EXCLUSIVE

NY Jets stud Nick Mangold is an All-Pro level crime stopper after playing a crucial part in cops busting a roving pack of teenagers, turned alleged car burglars.

Here's how it went down ... cops say Nick was awakened early Sunday morning at his Chatham, NJ home when his car alarm started blaring. Nick ran to his garage and found the door was open ... so he immediately dialed 911.

Cops rushed to the 'hood and tracked down 5 suspects, just one mile from Mangold's crib. An 18 and a 19-year-old were arrested, along with 3 juveniles -- and the J-E-T-S center might have hit the jackpot with that phone call.

We're told there's been a string of more than 40 car burglaries in the area recently!