South Orange Police Blotter for July 2026:
July 1, 2026 – July 31, 2026
July 1, 2026, Illegal Dumping: Patrol responded to a residence on Irving Avenue for a report of illegal dumping. A mattress and several pillows were left in front of a residence. The Department of Public Works was notified for removal.
July 1, 2026, Theft: An individual walked into police headquarters to report that their bicycle was stolen. The reporting party said that they left their bicycle secured to a bicycle rack underneath the train station and upon returning the bicycle was no longer there. The bicycle was valued at approximately $1,000.
July 3, 2026, Disturbance: Patrol responded to a business on Valley Street for a reported disturbance. The caller related that there was an individual yelling at employees. The individual, a 37-year-old male, was declared “persona non grata” from the business.
July 3, 2026. Theft: Patrol took a theft report. The reporting party related that they were at the South Orange Community Pool and left their belongings on a lounge chair. Upon returning they discovered that their cellphone was no longer there. The phone was tracked to CVS in West Orange at a cellphone drop off kiosk. The detective bureau was notified.
July 3, 2026, Theft: Patrol took a second report of a cellphone theft from the South Orange Community Pool. Reporting party related they left their belongings unattended and upon returning discovered their cellphone was gone. The cellphone was retrieved successfully after tracking it to the cellphone kiosk at a CVS in West Orange. The detective bureau was notified.
July 4, 2026, Theft: Patrol took a report of theft that occurred at the South Orange Community Pool that had occurred on July 3.Taken was a cellphone that was tracked to the West Orange CVS cellphone kiosk. The detective bureau was notified.
July 7, 2026, Village Ordinance Violation: An individual was observed urinating in public by patrol. The male subject was subsequently issued a Special Complaint – Summons. He was also issued a motor vehicle summons for a fraudulent inspection sticker that was affixed to his vehicle.
July 7, 2026, Arrest, Shoplifting: Patrol responded to a business on South Orange Avenue for a reported shoplifting. The actor was observed by store personnel taking merchandise without paying for it and leaving the store. The actor was located a short distance away resulting in the arrest of a 58-year-old male from Newark, New Jersey.
July 8, 2026, Village Ordinance Violation: Patrol responded to a business on Sloan Street for a reported trespassing by someone who was not welcomed and previously declared persona non grata. Patrol arrived and located the actor who was identified as a 51-year-old male from Newark, New Jersey. The actor was issued a Special Complaint – Summons and sent on his way.
July 8, 2026, Arrest, Shoplifting: Patrol responded to a business located on Valley Street for a reported shoplifting. The actor fled but was captured on security cameras concealing store items before fleeing in a vehicle. The detective bureau was notified.
July 9, 2026, Missing Child [found]: Patrol responded to the area of Valley Street and Arnold Avenue after receiving reports of an unattended child that was observed to be nude. Patrol located the child, clothed her and attempted to locate her residence. Detectives located a home a short distance away where the front door was open and, after speaking with a resident inside, determined the child had come from the home. The child was turned over to her grandparents.
July 10, 2026, Village Ordinance Violation, Disorderly Conduct: While on patrol an officer observed an individual known to the department commit a Village ordinance violation within the presence of other members of the public. As a result, the individual was issued a Special Complaint – Summons for soliciting without a permit and a Special Complaint – Summons for Disorderly Conduct.
July 10, 2026, Trespassing: While on patrol an officer observed an individual enter an establishment where he was previously declared persona non grata and then issued the individual a Special Complaint – Summons for Defiant Trespassing.
July 11, 2026, Arrest, Shoplifting: Patrol responded to a business on South Orange Avenue for a reported shoplifting. The actor was observed leaving the store without paying for an item he was concealing. The actor was located a short distance away and was subsequently arrested and charged with shoplifting. He was later released with a court date.
July 13, 2026, Arrests, Shoplifting: Patrol responded to a business on South Orange Avenue for a shoplifting that was committed by two individuals. Patrol units located the two actors in separate locations near the area and conducted an investigative detention. The on scene investigation resulted in the arrests of a 26-year-old male and 45-year-old female from Newark. Both were taken into custody without incident and later transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility on outstanding warrants from various jurisdictions.
July 13, 2026, Theft: Patrol responded to [Oheb Shalom] on Scotland Road for a reported theft. Taken during the overnight hours was an approximate 10-by-15 foot Israeli flag. The detective bureau was notified and is investigating. (This case was previously reported by The Village Green. Read more here and here.)
July 15, 2026, Theft, Shoplifting: Patrol responded to a business on South Orange Avenue for a reported shoplifting. Taken from the store by a sole male actor were Ensure dietary drinks. The detective bureau was notified.
July 14, 2026, Arrest, Shoplifting, Resisting Arrest: Patrol responded to a business on South Orange Avenue for a theft report. An individual was reported by the store owner to have taken a can of soda which was captured on video. Patrol then observed the individual who was captured on video and attempted to conduct an investigative detention. The individual fled on foot and ignored officers’ commands to stop. The individual, identified as a 43-year-old from Newark, was later taken into custody after actively resisting officers’ control. He was later released on a Complaint – Summons.
July 14, 2026, Warrant Arrest: Patrol observed an individual with an active warrant walking west on South Orange Avenue. The warrant was confirmed and the individual was placed under arrest without incident. He was later lodged at the Essex County Correctional Facility.
July 14, 2026, Fraud: Patrol took a walk-in report of fraud. The victim reported receiving a notification from a mobile carrier advising her of two new lines on her account. The perpetrator was able to obtain two new iPhone 17 Pro Max cell phones valued at approximately $2,399.98. The detective bureau was notified and is investigating.
