Man arrested after explicit photos and notes left on vehicles across Morris County
MOUNT ARLINGTON, NJ – A 74‑year‑old man was arrested after authorities say he left obscene Polaroid photos and handwritten notes on multiple vehicles, including one incident involving a 17‑year‑old, prompting a multiagency probe across Morris County.
Mount Arlington police identified Thomas Hughes of Budd Lake as the suspect after a mother and her 17‑year‑old daughter discovered a Polaroid depicting male genitalia and a handwritten note on their car at a Quick Check. Detectives linked Hughes to similar incidents at a Randolph restaurant on October 4 and to an earlier case in Rockaway Township on June 15. Hughes was taken into custody on October 15 and charged with a slate of offenses that investigators say stem from the pattern of incidents.
Charging documents list one count of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of providing obscene materials to a minor, both third‑degree counts, in addition to three counts of distributing obscene materials, four counts of lewdness, and four counts of harassment. Following his arrest Hughes was detained at the Morris County Correctional Facility and later released under Pretrial Monitoring Level III with orders barring contact with the victims and restricting access to the businesses involved.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit worked with the Mount Arlington Police Department on the investigation. Prosecutors emphasize that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and Hughes is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The investigation remains active as authorities review additional evidence and possible related incidents.
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Key Points
- Thomas Hughes, 74, arrested after obscene photos and notes found on vehicles including one incident involving a 17‑year‑old
- Charges include child endangerment, providing obscene materials to a minor, distributing obscene materials, lewdness, and harassment
- Hughes released on Pretrial Monitoring Level III with no contact orders while investigation continues