August 2023

Police Blotter for 08-08-23 to 08-15-23

Montclair Police Department

Police Blotter: August 8, 2023 – August 15, 2023

Entered Vehicles

August 8-15, 2023: Between August 8, 2023 and August 15, 2023, there were three reports of vehicles being entered on Pine Street, Bloomfield Avenue, and Montague Place. On Bloomfield Avenue, the victim reported that she had just left her bank after withdrawing $10,000. She then went to Panera Bread on Bloomfield Avenue, leaving the cash inside her vehicle. When she returned, she discovered the passenger side window to her car had been shattered and the money was missing. There is no suspect description at this time.

Shoplifting

August 9, 2023 (South Park Street): An employee of 2nd Street Clothing Store reported that two individuals entered his store and grabbed four pairs of sneakers near the front entrance. They then fled the store south on South Park Street and west on Church Street. The suspects were described as a Hispanic male, light brown skin, wearing a purple camouflage sweatshirt with a yellow or orange hood, black sweat-pants, black wave cap with possible braids underneath, and white and black sneakers. The second suspect was described as a Hispanic, possibly male or female, light brown skin, wearing a black wave cap with possible long hair underneath, gray long sleeve Champion shirt, black shorts and black and white sneakers. The total value of sneakers stolen was $1948.00.

August 14, 2023 (South Park Street): An employee of 2nd Street Clothing Store reported that a male suspect entered his store, grabbed clothing from the racks, and walked out of the store without making payment. The suspect was described as a black male, 40-50 years old, wearing thick glasses, bald head, black t-shirt with a white triangle design on the front of it and blue jeans. It was estimated he left with between $1000-$2000 in designer clothing.

Motor Vehicle Crime

August 11, 2023 (Wilfred Street): The complainant reported that someone attempted to steal his 2011 Hyundai Elantra during the overnight hours. When he awoke, he discovered that the rear passenger side window was broken, and the steering column/ignition was broken.

Assault

August 12, 2023 (New Street): The victim reported that while standing on New Street, she was attacked by a group of females. In an attempt to escape, she entered her vehicle and attempted to drive away, however, one of her attackers was able to enter the rear seat and continued assaulting her. The victim continued driving before striking a parked vehicle. The suspects then fled the area. The victim sustained a laceration to her lower lip and possible head trauma from being assaulted. She was transported by Montclair EMS to Mountainside Hospital for further medical evaluation.

Burglary Attempt

August 14, 2023 (Cooper Avenue): The resident reported he was woken by his alarm at 5:20 AM. When he investigated, he observed a kitchen window slightly opened. The alarm company reported that the window was the cause of the alarm activation. It does not appear that entry was gained.

August 14, 2023 (Squire Hill Road): The resident reported that he observed his outdoor motion lights activate. Upon investigating, he observed a suspect with a black hood over his head and a black mask across his face attempting to open the back door. The resident stated that he ran to the front door where he exited his home and observed the original suspect and another suspect running to a nearby awaiting vehicle which he described as a white four door Hyundai. The Hyundai was occupied by a driver and unclear if there were any other occupants. Suspect one who attempted the back door was described as a white male, small build, possibly late teens wearing a black mask and black hooded sweatshirt with the hood raised and black pants. Suspect two was observed wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with light blue jeans.

Arrest

August 13, 2023 (Bloomfield Avenue): Officers responded to a Bloomfield Avenue apartment complex on a report of a burglary in progress. Responding officers located a 36-year-old male from Sea Girt, NJ actively attempting to gain access into an apartment. He was charged with Burglary and Criminal Mischief.

Police Blotter for 08-22-23 to 08-29-23

Montclair Police Department

Police Blotter: August 22, 2023 – August 29, 2023

Entered Vehicles

August 22-29, 2023. Unlocked vehicles were reported to have been entered on North Fullerton Avenue, Christopher Street, Waterbury Road, and Highland Avenue. In two incidents, work vans were entered and approximately $1000.00 in equipment was stolen.

Abandoned Dog

August 23, 2023 (Cloverhill Place): A resident in the area of Glenridge Avenue and Cloverhill Place reported that they observed a black vehicle (no further description) abandon a dog in the area. The dog was last seen wandering west on Glenridge Avenue. A responding officer located the canine, described as a brown and white Pitbull Terrier with a blue collar, near the eastbound side of the Lackawanna Plaza parking lot circling a set of donation bins. The dog did not have any identifying tags on it. The dog was turned over to Montclair Animal Control.

Motor Vehicle Crime

August 27, 2023 (Greenwood Avenue): A 2002 Dodge Pickup was reported stolen from the parking lot of Clairridge Motors. The vehicle had been dropped off for repairs at approximately 10:45 PM the previous night.