July 14, 2026, Warrant Arrest: Patrol responded to a residence on Scotland Road for a suspicious person. The caller said that they discovered an unknown individual on their porch without any explanation. The on-scene investigation resulted in the arrest of a 35-year-old Newark woman on multiple warrants. She was then turned over to the custody of Newark Police without incident.
July 16, 2026, Arrest, Burglary: Patrol responded to a residence on Mercer Place for a reported burglary in progress. The actor was observed by the caller entering a garage and stealing a bicycle. The actor was also observed burglarizing a vehicle in the driveway and stealing a pair of sunglasses. A description of the suspect was broadcasted. Detectives and patrol officers located an individual after canvassing the area on a street in Newark. The individual was ordered to stop and fled officers’ commands. He was placed under arrest near Smith Street and South Orange Avenue. He was charged accordingly and later released.
July 16, 2026, Arrest, Shoplifting:Detectives observed an individual matching the description from a shoplifting that occurred a day prior walk into a South Orange Avenue business. Detectives made contact with the individual who was identified as a 54-year-old East Orange man after observing him walk past the cashiers with a bag full of items. The man was placed under arrest without incident and charged accordingly.
July 16 2026, Village Ordinance Violation: Patrol responded to a business on Sloan Street for a village ordinance violation. An individual known to police for repeated violations had entered a business where he had previously been declared persona non grata. He was issued a Special Complaint – Summons for trespassing and sent on his way.
July 16, 2026, Arrest, Shoplifting: Patrol responded to a business on South Orange Avenue for a reported shoplifting. The caller related she observed an individual conceal a bottle of lotion inside of a bag that they were carrying and leave the store without paying. The actor, later identified as a 31-year-old Newark man was stopped and detained a short distance away. He was then placed under arrest and transported to South Orange Police Headquarters for processing and released.
July 16, 2026, Arrest, Shoplifting: Patrol responded to a business on Valley Street for a shoplifting. A single male actor was observed on security footage taking a beverage and a cell phone charger from the store without paying. The next day patrol observed the same actor enter a different business in the same area. He was detained and the on-scene investigation resulted in the arrest of 32-year-old Newark man.
July 18, 2026, Trespassing, Village Ordinance Violation: Patrol observed an individual known to the South Orange Police Department enter a business where he was previously declared Persona Non Grata and was not welcomed inside. After being advised he would be issued a summons for trespassing, he then solicited without having previously procured a permit to do so. He was then issued a Special Complaint – Summons and sent on his way.
July 18, 2026, Package Theft: Patrol responded to a residence on Holland Road for a reported package theft. Doorbell camera footage captured a single male actor remove a package from the porch of the residence before fleeing north on Holland Road. The detective bureau was notified and is investigating.
July 19 2026, Arrest, Criminal Mischief: Patrol responded to a residence on Montrose Avenue for a disturbance in progress. Parties on scene were previously engaged in a quarrel resulting in no injury to either party. One of the parties, later identified as a 48-year-old man from Randolph, New Jersey was placed under arrest for criminal mischief after causing property damage at the residence.
July 22 2026, Arrest, Shoplifting: Patrol responded to a business on Valley Street for a reported shoplifting. The actor, later identified as a 34-year-old Newark man was observed by store employees concealing erectile dysfunction pills and soap. He was apprehended a short distance away and was placed under arrest without incident. He was later released on a Complaint – Summons.
July 23, 2026, Theft, Bicycle: Patrol responded to a business on Valley Street for a reported bicycle theft. The victim reported they entered the business to make a transaction and upon returning to where they left their bicycle discovered it was gone. The bicycle was valued at approximately $800. The detective bureau was notified.
July 23 2026, Theft, Bicycle: Patrol took a walk-in report for a stolen bicycle. The reporting party related that their bicycle was left unsecured against several other bicycles at Our Lady of Sorrows. The bicycle was reported to be valued at approximately $1,500.
July 23, 2026, Theft: Patrol responded to a residence on South Orange Avenue for a theft report. Taken was a bracelet valued at approximately $20,000. The detective bureau was notified and is investigating.
7/27/2026 Arrest, DWI: Patrol observed a vehicle parked on the grass of a residence on South Orange Avenue with the door open. The on-scene investigation resulted in the arrest of a 35-year-old Orange man for driving while under the influence. He was issued several motor vehicle summonses and later released to a responsible adult.
July 27, 2026, Arrest, DWI: Patrol observed a vehicle stop at a red light in the area of South Orange Avenue and Centre Street and stay idling for three cycles while awaiting a tow truck for the aforementioned DWI arrest. Patrol investigated which subsequently resulted in the arrest of a 23-year-old Newark man. He was charged with multiple motor vehicle summonses and was later released to a responsible adult.
July 28, 2026, Arrest, Trespassing: Patrol responded to a business on Sloan Street for a reported disturbance. The on-scene investigation resulted in the arrest of 61-year-old man known to police. He was additionally charged with littering on a Special Complaint – Summons and later released without incident.
July 29, 2026, Village Ordinance Violation: Patrol stopped a bicycle rider for observed Title 39 [traffic] violations. After being issued a summons, the 44-year-old cyclist from Orange then rode down the block and proceeded to urinate within public view. His bicycle was then impounded and he was issued a Special Complaint – Summons for urinating in public.
July 29, 2026, Village Ordinance Violation: Patrol observed an individual known to them, who was issued numerous previous summons, urinate in public. He was issued a Special Complaint – Summons and advised of his court date.
July 30, 2026, Village Ordinance Violation: Patrol observed the same known individual within Spiotta Park smoking a cigarette in violation of South Orange Village Ordinance 220-30 (Smoking Prohibited). He was then issued a Special Complaint – Summons and advised of his court date.
