Unlucky NJ Burglar Mistakes Police Vehicle For Lyft Getaway Car

ROCHELLE, NJ. (THECOUNT) — Nicholas Maziot has been identified as the suspected burglar who was apprehended after he mistook an unmarked police vehicle for a Lyft vehicle, he had summoned as a getaway car.

“Nicky” Maziot, 28, fled a Rochelle Park couple’s home after the homeowners awoke to strange sounds inside a second story bedroom on Thursday night, authorities said.

A Catherine Street couple were awakened around 10 p.m. Thursday, after hearing noises coming from a second story balcony.

Moments later the couple discovered Maziot, who had entered the home by climbing through a second-story window.

Maziot jumped back out the window then hid outside while requesting a ride through his Lyft app, officials said.

By that point, police from Rochelle Park, Maywood and Paramus had begun converging on the area, reports DailyVoice.

Thinking his ride had arrived, Maziot suddenly emerged from an Oldis Street backyard and walked toward a “ghost car” driven by Maywood Police Officer Brian Rubio, DePreta said.

“Imagine his surprise,” the sergeant said.

By the time that Maziot he realized his mistake, it was too late.

Officers Brian Gallina, Nick Mercoun, and Jorge Orihuela, along with Rubio and Maywood Police Sgt. Kevin Madden quickly had him in custody.

Maziot, who is known as a area homeless man, admitted to his crimes.

He was sent to the Bergen County Jail pending a detention hearing in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack on charges of burglary, criminal attempt of theft, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief, trespassing and hindering apprehension.

No word on how the “homeless” man manages to maintain a Facebook and Lyft account.

Geo quick facts: Rochelle Park is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township’s population was 5,530, reflecting an increase of 2 from the 5,528 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 59 from the 5,587 counted in the 1990 Census – Wikipedia.