Man Trashed Passaic Co. Food Pantry, Slashed Tires, Police Say

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A Passaic County man was arrested recently after destroying a food pantry and slashing the tires of a car, according to authorities.

On July 1, police learned that a Clifton resident’s 2024 Land Rover Range Rover’s two tires, valued at approximately $800 each, were slashed by an unknown male the day before.

The following day, authorities were called to the Little Free Pantry food bank within Clifton City Hall on reports of vandalism.

Authorities discovered that a man had entered the food pantry and began throwing food items on the ground, rendering them inedible, police say.

Investigators identified Joshua Giles, 26, of Clifton, as the suspect for both the Range Rover damage and the vandalism in the food pantry, officials said.

Authorities added that they believed the acts were random and not connected.

Giles was arrested on Tuesday and charged with 3 counts of theft and 4 counts of criminal mischief. The only indictable offense is the tire slashing, as the other offenses are deemed disorderly persons.

Giles was processed and turned over to the Passaic County Sheriff's Office Corrections Hub, pending his first appearance in court.