Newark police are asking for the public's help finding Laroy Irving, a 52-year-old man wanted for questioning in connection with a robbery that happened on the 200 block of Central Avenue back in May. Investigators say a man approached a woman as she was taking trash out from her apartment at approximately 9:25 p.m. on May 12, stole her cellphone, and then fled the area.
According to Shore News Network, the Newark Department of Public Safety said Irving is wanted for questioning in the ongoing investigation. Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda Sr. urged anyone with information about Irving's whereabouts to contact investigators. Miranda took over the department in November 2024 after a 23-year career with the Newark Police Division that included commanding the Robbery Unit and serving as Chief of Police, per the Major Cities Chiefs Association.
Police describe Irving as standing between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall, with brown eyes and black hair. At the time of the robbery, the report notes the suspect was wearing a gray jacket, a white t-shirt, light blue ripped jeans, a white belt, and a blue-and-white bandana.
How to Report a Tip
The Newark Police Division Crime Stoppers program operates a 24-hour tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477), and the article notes that the department also accepts anonymous tips through its website. Crime Stoppers tips remain confidential and may qualify for a reward, according to the same account.
What Irving Could Face Under New Jersey Law
Robbery in New Jersey is generally classified as a second-degree crime carrying a potential prison sentence of five to 10 years under N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1, though deadly weapons and attempts to cause serious bodily injury can be aggravating factors. Second-degree robbery charges can apply even when only minimal force or the threat of force accompanies a theft. Any robbery conviction would also fall under New Jersey's No Early Release Act, which requires defendants to serve at least 85 percent of their court-imposed sentence before becoming eligible for parole, according to the New Jersey Legislature. The law also imposes three years of mandatory parole supervision following release for second-degree convictions.
A Robbery Drop That Makes This Case Stand Out
The May incident occurred in Newark's Central Ward, a neighborhood that anchors the city's commercial and higher-education core, while the city has a daytime population of more than 400,000 people, according to Destination Newark. The article also cites a ResearchGate study about Newark's wards.
Even so, this robbery comes amid a historic citywide decline in violent crime. Newark recorded a 38 percent drop in robberies and a 19 percent overall reduction in violent crime in 2025, a year that closed with the city's lowest annual murder total since 1953, according to Patch. The article also mentions crime citywide. According to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, violent crime decreased one percent from 23,004 to 22,899, while murder increased four percent from 354 to 369. The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General reported that violent crime decreased 10 percent from 25,452 to 23,004 and murder dropped 12 percent from 401 to 354, with robbery and aggravated assault also declining.
According to the Newark Department of Public Safety, the city publishes annual crime data since 2022, including incident types by precinct. According to the New Jersey State Police's 2016 Uniform Crime Report, robbery accounted for 6 percent of the total Crime Index and 41 percent of all violent crimes, while the robbery rate decreased to 1.1 victims per 1,000 inhabitants.
The article also discusses Newark robberies and homicides. Nationally, it also discusses robbery. The article mentions community work and violence-prevention efforts.
Information About the Central Ward
The article also discusses the Central Ward. Anyone with information about Irving's location is asked to contact Newark investigators or submit a tip through Crime Stoppers.
