Theft
September 28, 2021 (Valley Road): The complainant reported that her daughter’s bicycle was stolen from in front of their home at some point between September 27, 2021 and September 28, 2021. The bicycle was described as a black and neon yellow “2022 Wahoo 26 14 Trek mountain bike valued at $511.00.
September 28, 2021 (Church Street): An employee of ‘Blue Lotus’ reported that an unknown female entered the store and walked around for approximately 30 minutes. When the employee was distracted the suspect managed to steal numerous items. Confirmed missing at the time of the report were six candles, at least twelve bracelets (various colors and stones), one lotion, and several single crystal rocks that are displayed on the shelves. The suspect was described as a light skinned female, approximately 40-60 years old, thin build, wearing a blue hat with a “C” on it, a brown face mask covering her mouth and nose, a black top and black pants.
September 29, 2021 (Mission Street): The complainant reported that his bicycle was stolen from behind his residence on Mission Street. It was described as a red, white, and blue SE FLYER, with red 27.5” tires and reportedly had minor scrapes and dents on it. It was valued at approximately $645.00.
October 2, 2021 (Valley Road): Montclair Bikery reported that a black Cerveo R5 bicycle valued at $8,400.00 was stolen from the business. It was reported that an unknown female entered the business at 12:15 PM. She was seen standing inside near the front of the business browsing the bicycles. Approximately four minutes later, she took possession of the bicycle in question and relocated it closer to the front entrance and then distracted an employee. Shortly thereafter, a male suspect entered the store. The male suspect is seen in the video walking out with the bicycle and was in the store for a total of six seconds. The female was described as light skinned with a medium to heavyset build, ponytail, black mask, wearing a black baseball cap, a black cross body bag, red 'Guess' T-shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers. The male was described as a light skinned male with a medium build, wearing a white mask, white T-Shirt, white shorts, and white sneakers.
Vandalism
October 2, 2021 (Wendover Road / Central Avenue): On the morning of October 2, 2021, several reports of vandalism were taken in the area of Wendover Road and Central Avenue. A Central Avenue resident first reported that upon walking out to her vehicle, she discovered that someone had thrown a concrete slab (approximately 18 inches long) through her rear passenger side window. A resident of Wendover Road then reported that their “Free Little Library” box had been knocked to the ground, damaging the post used to hold it up. A second resident of Central Avenue later reported that someone entered their yard, removed six mum plants, and threw them into the roadway. A third Central Avenue resident reported 4 of his mum plants were removed and thrown onto the roadway. In addition, a solar panel light fixture was removed and damaged. Finally, a second resident from Wendover Road reported that all of the books from her ‘Free Little Library’ were removed and scattered throughout the roadway. She also discovered that her vehicle had been entered and miscellaneous paperwork was removed. These items were later recovered in the area of Central Avenue and Brunswick Road. Surveillance video from the area shows the suspect to be a slim built individual, wearing a hooded sweatshirt. The incidents occurred at approximately 1:40 AM.
Pursuit
September 28, 2021 (Highland Avenue): Officers patrolling the area of Highland Avenue located an occupied silver Dodge Pickup Truck reported stolen earlier in the day from Belleville, NJ. Upon observing the patrol car, the vehicle proceeded north on Highland Avenue. Officers attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop however the pickup refused to stop and continued northbound on Highland Avenue. It then proceeded west on Bradford Avenue and entered Cedar Grove, NJ. The officers terminated the pursuit. The pickup was last seen fleeing south on Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove.
Arrests
September 29, 2021 (Park Street): Officers responded to the area of Montclair High School after school security observed an unknown person walking on school grounds. The School Resource Officer was contacted and located Jeanne Vega (36-year-old, Newark, NJ) at the High School Annex. She was charged with Criminal Trespass and Possession of Burglary Tools).
October 3, 2021 (Highpoint Terrace): Officers responded to Highmont Terrace on a report of a burglary in progress. The caller reported observing an unknown individual by his neighbor’s house, which he knew to be vacant. Responding officers observed an open rear door to the home in question. Upon checking the residence, they located Emilia Vargas (35 years-old, Newark, NJ). She was placed under arrest and charged with Criminal Trespass. She was also found to have outstanding warrants from Philadelphia, PA and Union Township, NJ.
Theft
October 6, 2021 (Bloomfield Avenue): The complainant reported that his bicycle was stolen from the bike rack in the garage of his apartment building. The green Trek 1200 was valued at
$300.00 and was reportedly stolen sometime between October 1, 2021 and October 3, 2021.
