New Jersey Police Sergeant Charged with Theft from Photojournalist

A New Jersey police sergeant faces charges for stealing equipment worth $10,000 from a photojournalist injured during protests outside a Newark immigration jail. Sergeant Darryl Brown of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office was found in possession of the stolen items after the journalist tracked her gear to his residence via a geo-tracking device, according to the state’s attorney general.

The victim, Angelina Katsanis, was on duty for The Associated Press at Delaney Hall when she was injured by a wood beam during clashes between police and protesters. After seeking medical help, she discovered her gear bag was missing. The bag, clearly labeled with her information, was equipped with an Airtag, which showed that the items had been taken far from the scene.

“I checked my Airtag and the bag was already on a highway pretty far away at that point,” Katsanis noted. “Right away, I had a feeling it was the police because they were the only ones with access to that area.”

As Katsanis received hospital treatment, the Airtag traced the missing items to Brown’s home in Sparta, New Jersey. The attorney general’s office reported that the device was later abandoned by a roadside. Further investigation using footage from Brown’s body camera confirmed he interacted with Katsanis’ bag during the protest. A search of his home led to the recovery of some stolen items clearly labeled with Katsanis’ details.

Information regarding Brown’s legal representation was unavailable at the time, and attempts to contact him were unsuccessful. He is facing third-degree theft charges and has been suspended without pay by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Katsanis, an experienced journalist in conflict zones, expressed her dismay. “This incident has deeply shaken me,” she remarked. “Officers should uphold the law and protect us, not violate that trust.”

The site of the incident, Delaney Hall, has been the scene of numerous protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Recent weeks saw an escalation in tensions as detainees inside the facility reportedly engaged in a hunger strike over alleged poor conditions. The federal government has denied these allegations and criticized protesters for exacerbating tensions.

Katsanis reported soft tissue damage but no fractures from the injury she sustained during the protests.