The South Orange Police Department posts its blotter monthly on its website.
In the last week of August, police responded to two reports of assault. In a case that occurred on August 29, patrol officers responded to Wilden Place, where a 20-year-old man reported that he had been assaulted by individuals who were driving in the area. The man was treated for his injuries and the detective bureau was notified.
The next day, on August 30, patrol officers responded to a gas station on Irvington Avenue on the report of a robbery after a caller said that a dispute over a gasoline transaction had occurred and a driver of a red Dodge Challenger exited his vehicle and entered the gas station attendant’s booth. The attendant told police that the driver then struck the attendant before fleeing in his vehicle. The detective bureau was notified and is investigating.
Among other crimes that occurred in August, residents also reported three cases of fraud, with amounts taken ranging from $1,300 to more than $89,000 by perpetrators using victims’ PayPal or bank accounts without permission.
The full police blotter for the month of August is below:
8/1/2026 Fraud: Patrol took a fraud report from a Fielding Court resident. The victim reported that a Samsung Galaxy valued at approximately $1,299.99 was purchased using their PayPal account without permission. The detective bureau was notified.
8/2/2026 Burglary: Patrol responded to a Berkeley Avenue residence for a reported burglary that occurred during the overnight hours. The actors appeared to have entered into the home through an unsecured window and door. Taken were two vehicles with the keys. The detective bureau was notified as is investigating.
8/2/2026 Theft, Shoplifting: Patrol responded to a business on Valley Street for a reported shoplifting. A store security guard observed an individual take several candy bars and exit the store without paying. The individual then fled prior to the arrival of patrol.
8/2/2026 Arrest, Shoplifting: Patrol responded to a business on South Orange Avenue for a reported shoplifting. A female was observed leaving the store with proceeds without paying. Patrol responded and the investigation resulted in the arrest of a 15-year-old girl from Newark, New Jersey.
8/3/2026 Fraud: A resident of Warren Court walked into Police Headquarters to report fraudulent activity. The victim reported a total loss of $4,300 unlawfully withdrawn from her bank account.
8/3/2026 Theft from Auto: A victim on Milligan Place reported that her vehicle’s window was broken and approximately $20 was taken. The detective bureau was notified and is investigating.
8/3/2026 Theft from Auto: A victim on Milligan Place reported that her vehicle’s driver’s side window was damaged and approximately $10 was unlawfully removed from the vehicle. The detective bureau was notified and is investigating.
8/5/2026 Arrest, False Public Alarms: Patrol responded to a business on Valley Street after receiving a 9-1-1 call for medical assistance. The caller refused medical assistance and repeatedly called 9-1-1 despite there being no emergency and given several warnings. He was placed under arrest and charged on Complaint – Warrant prior to being transported to the Essex County Jail.
8/5/2026 Fraud: A victim of fraud walked into Police Headquarters to report that they have had multiple fraudulent transactions occur via their bank account. Total amount lost was approximately $89,569. The detective bureau was notified and is investigating.
8/6/2026 Village Ordinance Violation: A patrol officer was conducting a foot patrol of the Mountain Train Station located on Vose Avenue when he observed a male in possession of an open alcoholic beverage container. The male was subsequently issued a Special Complaint – Summons for the aforementioned violation.
8/6/2026 Warrant Arrest: Patrol observed an individual riding a bicycle without a helmet in violation of South Orange Village Ordinance 346-6 (Helmet Required). The individual riding the bicycle was also seen in possession of a leaf blower and a weed whacker. Patrol initiated a stop and the on scene investigation resulted in the arrest of a 24-year-old with outstanding warrants out of South Orange and Newark, New Jersey. He was later released on his own recognizance.
8/7/2026 Arrest, DWI: Patrol initiated a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle that was observed driving erratically in the area of South Orange Avenue and Riggs Place. The on scene investigation revealed that the driver, a 34-year-old from Vauxhall, New Jersey, was operating the vehicle while intoxicated. He was subsequently arrest and charged with multiple motor vehicle summonses.
8/9/2026 Burglary to Auto: Patrol responded to a parking lot on First Street for a reported burglary to auto. Unlawfully taken from the vehicle were several personal items. The detective bureau was notified.
8/10/2026 Theft from Auto: Patrol responded to a residence on South Orange Avenue for a reported burglary to auto. Unlawfully taken from the vehicle were miscellaneous items and the vehicle’s manual. The detective bureau was notified.
8/11/2026 Theft from Auto: Patrol responded to the lobby of Police Headquarters for a burglary to auto report. Unlawfully removed from the vehicle was approximately $900. The detective bureau was notified.
8/13/2026 Theft, Bicycle: Patrol responded to the South Orange Pool for a bicycle theft. Unlawfully taken was a Co-Op Mountain Bicycle valued at approximately $400.
8/16/2026 Warrant Arrest: Patrol was alerted to a fight in progress in the area of First Street and Valley Street. The on scene investigation resulted in the arrest of a 49-year-old Union, New Jersey, man under warrants from Union Township, Clifton, Elizabeth, South Orange and was found to be wanted out of the Lee County Sheriff’s Department out of Florida. He was later released on his own recognizance.
8/19/2026 Warrant Arrest: Patrol observed an individual urinating in public in the area of Spiotta Park. The on scene investigation resulted in the arrest of a 55-year-old man on outstanding warrants out of South Orange, Newark and East Orange. He was later transported to the Essex County Jail after processing without incident.
