🚨 Philadelphia Man Accused of Smashing into Summit Store with Sledgehammer, Stealing $5k E-Bike

SUMMIT, NJ — A Philadelphia man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he carried out a smash-and-grab burglary at a Summit business in the early morning hours of May 1, stealing a nearly $5,000 electric bicycle before leading investigators on a multi-state manhunt.

According to Summit police, officers responded to a commercial burglar alarm around 3:04 a.m. at a business located in the 300 block of Springfield Avenue. When officers arrived, they found shattered glass outside the front entrance, the door left ajar, and the alarm still blaring.

A search of the building and surrounding area initially turned up no suspect. Investigators later reviewed surveillance footage provided by a business representative, which helped reconstruct the break-in timeline.

Authorities said the suspect was first seen around 2:32 a.m. looking into the store from outside. He was later observed riding a black 2026 Trek FX+1S bicycle onto nearby Glenwood Place. Police determined the bicycle had been stolen out of Pennsylvania and later recovered during the investigation.

According to investigators, the suspect returned on foot at approximately 2:57 a.m. and used a sledgehammer to smash through the store’s glass front door moments later. Once inside, he allegedly grabbed a light blue Specialized Vado 5.0 electric bike valued at nearly $5,000 and fled the scene within about a minute toward Springfield Avenue.

The Summit Police Department’s Detective Bureau launched what officials described as an intensive, multi-jurisdictional investigation involving surveillance review, evidence collection, and coordination with agencies in Pennsylvania.

After more than 27 hours of investigative work, authorities arrested Joseph Holman, 46, of Philadelphia, at approximately 6:22 a.m. on May 2.

Police said Holman resisted arrest and was taken into custody after a brief struggle.

He now faces numerous 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.

Investigators also discovered Holman had two active NCIC warrants, including one related to escape from custody.

Following processing, Holman was transported to the Essex County Jail, where he remains pending a detention hearing.