October 8, 2021 (Bloomfield Avenue): An employee of Whole Foods reported that her Apple iPhone 11 was stolen while it was being charged inside of the market. The phone was left inside of a restricted area and was valued at $750.00.
October 9, 2021 (Chestnut Street): The management of Clary Anderson Arena reported that a personalized New Jersey Devils jersey that hung in the lobby of the arena was stolen.
Surveillance video shows at 1:39 PM the suspect using a hammer to break the plastic cover of the display case and removing the jersey from it. The suspect is last seen walking towards the Walnut Street Train Station. The suspect is a medium skin toned black male, approximately 5'10''-6'2'' in height, thin muscular build, and a thin goatee. He was wearing glasses and a baseball cap with a circular design on the front. He also had on a zip up hooded sweatshirt with white draw strings around the hood, black Nike sweatpants with the Nike symbol on the left leg, and black and white sneakers. The jersey was a personalized New Jersey Devils hockey jersey with "CLARY ANDERSON" and "1" sewn on the back. The jersey was a gift from the Devils organization, but is valued at approximately $300. The display frame was also a gift and valued at approximately $200.
October 10, 2021 (South Park Street): The complainant reported that he was alerted by an anonymous person that two males were seen going through his bag that he had placed down. After checking his belongings, the complainant discovered a set of airpods were missing. The first suspect was described as a black male in his teens, medium build, approximately 5’08” tall, wearing ripped blue jeans, and a dark hooded sweatshirt. The second suspect was a thin black male in his teens wearing tight light gray sweatpants, a light gray hooded sweatshirt, and dark sneakers.
Suspicious Incident
October 10, 2021 (Edgecliff Road): The resident reported that he received an alert from his home security system of motion in his driveway. Upon review, he observed a small sedan pull up in front of the residence. A male gets out, approaches the complainant’s vehicle, and proceeds to enter it and rummage through the car. Nothing was reported missing. The suspect was a thin black male wearing a blue or green hooded sweatshirt with the hood up and dark pants.
Arrests
October 7, 2021 (Chestnut Street, West Orange): Officers conducting traffic enforcement near Nishuane School observed a vehicle with fictitious license plates and attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop. The operator failed to stop and continued at a high rate of speed, ultimately eluding the officers. He was last seen entering West Orange. Shortly after, officers located the vehicle and the operator on Chestnut Street in West Orange. Nelson Moss (27 years old, West Orange) was charged with Contempt and a multitude of motor vehicle violations.
October 7, 2021 (Bloomfield Avenue): Daniel Sollecito (75 years old, Montclair) was charged with Assault, Resisting Arrest, and Assaulting a Law Enforcement Officer stemming from a dispute at the MC Hotel.
October 9, 2021 (Park Street): Ryan Hargadon (29 years old, Wharton, NJ) was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Obstruction the Administration of Law, Terroristic Threats, and Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer following a dispute at Just Jakes.
Theft
October 12, 2021 (Bloomfield Avenue): The complainant reported that their bicycle was stolen from a rack in their garage some time in the past two weeks. The bike was described as a foldable gray and orange “Tern” valued at $500.00.
October 13, 2021 (Walnut Street): The complainant reported that a blue Trek sport bike valued at $500.00 was stolen from the rear of the property. It was reportedly left unsecured at the time of the theft.
October 14, 2021 (Woodland Avenue): The victim reported that his backpack was stolen from his work vehicle while it was parked on Woodland Avenue. The bag reportedly contained Apple airpods valued at $100.00, a Louis Vuitton wallet valued at $250.00, a pair of work gloves, numerous credit/debit cards, and $100.00 in cash.
October 17, 2021 (Squirehill Road): The residents reported that they were awoken by their garage door opening. Upon investigating, they discovered the doors to both of their vehicles open. Both vehicles had been rummaged through. Two pairs of sunglasses and a garage door opener were stolen.
Suspicious Incident
October 18, 2921 (The Fairway): The resident reported that while reviewing footage from her home surveillance system, she observed a black midsized SUV park in front of her residence and three males exit. All males were wearing hooded sweatshirts and dark clothing. The video shows the males attempt to enter the resident’s vehicle however it was locked. The males then fled on foot out of camera view.
Aggravated Assault / Arrest
October 12, 2021 (South Park Street): Officers responded to the area of Church Street and South Park Street on a report of two males physically fighting. Preliminary investigation indicates the altercation was over food and it began outside of The Salvation Army building. During the course of the altercation, one of the subjects took possession of a glass bottle and broke it. The subject then used the bottle to strike the victim in the back of his neck causing a deep laceration.
