Four Indicted in Violent Fair Lawn Home Invasion and Auto Theft Involving Juvenile

A grand jury has charged four suspects with using a minor in a pre-dawn burglary that left a homeowner injured and two luxury vehicles stolen.

FAIR LAWN, N.J. — Four men have been indicted by a New Jersey state grand jury in connection with a March 2025 home invasion and motor vehicle theft in Fair Lawn that resulted in physical injury to a homeowner and the alleged use of a juvenile to commit the crimes.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor (OIFP) jointly announced that Daniel Chipelo, 21, of Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania; Kasib Higgs, 20, of Old Bridge, New Jersey; John Duncan, 20, of Kearny, New Jersey; and Jason Cathcart, 22, also of Kearny have been charged for their respective roles in the incident. The grand jury handed down the indictment 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.”

Details of the Incident

The events unfolded around 4:28 a.m. on March 1, 2025, when Fair Lawn police received a report of a home invasion. Responding officers later involved the New Jersey State Police Motor Vehicle Crimes North Unit, part of the Auto Theft Task Force (ATTF).

According to documents filed in the case, the homeowners were awakened by the sound of forced entry at their front door. One of the residents reportedly observed suspects stealing their 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2023 BMW X5, together valued at over $75,000.

In an effort to stop the theft, the homeowner placed himself between the suspects and their escape route. The suspects allegedly attempted to hit him with the stolen vehicles as they fled. The homeowner avoided being struck by diving out of the way but sustained lacerations to his knees and legs. Authorities allege that Chipelo, Higgs, and Duncan also took property from inside the home and vehicles during the incident.

“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.”

Surveillance and Investigation

The three primary suspects were allegedly connected to the crime through a combination of physical and electronic surveillance, cellphone data, and common articles of clothing observed in recordings. Investigators also allege that the defendants coordinated with a juvenile accomplice, whom they are accused of using to assist in receiving the stolen vehicles.

Cathcart is charged not only with conspiring to receive one of the vehicles, but also with personally driving it.

Chipelo, Higgs, and Duncan face charges of:

• First-degree home invasion burglary

• First-degree use of a juvenile to commit a crime

• Second-degree conspiracy

• Second-degree theft of a motor vehicle

• Second-degree aggravated assault

• Third-degree theft of movable property

Cathcart is charged with:

• First-degree use of a juvenile to commit a crime

• Second-degree conspiracy

• Second-degree receiving a stolen motor vehicle

If convicted, the four men face significant prison time:

• First-degree crimes carry penalties of 10 to 20 years in state prison and fines up to $200,000.

• Second-degree offenses may result in 5 to 10 years of imprisonment and up to $150,000 in fines.

• Third-degree charges carry potential sentences of 3 to 5 years and fines up to $15,000.

The charges stem from an investigation led by the Fair Lawn Police Department and the New Jersey State Police Motor Vehicle Crimes North Unit – Auto Theft Task Force.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Jana Robinson under the supervision of Assistant Bureau Chief Evgeniya Sitnikova and Bureau Chief Crystal Callahan of the OIFP.

As with all criminal proceedings, the charges in the indictment are accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The indictment underscores ongoing law enforcement efforts to address violent home invasions linked to organized auto theft in New Jersey, including the exploitation of minors in the commission of felonies.