Breaking News
September 26, 2023 - The Summit Police Department is actively investigating a suspicious incident that may be an attempted distraction burglary. The incident occurred at a Woodland Avenue residence on Saturday, September 23, 2023.
According to the victim, the subject, described as a white male with light brown hair and a possible Irish accent, attempted to lure her from the home by claiming that they were investigating a complaint from a neighbor about falling debris. They asked her to come outside for them to show her the issue in the backyard. The homeowner became suspicious, asked for identification, and refused to open the door. When the subject was unable to produce identification, the victim asked him to leave a business card in the mailbox for her to contact them later. The victim observed the subject and a possible second subject leaving the scene in a black pickup truck without leaving a card. The victim later called the City of Summit Department of Community Services to report the encounter; staff immediately notified police. Read news release
September 20, 2023 - On Wednesday, September 20 at approximately 2:45AM, Summit Police Department received a report of a break-in at an Iris Road residence that resulted in two vehicles being stolen from the driveway. Preliminary investigation findings indicate that suspects used a rock to break the glass of a side door to the residence, reach in through the opening and remove two key fobs that were hanging near the door. The sound of breaking glass apparently woke the victim, and they called police. They later observed two suspects fleeing north on Iris Road in a 2018 Audi Q5 and 2015 Acura TLX. Responding police units located and pursued the stolen cars as they entered onto Route 24 east. The pursuit was eventually terminated on Route 78 east near mile marker 51 in Union Township due to excessive speed. The suspect vehicle has been identified as a 2021 Kia Sportage that was later found parked on Iris Road with the doors open and engine running. The vehicle was later reported stolen out of East Orange, New Jersey. Prior to the break-in, suspects reportedly entered an unlocked 2023 BMWI4 and 2021 Mercedes GLA that were parked at a residence across the street. No key fobs were present in either vehicle. Summit Police Department detectives processed the scene.
September 12, 2023 - On Tuesday, September 12 at 10:29AM, Summit Police Department received a report of an altercation involving two men and a knife at Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation on 4 Waldron Ave. in Summit. After responding to the scene, police seized the weapon and arrested the suspect without incident. There were no reported injuries.Derrick M. Jones, age 63, an unhoused male, was charged with third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Following processing, Mr. Jones was released with an October 12, 2023, Superior Court first appearance date. The victim was a 56-year-old unhoused male.
September 5, 2023 - Summit Police Department has received several reports of a bear in the area of Oak Ridge Avenue and Rotary Drive. Bears tend to be wary of humans, but are attracted to neighborhoods by odors from garbage cans. It is important to store all garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids and avoid leaving food outside. Feeding bears, whether intentionally or unintentionally by leaving food outside, is dangerous for both people and bears, and is illegal in New Jersey. The DEP website provides information on how to avoid attracting bears, tips on how to react to an encounter with a black bear, and more. There are also safety tips for homeowners, business owners, fishers, campers, and hikers. In the event of an encounter with a bear, residents should immediately notify local police or the DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife at 1-877-927-6337.
August 26, 2023 - At approximately 2:27AM on Saturday, August 26, 2023, Summit Police Department (SPD) received a report of a burglary in progress at 25 Hillcrest Avenue. The resident was awakened by a security alarm and contacted SPD immediately. It was determined that two unidentified suspects used a tool to break into a first-floor window and proceeded to a second-floor bedroom while a third suspect remained outside the residence. They located the key fob to a 2023 two-door white Lamborghini bearing New York license plate ZJS4774 that was parked in the driveway. The vehicle was subsequently stolen and later pursued by both Millburn and Summit police units into Essex County where the pursuit was ultimately terminated. A watch with an estimated value greater than $16k was also removed from the residence. There was no contact between the suspects and residents during the break in. At this time, it is believed that a black Dodge Durango bearing temporary New Jersey license plate Z458425 was involved in the crime. An investigation is in progress. Anyone with information pertinent to the investigation should contact the Summit Police Department at (908) 273-0051.
