New Jersey Officer Charged with Theft from Injured Photojournalist

A police sergeant in New Jersey has been charged with theft after allegedly taking $10,000 worth of equipment from a photojournalist injured during protests. The incident occurred outside a Newark immigration jail, where Darryl Brown, a sergeant with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, was reportedly found in possession of the stolen items. The state attorney general confirmed these details on Thursday.

Photojournalist Angelina Katsanis, on assignment for The Associated Press at Delaney Hall, suffered an injury when struck by a wood beam amid clashes between police and protestors. Her gear bag, marked with her personal details, was left behind as she sought medical help. By utilizing a geo-tracking device, Katsanis traced her equipment to Brown’s residence.

Once at the hospital, the geo-tracking device showed the equipment’s location was in Sparta, New Jersey, at Brown’s home. However, the tracking device was later found discarded miles away. Brown’s body camera footage revealed his interaction with the gear bag at the protest, which led to a search warrant at his residence. Some of the missing items, identifiable by Katsanis’ information, were discovered during the search.

No information regarding Brown’s legal representation was immediately available. Efforts to reach him by phone went unanswered. He is facing third-degree theft charges and has been suspended without pay, said the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Katsanis, who has experience in covering challenging situations, expressed her dismay over the incident. She lamented about officers’ duty to uphold the law and protect citizens and property, contrasting it with her experience.

The protest site, Delaney Hall, has seen numerous demonstrations against immigration policies associated with former President Donald Trump. Recent tensions have surged as detainees reportedly went on hunger strike due to the alleged poor conditions in the facility. The federal government, however, denies these claims and accused the protestors of escalating the situation.

Katsanis sustained swelling and bruising on her leg but did not suffer any fractures.