May 2023

Montclair Police Department

Police Blotter: May 2, 2023 – May 9, 2023

Shoplifting / Theft

May 3, 2023 (Valley Road): Officers responded to Krauzers on Valley Road on a shoplifting in progress. Upon arrival, Officers observed a 16-year-old male juvenile being detained by a customer and store employee. The juvenile had attempted to steal a vape and approximately $30.00 worth of various merchandise. He was also in possession of a silver toy handgun with an orange tip however, this item was not displayed during the theft. He was transported to police headquarters and turned over to a responsible adult.

May 5, 2023 (Bloomfield Avenue): An employee of Whole Foods reported that an unknown female entered the store and stole six “hydro flasks”. When confronted, she fled the store with the merchandise. The suspect was described as a black female wearing a gray sweater and a black baseball cap. The total value of merchandise taken was approximately $270.00.

May 4, 2023 (Portland Place): The resident reported that she was on vacation from April 21st-April 30th. When she returned, her home surveillance showed that a male wearing an orange wig, accompanied by two other individuals, stepped onto her front porch and removed a package that had between delivered to her home. The package contained miscellaneous clothing worth $200.

Motor Vehicle Crime

May 5, 2023 (Clinton Road): The victim reported that a black soft leather brief case and lunch bag were stolen from his 2016 Chevrolet work van. A passerby located the briefcase in the street and contacted the victim. Surveillance footage in the area shows a dark grey colored Mercedes traveling east on Gates Avenue. At 8:12 AM the occupants are seen tossing the brief case out of the rear driver side window. Nothing was reported missing.

May 5, 2023 (Maple Avenue): The victim reported that her 2009 Hyundai Sonata was stolen from her driveway. There was no surveillance located in the area.

May 7, 2023 (Squire Hill Road): The residents reported that a Hertz rental car was stolen from their driveway. The vehicle was a 2020 Kia. It was recovered in Newark on 5/8/2023.

Montclair Police Department

Police Blotter: May 9, 2023 – May 16, 2023

Theft

May 9, 2023 (Claremont Avenue): The victim reported that an 18k gold ring was delivered to his residence. Before he was able to secure the package, it was stolen from his porch. The ring was encrusted with multiple small diamonds and was valued at approximately $1300.00.

May 9, 2023 (Valley Road): An employee of Lukoil Gas Station reported that an older model white Ford Crown Victoria pulled into the service station and requested gas. The attendant filled the vehicle totaling sixty-one dollars ($61) then walked to the window to retrieve payment.
When he arrived at the window the driver stated "thanks" then drove off. The attendant chased the vehicle on foot in an attempt to note the license plate. He was only able to obtain a partial NJ registration of XLY. It was last seen north on Valley Road.

Burglary

May 13, 2023 (Eagle Rock Way): The resident reported that she was missing $200.00 from her purse. The resident checked the surveillance camera and discovered that at approximately 1:56 AM, the feet of an unknown individual are seen walking up to the kitchen door. The screen door is opened and then the individual opens the main kitchen door. The individual then enters the kitchen. He exits the home two minutes later. Due to the camera angle, no description could be obtained. The purse was located in a mud room off the kitchen.

Assault

May 13, 2023 (Bloomfield Avenue): Officers responded to the area of Bloomfield Avenue and Midland Avenue on a report of a male running in and out of traffic. Upon arrival, they located a male who reported being sprayed in the face with pepper spray. The victim reported that the attack was random and described the suspect only as a black female. She was last seen walking east on Bloomfield Avenue.

Arrest

May 10, 2023 (Watchung Avenue): A 46 year old male from Montclair was charged with Disorderly Conduct following a disturbance in Watchung Plaza.

Montclair Police Department

Police Blotter: May 16, 2023 – May 23, 2023

Burglary / Attempted Burglary

May 19, 2023 (South Mountain Avenue): The resident reported that he was awoken at 4:40 AM by his dogs barking. When he walked downstairs, he observed an unknown individual standing inside his home. The resident yelled, "What are you doing here?" The suspect then threw a briefcase that belonged to the resident in his direction and fled the home through the rear door and ran east down the driveway. The suspect was described as a male (unknown race) approximately 5’09” tall, wearing a black ski mask, black or grey hooded sweatshirt, and dark colored pants. Nothing was reported missing from the home.

