NEWARK, NJ — Jerome Singleton, a 46-year-old Newark resident, has been charged with four counts of theft following a series of package thefts from residential porches. The incidents, which occurred on June 5th, 2024, led to multiple reports from affected homeowners.
Detective Jake O’Brien spearheaded the investigation after homeowners provided video evidence captured by Ring video doorbells. These videos distinctly showed Singleton wearing an Amazon delivery vest while removing packages from front porches. Additional footage from a resident captured a suspect vehicle fleeing one of the theft scenes, which further solidified the case against Singleton.
Utilizing images from Monroe Township’s Flock Safety cameras, Detective O’Brien was able to match the suspect vehicle seen in the surveillance footage, confirming Singleton’s involvement in the thefts. This crucial evidence also aided Old Bridge Township Police in connecting Singleton to similar package thefts in their jurisdiction.
Singleton’s arrest highlights the growing issue of “porch piracy” and the importance of community and technological tools in aiding police efforts to combat this type of crime.