8/20/2026 Attempted Theft: Patrol responded to a business on Irvington Avenue for an attempted auto theft. Two masked actors who were nearby attempted to unlawfully take a Porsche Macan from the driveway of the business on Seton Place. The actors were foiled in their attempts by a business attendant before fleeing the area. The detective bureau was notified.
8/20/2026 Theft: Patrol responded to the area of Montrose Avenue and Charlton Avenue for a theft report. A landscaper reported two leaf blowers valued at approximately $950.00 each were unlawfully taken from inside his trailer. The detective bureau was notified.
8/20/2026 Package Theft: Patrol responded to a Vose Avenue residence for a package theft. Unlawfully taken was a package containing two articles of clothing valued at a total of $120. The detective bureau was notified and is investigating.
8/21/2026 Arrest, DWI: Patrol observed a vehicle commit several traffic violations on South Orange Avenue. The officer initiated a motor vehicle stop and the operator of the vehicle exited his vehicle attempted to leave the scene. The individual, later positively identified as a 29-year-old from the Bronx, New York, provided officers with the identification of a different individual. The vehicle he was observed driving was found to be a felony vehicle wanted for a robbery out of Bronx, New York. The on scene investigation resulted in the driver’s arrest on charges of driving while intoxicated. He was issued multiple motor vehicle summonses and later released to a responsible adult.
8/21/2026 Village Ordinance Violation: Patrol responded to the area of Valley Street for a male walking in and out of traffic. Patrol then made contact with a 71-year-old Maplewood man who was in possession of an open alcoholic beverage container. The man then ingested the beverage in front of officers and was subsequently issued a Special Complaint –Summons for public consumption. He was then transported to University Hospital to seek treatment.
8/22/2026 Theft Auto: Patrol responded to a residence on Third Street for a burglary to auto. Unlawfully taken from the unlocked vehicle was a purse containing approximately $40.
8/22/2026 Theft from Auto: Patrol responded to a residence on Academy Street for a burglary to auto. The interior of the unlocked vehicle had been rummaged through yet nothing was reported missing at the time of the report.
8/22/2026 Theft from Auto: Patrol responded to a residence on Academy Street for a burglary to auto. The interior of the unlocked vehicle had been rummaged through. Nothing of value was reported stolen at the time of the report.
8/22/2026 Trespassing: Patrol was alerted to a trespassing incident that occurred on Academy Street. The resident observed an individual attempt to make entry into his vehicles. No damage was caused and nothing was reported stolen.
8/23/2026 Attempted Burglary: Patrol responded to a residence on Halsey Place for an attempted burglary. The perpetrator attempted to make entry via a window which was shattered as a result of the attempted entry. The perpetrator subsequently fled the area prior to the arrival of patrol. The detective bureau was notified and is investigating.
8/23/2026 Theft, Shoplifting: Patrol responded to a business on Valley Street for a reported shoplifting. Unlawfully taken were various items including candy and liquid detergent. Total value of the items stolen was $78.18. The detective bureau was notified.
8/26/2026 Arrest, Shoplifting: Patrol responded to a business on Valley Street for a reported shoplifting. The on scene investigation resulted in the arrest of 50-year-old woman from Toms River, New Jersey. She was later released on a Complain – Summons.
8/26/2026 Arrest, DWI: Patrol responded to a Halsey Place residence for a suspicious vehicle that was observed idling in a backyard. Patrol arrived and as a result of the on scene investigation, a 64-year-old man from Union, New Jersey was placed under arrest for DWI without incident. He was transported and processed and later released to a responsible adult after receiving his motor vehicle summonses.
8/28/2026 Village Ordinance Violation: Patrol responded to a residence on South Centre Street for a noise ordinance violation. The on scene investigation resulted in a Special Complaint – Summons issued to a 20-year-old from Wayne, New Jersey.
8/28/2026 Village Ordinance Violation: Patrol responded to a residence on College Place for a noise ordinance violation. The on scene investigation resulted in a Special Complaint – Summons used to a 20-year-old from Saddle Brook, New Jersey.
8/29/2026 Assault: Patrol responded to the area of Wilden Place for a report of an assault. A 20-year-old male was treated for his injuries and described being assaulted by individuals who were driving in the area. The detective bureau was notified.
8/29/2026 Theft: Patrol responded to a business on Irvington Avenue for a theft report. Unlawfully taken was approximately $117 in gasoline before the perpetrator fled the area without paying the attendant. The perpetrator was observed driving a black Nissan truck. The detective bureau was notified and is investigating.
8/30/2026 Assault: Patrol responded to a business on Irvington Avenue for a robbery. The caller reported that a dispute over a gasoline transaction occurred and a male actor who was driving a red Dodge Challenger exited his vehicle and entered the attendant’s booth. The actor then struck the gas station attendant before fleeing in his vehicle. The detective bureau was notified and is investigating.
8/31/2026 Burglary: South Orange Police Headquarters received information from a neighboring agency of a suspicious vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed towards the Village. Patrol located the vehicle on Ravine Drive and attempted to conduct an investigation. Upon observing marked patrol units the vehicle then fled at a high rate of speed while a male actor came running from behind a residence and entered the vehicle. The vehicle was found to be stolen out of Jersey City. The actor managed to make entry into a residence but was thwarted as patrol arrived on scene. The detective bureau was notified.
