By: Richard L. Smith
A Philadelphia man has been arrested and charged following a smash-and-grab burglary at a Summit business that took place in the early morning hours of May 1, according to authorities.
Police said at approximately 3:04 a.m., officers responded to a commercial burglar alarm at a business located in the 300 block of Springfield Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers found the front door ajar with shattered glass on the ground and the alarm actively sounding.
A search of the building and surrounding area did not immediately locate a suspect.
However, a business representative responded to the scene and provided access to surveillance footage, which helped investigators piece together the sequence of events.
Authorities said the suspect was first seen in the area around 2:32 a.m., looking into the store from outside.
He later rode onto nearby Glenwood Place on a black 2026 Trek FX+1S bicycle, which was determined to have been stolen out of Pennsylvania and later recovered during the investigation.
Police said the suspect returned on foot around 2:57 a.m. and, at approximately 2:58 a.m., shattered the glass front door with a sledgehammer to gain entry.
Once inside, the individual quickly grabbed a light blue Specialized Vado 5.0 electric bicycle valued at nearly $5,000 before fleeing the scene within about a minute, heading toward Springfield Avenue.
Members of the Summit Police Department’s Detective Bureau launched an intensive, multi-jurisdictional investigation that included gathering evidence, reviewing surveillance footage, and pursuing leads across state lines, including in Pennsylvania.
Authorities said that after more than 27 hours of continuous investigative work, officers from the Detective and Patrol bureaus arrested the suspect, identified as Joseph Holman, 46, of Philadelphia, at approximately 6:22 a.m. on May 2.
Police said Holman resisted arrest and was taken into custody following a brief struggle.
He now faces multiple charges, including burglary, theft by unlawful taking, unlawful possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, hindering prosecution, possession of burglar tools, receiving stolen property, and criminal mischief, among other offenses.
Investigators also determined that Holman had two active NCIC warrants, including one for escape from custody.
Following processing, Holman was transported to the Essex County Jail, where he is being held pending a detention hearing.