Police: Man drove friend's Jeep into Bethpage fences

A Hicksville man who asked to borrow a friend's car keys so he could charge his cell phone faces criminal mischief charges after he drove the vehicle into several fences in Bethpage, Nassau County police said Thursday.

Police arrested Peter Marchese, 19, of 178 Cottage Blvd., after he allegedly drove his friend's 2000 Jeep into fences early Tuesday morning on Cedar Avenue, Cheshire Road, Gates Avenue and Surrey Lane.

Police said a witness saw the driver hit a vinyl fence at about 5:30 a.m. Marchese then fled, leaving the vehicle at the scene, police said. An investigation by the Eighth Squad revealed additional fences also were hit by the Jeep.

Police arrested Marchese 1:20 a.m. Thursday at his home.

He is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and criminal mischief. He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday at First District Court in Hempstead.