April 2025

Burglary Attempt

April 2, 2025 (High Street): The resident reported that he was awoken by a banging sound outside of his residence. He stated that he went downstairs and observed an unknown male inside his 2022 BMW X5. The resident yelled at the unknown male and banged on his living room window. This caused the male to exit the BMW and get back into an awaiting vehicle. A second unknown male was observed at the front door of the residence. This male also fled after the resident banged on the window. There were two windows on the first floor of the residence that appeared to have been opened. There were markings on the windows consistent with someone trying to pry them open. Entry into the home was unsuccessful.

April 6, 2024 (Mount Vernon Road): The resident reported that when he woke up in the morning, he discovered that the screen on his porch window had been removed, and an attempt was made to enter the window. Entry was unsuccessful as the window was locked. After checking his surveillance, he discovered that two individuals walked onto his porch at approximately 4:00 AM. The suspects were seen walking around the property, checking various windows, which were all locked.

Theft

April 3, 2025 (Elston Road): The complainant reported that he received a notification at 1:30 PM of a package being delivered by UPS. Approximately three minutes later, he received another notification showing a silver 4 door sedan parking in front of his house. A female driver exited, approached his front porch, took the package, and left. The female can be described as a Black female, with long hair wearing all black sweat suit, red and black Jordan shoes, a black cap and glasses. The package contained a Visa Debit card.

April 5, 2025 (Valley Road): Officers responded to the Lukoil gas station on a report of a theft of gas. The attendant reported that at approximately 3:10 PM a vehicle pulled up to the gas station and requested their vehicle be filled. The vehicle in question was described at a black Acura RDX bearing Connecticut registration. The vehicle was occupied by at least two males who were wearing all black clothing with face coverings and their hoods up, only showing their eyes. Once the vehicle was filled the occupants fled the gas station without paying. The vehicle was last seen going south on North Mountain Avenue.

April 7, 2025 (Valley Road): Officers responded to Kings Supermarket on a shoplifting. A male suspect was seen on surveillance entering the store and proceeding straight to the meat department within the store. The suspect placed various meats into a shopping cart. This individual then exits the store via the north side entrance door. The suspect got into the passenger side of a small white sedan and exited the lot in an unknown direction. He was able to flee with approximately $244.00 worth of meat.

April 7, 2025 (Valley Road): Officers responded to the Acme Supermarket on a report of a shoplifting that occurred earlier in the day. A male suspect was seen walking the aisles and placing various meat products into his cart, underneath his jacket. The suspect proceeds to the checkout counter and pays for five gallons of water. He then exits the store with the unpaid meat that was under his jacket.

Arrest

April 5, 2025 (Tremont Place): Officers responded to Tremont Place on a report of a male exposing himself. Officers responded and after speaking with witnesses, located the suspect, a 20-year-old male from Montclair. The male was subsequently charged with Lewdness.

Robbery / Assault

April 9, 2025 (Lackawanna Plaza): Officers responded to the area of Elm Street and Orange Road where they located a sixteen-year-old juvenile male with multiple lacerations to his head. The juvenile was being assisted by two Samaritans. The victim reported that he had been beaten and robbed of his belongings in an alleyway on Lackawanna Plaza. Officers responded to Lackawanna Plaza where they were able to locate the crime scene. Surveillance footage in the area revealed that the incident occurred between 9:30 PM and 9:40 PM. The victim was seen in the alley at which point five male suspects approached the victim and began assaulting him. After the assault, the suspects took the victim’s shoes, backpack and a cellphone from his pocket. The victim was ultimately transported to University Trauma Center in Newark and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. This incident is currently under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Kevin Ortiz at (973) 509-4721.

Motor Vehicle Crime

April 11, 2025 (Bellevue Avenue): The victim reported that her purse was stolen from her vehicle while parked on Bellevue Avenue. She reported that her vehicle was left unlocked and unattended between 8:30 PM and 12:30 AM. The purse reportedly contained her medications.

April 11, 2025 (Hilltop Place): The resident reported that he was seated in his home when he heard voices outside of his window. He peered through his window and observed at least one male inside of his 2015 Toyota Rav4. The resident went outside, and the suspects fled west on Hilltop Place. They were described only as two younger black males wearing all black clothing.

Harassment / Criminal Mischief

April 11, 2025 (Glenridge Avenue): The complainant reported that his Tesla had been vandalized while parked on Glenridge Avenue. He reported that an unknown male had left several notes on his vehicle. The notes included phrases such as “Nazi Car”, “I scratched your car”, as well as other vulgar phrases. Upon inspecting his vehicle, the complainant discovered new damage near the rear passenger side. The suspect is a thin white male, average height, twenty to thirty years old, wearing a dark jacket, and blue jeans.

