Summit Police Blotter: Four DWI Arrests, Strangulation Charge, July 20–Aug. 16

The Summit Police Department's activity blotter for July 20 through August 16, 2026, documents four DWI arrests, one strangulation charge, one terroristic threats arrest, one stolen-vehicle investigation resulting in four criminal charges, and additional incidents including theft, fraud, vehicle burglary, and warrant arrests. The comprehensive blotter reflects police activity and criminal investigations during the four-week period.

Union County Life covers Summit public safety, police activity, and community information across all 21 Union County municipalities. All parties are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

DWI Arrests

Summit Police made four driving-under-the-influence arrests during the July 20 - August 16 period.

On July 20, officers stopped a vehicle on Broad Street near Cedar Street after observing it traveling at high rate of speed without headlights. A 20-year-old Summit man was arrested for DWI. He was processed and released pending court appearance.

On July 24, officers stopped a vehicle on Springfield Avenue near Middle Avenue after it failed to yield to oncoming traffic. A 55-year-old Elizabeth man was arrested for DWI and on several outstanding warrants. He was processed and released pending court appearance.

On July 27, officers stopped a vehicle on Morris Avenue near Springfield Avenue for expired registration. A 27-year-old Millburn man was arrested for DWI. He was processed and released pending court appearance.

On August 6, officers found a 38-year-old Newark man unconscious in a vehicle near Broad Street and Walnut Street. He was arrested on a DWI charge. He was processed and released pending court appearance.

Strangulation and Simple Assault

On August 15, a 29-year-old Summit man was arrested and charged with simple assault and strangulation. He was processed and transported to Essex County Jail.

Terroristic Threats

On July 28, a 49-year-old Scotch Plains man was arrested on a charge of terroristic threats stemming from an incident earlier that evening. He was transported to Essex County Jail pending court appearance.

Stolen-Vehicle Investigation

A 26-year-old Bronx man turned himself in to the Detective Bureau following a stolen-vehicle investigation. He was charged with receiving a stolen vehicle, theft by deception, forgery, and exhibiting false documents as proof of identification. Four criminal charges resulted from the investigation. He was transported to Union County Jail pending Superior Court appearance.

Theft and Credit Card Fraud

On August 14, a woman reported a theft at a River Road business. She had placed personal belongings in an unsecured locker. She observed an unknown woman inside the locker and subsequently received fraud alerts on her cellphone involving unauthorized transactions on her credit and debit cards. She contacted her financial institutions and canceled the affected cards. The investigation was turned over to the Detective Bureau.

Vehicle Burglary

A vehicle burglary was reported on August 7 on Edison Drive. The victim reported the vehicle had been parked and secured earlier in the day. The overhead light compartment was found damaged and hanging from its wires. Nothing was reported stolen from the vehicle.

Flag Magnet Theft

On July 31, a 74-year-old Chatham man reported that someone had removed a U.S. flag magnet from the back of his vehicle while it was parked in Park and Shop Lot No. 1 on DeForest Avenue.

Outstanding Warrant Arrests

On July 29, a 47-year-old Mountainside woman was arrested following a traffic stop on an outstanding warrant.

On August 1, a 27-year-old Elizabeth man was arrested following a traffic stop on an outstanding warrant.

On August 13, police stopped a 49-year-old Summit man who was known to have an active ACS warrant out of Springfield Township. He was processed and released pending court date.

Presumption of Innocence

All parties mentioned in the blotter are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Charges documented in police reports do not constitute conviction or final determination of guilt.

FAQ

Q: What is a police blotter?
A: An official police department record documenting arrests, charges, incidents, and investigations during a specified time period. The blotter is public record.

Q: What incidents are documented in the Summit blotter?
A: Four DWI arrests, one strangulation charge, one terroristic threats arrest, one stolen-vehicle investigation (four charges), theft and fraud, vehicle burglary, a flag magnet theft, and three outstanding warrant arrests.

Q: When does the blotter cover?
A: July 20 through August 16, 2026 (four weeks).

Q: How many DWI arrests were made?
A: Four DWI arrests were made during the July 20-August 16 period.

Q: What charges resulted from the stolen-vehicle investigation?
A: Receiving a stolen vehicle, theft by deception, forgery, and exhibiting false documents as proof of identification (four charges against one 26-year-old Bronx man).

Q: Does being listed in the police blotter mean someone is guilty?
A: No. All parties are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The blotter documents charges and arrests, not convictions.

Q: Where can I find the full police blotter?
A: Contact the Summit Police Department or check the city's official website for complete blotter documentation and ongoing updates.