Breaking News

January 13, 2026 - On Monday, January 12, 2026, at approximately 11:59PM, the Summit Police Department received a 9-1-1 call from a resident on Canoe Brook Place that three (3) individuals with ski masks were observed on surveillance camera near the back door of the residence. Prior to arrival, the resident indicated the suspects fled the scene once they observed the homeowner through a window on the first floor. During that time, three (3) officers, who were already in the neighborhood conducting routine residential patrols, located a stolen BMW within seconds and a pursuit was initiated. Summit Police Officers continued to pursue the vehicle into Essex County until such time it was terminated due to public safety reasons.

Over the past several weeks, the region has continued to see an increase in burglaries to motor vehicles, attempted vehicle thefts, motor vehicle thefts, attempted burglaries to houses, as well as burglaries to houses that are occupied. In most of these incidents, suspects entered homes in search of key fobs.

The Summit Police Department is prioritizing this situation and actively participating in information sharing with law enforcement partners in the region as well as deploying additional resources to areas of concern. While we continue to take steps on our end, we also need residents to remain vigilant.

Please take the following precautions, which meaningfully reduce opportunities for crime:

• If possible, park your vehicles inside a garage
• Remove all valuables, including key fobs, from plain view in your car and house
• Lock all vehicle doors
• Lock all exterior doors and windows to your home
• Lock the door between the garage and house if they are connected
• Set your home alarm system if you have one
• Turn on exterior lighting, especially overnight

If you see or hear anything suspicious, or if your home security cameras capture unusual activity, call the Summit Police Department immediately at 908-273-0051 (call 9-1-1 in an emergency). Quick reporting gives us the best chance to respond in real time and prevent additional incidents.

We appreciate your cooperation and vigilance. By working together, we can keep Summit safe!

December 8, 2025 - On December 8, 2025, at approximately 0815 hours, patrol officers responded to a Larned Road residence for a report of an attempted burglary to two (2) motor vehicles that occurred overnight at approximately 0340 hours. Upon arrival, officers met with the resident who indicated Ring camera surveillance footage displayed two (2) suspects, both wearing dark-colored sweatsuits and masks, walk up her driveway and attempt to gain entry into two (2) SUV’s, a 2024 Audi Q7 and a 2019 BMW X5. The suspects were unable to gain entry into the vehicles as they were both secure. The suspects can then be observed running back to Larned Road near Watchung Place and no attempt was made to enter the home.

Anyone with information or surveillance footage for the aforementioned incident is encouraged to contact the Summit Police Department’s Detective Bureau at (908) 273-0051.

Lastly, over the course of the last several weeks, the Summit Police Department has observed an uptick in burglaries to motor vehicles, attempted burglaries to motor vehicles, as well as stolen vehicles entering the city. Additionally, several jurisdictions in the region have had burglaries to occupied residences. Please remain vigilant during the holiday season and remember to lock all doors, set alarms, turn on motion lights, and report suspicious activity. Together, we can keep Summit safe! Thank you.

Surveillance camera footage posted to Summit Police Department Facebook page.

November 24, 2025 - On November 23, 2025, at approximately 1645 hours patrol officers responded to a residence on Rotary Drive for a report of a suspicious incident. Upon arrival they met with the caller/resident, who stated while inside his house he observed an unknown male walk on his driveway before entering the back seat of a white sedan (unknown make/model), which immediately left the area. A check of the neighborhood revealed negative findings for the vehicle.

At approximately 1912 hours patrol officers responded to another residence on Rotary Drive for a report of a burglary to motor vehicle. Upon arrival they met with the resident/victim, who stated at approximately 1845 hours he entered his 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS and noticed his garage door opener was missing. A canvass of the neighborhood resulted in video surveillance footage that displayed two (2) suspects wearing all black with their faces concealed enter the unlocked Mercedes at approximately 1633 hours before opening the garage door. Entry was not made; however, it is believed the suspects took the garage door opener before returning to the suspect vehicle, later identified as a 4-door white Infiniti G35 with NJ license plate (unknown on registration). The vehicle then left the area.

Anyone with information or surveillance footage for the aforementioned incident(s) is encouraged to contact the Summit Police Department’s Detective Bureau at (908)273-0051. 

Lastly, over the course of the last several weeks the Summit Police Department has observed an uptick in burglaries to motor vehicles, attempted burglaries to motor vehicles, as well as stolen vehicles entering the city. Additionally, several jurisdictions in the region have had burglaries to occupied residences. Please remain vigilant during the holiday season and remember to lock all doors, set alarms, turn on motion lights, and report suspicious activity. Together, we can keep Summit safe! Thank you.

November 18, 2025 - On November 17, 2025, at approximately 2344 hours, patrol officers responded to the area of Stockton Road and Stiles Road for a report of a suspicious male wearing a dark sweatshirt attempting to gain entry into motor vehicles.

Upon arrival they observed an adult male, later identified as Aidan Harrington (23), walking in the street near the caller’s residence. An on-scene investigation coupled with surveillance footage revealed Mr. Harrington was the suspect in question and had previously attempted and gained access to several vehicles in the neighborhood. As a result, he was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters where he was processed and charged with the following offenses:

• 2C:18-2A(1) – Burglary - 5 Counts in the Third Degree
• 2C: 5-1A(1) – Criminal Attempt – 3 Counts in the Third Degree
• 2C:20-3A - Theft by Unlawful Taking – 1 Count in the Third Degree
• 3-16.2 - Resident Protection Ordinance – 5 Counts

Mr. Harrington was later transported to Union County Jail pending his first appearance. This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone missing items or who has pertinent information for this investigation, including but not limited to surveillance footage, is encouraged to contact the Summit Police Department Detective Bureau at (908) 273-0051.

All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.