The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
10/18/2026
Patrol recovered a stolen motor vehicle from an outside jurisdiction in the area of N. Dover Ave. during a suspicious vehicle investigation. The vehicle was unoccupied and had extensive damage throughout. Fictious plates were affixed to the vehicle. The reporting jurisdiction was notified of the recovery, and the plates were removed from the vehicle.
10/19/2026
A Somerset resident was the victim of a theft in the area of Somerset St. during the overnight hours. The unknown suspect(s) stole the victim’s motor vehicle. The vehicle was left unlocked with the keys inside. The vehicle was entered stolen into a national database. The vehicle was located several days later in an outside jurisdiction.
A business located in the area of Rt. 27 was the victim of a shoplifting during the afternoon hours. Two unknown males exited the store without paying for merchandise valued at $82. The suspects fled the area on bicycles.
A Somerset resident was the victim of an assault in the area of Rt. 27 during the evening hours. During the course of a bar fight between two unknown males the victim attempted to intervene and was attacked. The victim was explained complaint signing procedures. During the incident one of the suspects damaged a walking cane and bar sign. The criminal mischief resulted in damage valued at $90.
10/20/2026
A Somerset resident was the victim of a burglary and theft in the area of Holly St. during the overnight hours. The unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s vehicle and stole a purse valued at $100. The purse contained miscellaneous contents.
An East Orange resident was the victim of identity theft on 09/27/26. The unknown suspect(s) used the victim’s identity to steal a portion of her paycheck valued at $1,125.
A business located in the area of Veronica Ave. was the victim of trespassing during the afternoon hours. An employee heard footsteps in the building prompting her to call out to them. She then observed an unknown male running down the street. The suspect entered the business through an unlocked door. Nothing of value was taken.
10/21/2026
A Canadian resident was the victim of a burglary and theft in the area of Randolph Rd. during the morning hours. A male was observed on surveillance entering the victim’s unlocked vehicle and stealing property valued at $500. The suspect was identified during the investigation.
10/22/2026
A business located in the area of Rt. 27 was the victim of theft by deception. The unknown suspect convinced an employee to deposit $2,000 into a Bitcoin machine. The employee believed the suspect was a member of management.
A business located in the area of Rt. 27 was the victim of a shoplifting during the evening hours. A male exited the store without paying for merchandise valued at $16. The suspect fled the area in a silver sedan. An employee identified the suspect.
A 40-year-old Dayton man was issued a summons for defiant trespassing during an investigation at a business located in the area of Hamilton St. He was reported to be inside of a store he was previously trespassed from. Patrol made contact with him inside of the store and he was issued a summons without incident.
10/23/2026
A Somerset resident was the victim of forgery and theft on 10/14/26. An “Isaiah McMillan” intercepted the victim’s mailed checks and cashed them in the amount of $146.
10/24/2026
A Somerset resident was the victim of a theft on 10/20/26 in the area of Elizabeth Ave. The unknown suspect(s) stole the victim’s cell phone from her shopping cart. The phone was valued at $900.
A Somerset resident was the victim of theft by deception on 10/23/26. The victim was having issues with her e-mail account and contacted a customer service number she found online. The victim provided sensitive account information to the unknown suspect. The suspect convinced the victim to send $1,500 before realizing she was the victim of a scam.
A Somerset and Brooklyn, NY resident were the victims of a theft on 10/08/26 in the area of Crossfields Lane. The unknown suspect(s) stole $300, and property valued at $4,150 from the victims. Renovations were being conducted at the residence the day the items were observed to be missing.
A 28-year-old Newark man, a 38-year-old Edison resident, and a juvenile male were arrested for simple assault during a fight investigation in the area of Shepherd St. They physically assaulted involved parties in view of investigation officers. The defendants were processed and released on summonses.