Theft

August 27, 2023 (Bloomfield Avenue): An employee of the Shell Station reported that a blue Mitsubishi, possibly an Outlander, requested $20.00 worth of gas and fled west on Bloomfield Avenue without making payment. The vehicle was occupied by three males and a female.

Burglary

August 27, 2023 (Melrose Place): The residents reported that after returning from vacation, they discovered a surveillance camera within the home’s kitchen was missing. After checking the “cloud”, they discovered that at 5:31 AM, a tall thin male, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants, black shoes, gloves and a mask, carrying a flashlight, entered the kitchen from an exterior door. Once inside, the individual wanders around the house, eventually leaving with two bottles of champagne, each valued at approximately $200.

Shoplifting

August 28, 2023 (Bloomfield Avenue): A Team Leader at Whole Foods Supermarket reported a shoplifting that occurred hours in the past. The employee reported that while reviewing surveillance, he observed at 10:28 AM, a woman leaving the store through the main entrance with a shopping cart full of products that were not paid for. The employee stated that the woman matches the description of a suspect that has been involved in at least four other shoplifting incidents at various Whole Foods locations. The suspect is believed to have shoplifted upwards of $5,517.13 from the "Whole Body" section of the store. The suspect was recorded taking the
$5,517.13 worth of (87) items from the "Whole Body" section also may have possibly taken various grocery items that have not been accounted for. The suspect entered the store through the main entrance at 9:52 AM and exited through that same entrance at 10:28 AM, instead of leaving through designated exit point past the cashiers.
The suspect was observed by herself during this incident but has been known to operate with a male accomplice. Whole Foods Asset Protection is currently investigating the incidents but has not yet identified the suspects. Police reports have been filed with three other Police Departments regarding these suspects; Parsippany PD, Middletown PD, and Wayne PD. The female suspect is described as having blonde hair, medium height and build, usually wearing a denim jacket, white shirt, black pants, and black w/ white Vans sneakers. She has been observed wearing the same clothing at multiple Whole Foods locations.

Arrest

August 27, 2023 (High Street): Officers were dispatched to the area of High Street on a report of a suspicious male walking up and down resident’s driveways. When the suspect observed the first responding officer, he fled on foot into Carey’s Woods. Shortly after, a second officer observed the same suspect who once again fled on foot. After a foot pursuit, a 45-year-old from Montclair was placed under arrest and charged with Criminal Trespass. He was found to have jewelry on him that has not yet been determined to be stolen.

Police Blotter for 08-29-23 to 09-05-23

Montclair Police Department

Police Blotter: August 29, 2023 – September 5, 2023

Theft

August 30, 2023 (South Park Street): The complainant reported that he was inside of Urban Outfitters and left his black GT Mountain Bike with light blue lettering on the side of the building near the bench unsecured. When he returned the bicycle was gone. Witnesses reported seeing a tall, thin black male in either his 50's or 60's take the bike. He was further described as wearing ripped jeans, a bicycle helmet with grocery bags on his head under the helmet and gray stubble facial hair and was very "wide-eyed". The bike was valued at approximately $800.00.

September 1, 2023 (Upper Mountain Avenue): The victim reported that approximately sixty-five to eighty-five pieces of blue aluminum scaffolding was stolen from his property. A neighbor reported observing a pick-up truck loading the scaffolding the previous night. According to the victim, each scaffolding piece costs $362.00 and he said it was around 65-85 pieces.

Entered Vehicles

August 31, 2023 (Cross Street): The complainant reported that his wallet was stolen from his unsecured parked vehicle during the overnight hours. Unauthorized credit card purchases were reportedly made in Newark and New York City after the theft.

Burglary

September 1, 2023 (New Street): The resident reported that his apartment was entered while he was out running errands. Entry was made through an unlocked rear door. The apartment was ransacked, however, at the time of the report, it was unknown if anything was stolen.

Arrests

August 29, 2023 (Claremont Avenue): A 43-year-old male from Belleville, NJ was charged with shoplifting from CVS Pharmacy. He was found to have seventeen personal hygiene items concealed in his sweatshirt.

September 2, 2023 (Bellevue Avenue): A 44 -year-old male from Bloomfield, NJ was charged with Possession of a Weapon (Baseball Bat) and Terroristic Threats following a disturbance on Bellevue Avenue.

September 3, 2023 (Union Street): At approximately 11:14 PM, officers were dispatched to a Union Street residence on a report of a burglary in progress. Responding officers located the suspect, a 45-year-old male from Hamilton, NJ, attempting to gain entry through a rear door. He was charged with Criminal Attempt Burglary and Possession of a controlled dangerous substance after narcotics were found in his possession.

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