Officers Chase Down 15 Year Old After Car Burglary

A Wayne teenager who led cops on a brief foot chase through West Caldwell Wednesday was charged with breaking into a car, police said.

A Sanderson Avenue resident notified police Wednesday morning around 7 a.m. that a young white male had broken into the resident's car parked in the driveway.

Cops, who were given a description from the caller, reported to the scene.

West Caldwell Corporal John Kappock saw someone matching the description and gave chase on foot. The suspect fled, however, and Kappock lost sight of him on Forest Avenue running through yards, according to a police report.

Kappock and Patrolman Patrick Cooper caught up with the suspect again on Hillside and again chased after him. This time West Caldwell cops caught the young man in the backyard of a Forest Avenue home. 

Police arrested the 15-year-old Wayne teenager, who was staying with family friends at a home in North Caldwell, according to police.

He was charged as a juvenile with burglary to a motor vehicle and released to his mother, police said.

A search of the area showed that no other cars were broken into, police said.