May 23, 2023 (Undercliff Road): Officers responded to an Undercliff Road address for an attempted burglary. The resident reported that at 3:10 AM, two individuals were seen on his surveillance in the driveway towards the front of the property. One suspect attempted to gain entry to a high-end vehicle parked in the driveway. The vehicle was locked and the suspect was unsuccessful. A second suspect attempted to gain entry into the residence, specifically by opening the screen door on the side of the house overlooking the driveway. The glass sliding door behind the screen door was locked. One suspect was described as a black male, medium build, wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, a red hat, white surgical mask, and Adidas sweatpants with vertical white stripes along the side.

Theft

May 20, 2023 (Pine Street): The victim reported that a mattress that had been delivered to their home was stolen. The package was delivered at 4:30 PM and was valued at $1,300.00.

Motor Vehicle Crime

May 19, 2023 (Bellegrove Drive): The victim reported that her 2020 Land Rover was stolen from Bellegrove Drive while she was in Brookdale Park. Her purse was contained in the vehicle. The car was recovered on Mat 20, 2023 in Newark.

Arrest

May 18, 2023 (Lloyd Road): A 42 year old female from West Orange was charged with Criminal Mischief following a disturbance on Lloyd Road.

Montclair Police Department 
Police Blotter:  May 23, 2023 – May 30, 2023

Criminal Mischief

May 23, 2023 (Lloyd Road): The complainant reported that the word “Preto” was written in white spray paint on the retaining wall to his home.  Similar markings were reported on Undercliff Road.

Motor Vehicle Crime

May 25, 2023 (Appleton Place): The resident reported that his Jeep Wrangler was entered while parked in the driveway.  Approximately $7.00 in cash as well as a Swiss Army Knife were stolen.May 29, 2023 (Norwood Avenue):  The resident reported that he observed a young black male walk up his driveway and pull on the driver's door handle of his Audi A4.  Upon seeing the individual in his driveway, the resident yelled out his back door causing the suspect to run off and enter an awaiting Audi.   The suspect vehicle was determined to be stolen from Marlboro, NJ.  While canvassing the area, officers located a second vehicle that had been entered.  In that incident, a $500.00 pair of sunglasses was stolen.

Dispute

May 26, 2023 (Highland Avenue): The victim reported traveling from New York City in an Uber.  Upon arriving home, a dispute over money owed occurred.  During the course of the dispute, the driver reportedly grabbed a cell phone belonging to the passenger.  While attempting to retrieve the phone, the driver sped off with the passenger still halfway in the car. As a result, the victim fell backwards out of the open passenger side door, striking her head on the pavement, causing a contusion on the back of her head and road rash throughout her body.  The Uber fled south on Highland Avenue.

Burglary / Attempted Burglary

May 27, 2023 (Eagle Rock Way): The resident reported that while checking his home's surveillance video, he discovered a male on his property at 3:30 AM. The resident added that he discovered a cut screen door on an outside porch on the westside of the property.  Access was not gained into the home.

May 29, 2023 (South Mountain Avenue): The resident reported that an unknown suspect had entered his residence and stole two Luis Vutton purses, $500 cash, and his wife's 2023 Mercedes Benz.  Entry into the home was gained through a basement door.  The door was locked by a Hook and Eye latch. The suspect then made their way to the first-floor living room where the suspect took the victim’s wallet, medication and car keys.  The suspect then used the keys to steal the vehicle.

Arrests

May 27, 2023 (South Park Street): A 41-year-old male from West Orange was charged with Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest following a dispute on South Park Street.

May 29, 2023 (Mission Street): A 49-year-old male from Newark was charged with Disorderly Conduct and Terroristic Threats following a dispute on Mission Street.