The victim was transported by ambulance to University Hospital for treatment and later released. Gerald Moore (74 years old, Montclair) was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Weapon (bottle), and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.
Arrest
October 14, 2021 (Bloomfield Avenue): At 5:57 AM, officers were dispatched to the rear parking lot of 554 Bloomfield Avenue on a report of two individuals in ski masks looking into cars. When officers arrived in the area, they were flagged down by a worker at Faubourg Restaurant who stated that he had just arrived at work and observed two males wearing masks inside of the restaurant. Officers arrived and checked the interior of the restaurant and located the two males inside. Upon seeing the officers, both males fled the restaurant on foot east on Bloomfield Avenue. Officers gave chase on foot and apprehended both subjects in the North Fullerton Parking Deck. Both subjects were in possession of gloves, pliers, and flashlights. In addition, they were found to be in possession of numerous debit/credit cards that did not belong to them.
Jorge Dalmaumartinez (18 years old, West Orange, NJ) and Joseph Azofeifa (19 years old, Montclair, NJ) were each charged with Burglary (to Faubourg), Possession of Burglary Tools, and Obstruction by Flight. Joseph Azofeifa was also found to be in possession of a knife and was additionally charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
Further investigation linked Dalmaumartinez and Azofeifa to seven additional thefts from motor vehicles that occurred during the night as well as an attempted Burglary to Trend Coffee and Tea House (411 Bloomfield Avenue). Both were charged accordingly. Additional charges are pending as the investigation continues. The entered vehicles occurred on Orange Road, South Fullerton Avenue, Valley Road, The Crescent Parking Deck, and Seymour Street. Anyone with information can contact Detective Steven Mateo at (973)509-4721.
Theft
October 19, 2021 (Park Street): The victim reported that personal belongings were removed from within a duffel bag while at the YMCA. Surveillance video shows a black male approximately 5'5” - 5'8” tall wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with "F.R.I.E.N.D.S" across the front in multi-color, grey sweat pants and red sneakers enter the YMCA and remove the items from the bag. Missing at this time are an Apple iWatch and a wallet.
October 20, 2021 (Summit Avenue): The resident reported that her 2015 Ford Mustang was stolen from her driveway. She reported that she heard her vehicle start at 6:11AM and when she looked out the window, she observed her vehicle fleeing east on Summit Avenue towards Grove Street. The vehicle was recovered on October 23, 2021 in Irvington, NJ.
October 20, 2021 (Union Street): The resident reported that his 2011 Ford Escape was stolen from the rear parking lot of his building. The vehicle was recovered several hours later in West Orange. A 30-year-old Montclair man was charged with Receiving Stolen Property by West Orange Police.
October 21, 2021 (Park Street): The victim reported multiple personal items stolen from his bag at the YMCA. Surveillance video shows the suspect to be a light skin black male, late teens to early 20s, approximately 5'10" in height, wearing a black and white Adidas jump suit with bright red sneakers. Reported missing was a wallet containing ID cards and $5.00 - $10.00 in cash.
October 22, 2021 (High Street): The resident reported that an unknown person entered her vehicle during the overnight hours. A purse containing debit cards were the reported proceeds.
October 22, 2021 (Church Street): The victim reported that he left his 2017 Range Rover in line at a valet parking stand on Church Street. While it was unattended, witnesses observed a tall, thin male, approximately 25 years old, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and jeans enter the car and drive away. The vehicle was recovered on October 24, 2021 on Lincoln Avenue in Newark.
October 25, 2021 (Plymouth Street): The complainant reported that at some point between October 19, 2021 and October 24, 2021, someone entered their detached garage via a window. The suspect made off with a red Specialized Mountain bike.
Arrests
October 21, 2021 (Bloomfield Avenue): James Aguiar (30-years-old, Montclair) was arrested on an open warrant out of Montclair.
October 22, 2021 (Lackawanna Plaza): Justin Davis (25 years old, Montclair) was charged with Burglary after officers responded to Lackawanna Plaza on a report of a male entering parked vehicles. Davis was located by patrol leaving the scene with proceeds from the entered vehicles on him.
October 24, 2021 (Bloomfield Avenue): Raymond George (45 years old, Newark) was charged with Theft of Services after attempting to leave Antika Grill with an open tab of $1085.00. He also had a warrant from East Hanover for $2500.00.
October 25, 2021 (South Park Street): David Blakely (31 years old, Montclair) was charged with Disorderly Conduct following a disturbance on South Park Street.