Burglary / Burglary Attempt

 April 16, 2025 (Highland Avenue): The resident reported that she heard a commotion in her driveway at approximately 5:15 AM. Shortly thereafter, she heard the front door “chime”. The resident stated that she went to her bedroom window and saw an individual, dressed in all black, standing on the grass directly in front of her home. She immediately started banging on the window and the suspect fled down the front lawn into a waiting vehicle. The vehicle was described as a black sedan, possibly a Nissan Maxima, that fled north on Highland Avenue. The resident later pulled the interior camera footage and saw that the suspect had entered the home through the living room window. The suspect then opened the front door from the inside. In addition, there is footage of another male suspect, dressed in all black, to include gloves and a balaclava face mask, that began to enter the front door and quickly ran out and down the front lawn to the waiting vehicle. It is believed the suspects were searching for keys to two high end vehicles that were parked in the driveway.

April 16, 2025 (Midland Avenue): The resident reported that an unknown person attempted to enter her home. She stated that she noticed a screen window had been removed from the front window. This prompted her to check her surveillance where she discovered two males attempting to enter the home through the window at 4:55AM. The suspects are seen looking into an Audi Q8 parked in the driveway and then approach the window of the home where they attempted to make entry into the home with a crowbar. Unable to make entry, they fled to an awaiting four door vehicle.

Motor Vehicle Crime

April 16, 2025 (Marquette Road): The resident reported that he was checking his home surveillance when he discovered two males attempting to steal his vehicles. One suspect was wearing a black hoodie with white stripes, black pants, and white sneakers, with black gloves. This suspect walked up to the resident’s Porsche SUV and attempted to open the driver’s side door. The vehicle was parked in the driveway. The vehicle was locked, and the suspect went back into the suspect’s awaiting vehicle. A second suspect, wearing all black with black gloves, attempted to open the resident’s silver Mercedes. This vehicle was locked as well resulting in the two suspects fleeing towards Alexander Avenue.

April 16, 2025 (Orange Road): The complainant reported that his wallet was stolen from his employer’s work truck. The wallet, which contained several credit and debit cards, was left on the dashboard. The suspect(s) were able to use one of the victim’s credit cards at an undisclosed Foot Locker.

Arrests

April 18, 2025 (Forest Street): A 26-year-old male from Newark was charged with Burglary after a resident of Forest Street observed him burglarizing her vehicle. Patrol located the suspect on Chestnut Street.

April 21, 2025 (Mission Street): A 21-year-old male from Montclair was charged with Criminal Trespass after a Mission Street resident observed him attempting to break into his apartment. Responding units located the suspect in the area and ordered him to stop. The suspect ran on foot and was ultimately placed under arrest. He was additionally charged with Resisting Arrest and Obstruction.

Burglary

April 23, 2025 (Nassau Road): The resident reported that she was away from her home between the hours of 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM. When she returned home, she discovered damage to her rear door, consistent with someone forcing it open. Multiple rooms on the first and second floor had been entered and rummaged through. At the time of the report, the resident noted that cash and some jewelry were missing.

Shoplifting

April 26, 2025 (Valley Road): Management at King’s Supermarket reported that an unidentified male entered the meat section and proceeded to place several meat products into his cart. The male then left the store without making payment. The suspect was described as a black male, approximately 5' 7" tall, and weighing approximately 160 pounds. He was dressed in a maroon shirt, black jacket, and gray pants. He wore a black baseball cap, glasses, and had a watch on his left wrist.

Motor Vehicle Crime

April 27, 2025 (Glenridge Avenue): The victim reported that he had approximately 122 packages inside of his vehicle that he used for work. His vehicle was entered at approximately 8:00 PM. Multiple packages were observed torn open and thrown throughout the interior of the vehicle. Due to the large number of packages contained in the vehicle, a complete inventory of stolen items could not be completed at the time of the report.

April 27, 2025 (Grant Street): The complainant reported that he returned to his vehicle after leaving it for several hours and found the contents of the glove box and center console had been rummaged through. His wallet containing cash and credit cards was stolen.

Arrests

Arrest made in connection with Burglary on Highland Avenue and Midland Avenue

A 25-year-old male from East Orange, NJ was arrested and charged with Burglary, Attempted Burglary, and Conspiracy stemming from the recent residential burglaries on Highland Avenue and Midland Avenue. He is currently housed at the Essex County Correctional Facility. The investigation into these incidents was conducted by Detective Joseph Juliano.

April 28, 2025 (Mission Street): Officers responded to a 911 call of a “Burglary in Progress” at a Mission Street residence. Officers responded and located the suspect as he was fleeing the residence and immediately apprehended him. After speaking with the victim, the suspect, a 43- year-old male from Montclair, was charged with Burglary