By: Tracie Carter
Bloomfield Police arrested a Newark man in a desperate attempt to escape after shoplifting at a local store, officials said.
On September 30, 2025, officers responded to Dollar General, located at 600 Bloomfield Avenue, following a report of a shoplifting incident.
According to authorities, the suspect, identified as Mr. Justin Armstrong, 34, of Newark, fled on foot after stealing merchandise.
As officers closed in, Armstrong attempted to force his way into a vehicle that had been stopped in traffic, apparently trying to use the car as his means of escape. 
Police were able to intervene quickly, preventing the suspect from taking control of the vehicle.
Armstrong was taken into custody at the scene and transported to Bloomfield Police Headquarters, where he was processed on charges connected to the incident.
Authorities described the suspect’s actions as a reckless and desperate effort to avoid capture, which could have placed both drivers and pedestrians at risk.