Newark porch pirate sought after theft from melrose ave. Home

Newark Porch Pirate Sought After Theft From Melrose Ave. Home

Posted by
1 min read
March 10, 2026

Newark authorities are asking for the public’s help identifying a bicyclist accused of stealing a $296 package from a home on Melrose Avenue.

Newark, NJ – Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda Sr. is asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect connected to a package theft reported at a residence on Melrose Avenue near Grove Terrace. The theft occurred Wednesday evening when a delivered package was taken from the home’s front porch.

According to police, the incident happened at approximately 6 p.m. and was captured on surveillance video.


Key Points

• Package stolen from porch on Melrose Avenue near Grove Terrace
• Suspect arrived on a bicycle and fled northbound on Melrose Avenue
• Newark police seeking public’s help identifying the suspect


Theft captured on surveillance

Investigators say the suspect was seen riding a bicycle northbound on Melrose Avenue before entering the victim’s driveway.

Surveillance footage shows the man removing a package from the front porch and leaving the area while traveling northbound on the same street.

Clothing and items stolen

Police described the suspect as a Black male wearing eyeglasses, a black hooded jacket with a white design across the chest, shoulders and arms, gray pants, and white sneakers.

The stolen package, shipped from Fashion Nova, contained several clothing items including boys’ jeans, khaki pants, boys’ and girls’ pajamas, sweatpants, a dress, and a pair of heels. Authorities said the total value of the items was about $296.

Tips requested

Detectives are continuing to investigate the theft and are asking anyone with information about the suspect’s identity to come forward.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Newark Police Division’s 24-hour Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477).

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Don't Miss