Newark streets became a playground for thieves, with a surge in vehicle thefts and burglaries reported by the Newark Police Department between March 18 and 24, according to a crime blotter published Monday.

The crime wave kicked off early Monday morning. Officer Medina responded to a call regarding a vehicle burglary on Joaquin Murieta Avenue, followed by a string of vehicle thefts across town, including the 8400 block of Central Avenue and Potrero Drive. Amid the criminal activity, Officer Soto arrested a 40-year-old male from Oakland for a court order violation, but the illegal escapades hardly slowed down.

Tuesday not only saw a reported mail theft, leading to the arrest of a 24-year-old male from Fremont but also a shooting on Cedar Boulevard that has left officers scrambling for leads. The groundhog day of grand theft auto continued with several more incidents of vehicular theft and multiple vehicles reporting pry-induced break-ins, indicating a potential pattern or a common culprit.

Even the weekend offered no reprieve; Saturday morning burglaries showcased smash-and-grab tactics in Buena Vista Drive and Cherry Street, with losses running the gamut of personal effects. Arrests peppered the narrative, including traffic stops that led to the apprehension of individuals burdened with multiple warrants, a harbinger of a community in relentless pursuit of safety.

The crime blotter also informed residents of the arrest log, complete with mug shots, emboldening citizens to put names to faces of local lawbreakers. While the authorities seem to be working around the clock to curb the criminal tide, the spate of thefts remains alarming – painting a grim picture of the state of public safety in Newark.