February 2025

Theft

February 18, 2025 (Valley Road): Store supervisors at Kings Supermarket reported a shoplifting that occurred. Two males entered the store and filled reusable bags with various meat products. They attempted to leave the store without making payment. One suspect left with a bag full of meat. The second suspect left his bag near the front entrance. They were last seen walking east on Inwood Avenue. The bag that was left contained $253.00 worth of meat.

February 19, 2025 (Elston Road): The residents reported that FedEx had delivered an Apple TV to their residence and left it on the front porch. Approximately twenty minutes after delivery, an unknown male walks up to the porch, takes the package, and returns to an awaiting vehicle. The suspect was described as a dark-skinned male, wearing a gray and black coat, blue jeans, dark color shoes and a black surgical mask.

February 20, 2025 (Bloomfield Avenue): Management at Fleet Feet reported that an unknown female entered the store and stole approximately $285.00 worth of clothing. The suspect was observed trying on several pieces of clothing and using the changing room. On video surveillance footage, the suspect is seen placing clothing into her blue shopping bag. She was described as a tall white female with blonde hair wearing a dark coat, gray sweater, gray pants and a blue shopping bag.

Suspicious Person

February 18, 2025 (Bloomfield Avenue): The complainant reported that she was pulling into a parking space when she observed a male walking on Rockledge Road carrying a knife. The male approached her vehicle and raised the knife before fleeing. No words were exchanged. The suspect was a black male with an approximately height of 5'10 to 6'0, slim build, and low-cut hair wearing dark clothes.

Burglary

February 20, 2025 (The Fairway): The residents reported that they were awoken at approximately 4:00AM by their homes audible alarm and immediately heard footsteps coming from downstairs. Upon looking out the window, they observed a dark Jeep Cherokee idling in front of their home. Officers were able to view camera footage on scene, which depicted two males arrive at the residence. They made their way up the driveway, through the gate to the backyard. Both suspects tried to manually open the windows and rear door, but they were all locked. At this point one party retrieved a tool that he was carrying and pried the window open, resulting in breaking the latch. Both suspects entered the residence and spent a total of 26 seconds inside before running off. Due to the quality of the video, a description of the suspects and vehicle could not be attained. It is believed that the suspects were looking for the key to a newer model Range Rover parked in the driveway

February 24, 2025 (Watchung Avenue): An employee of The Pie Store reported that he arrived at the store at approximately 10:00 AM to conduct maintenance inside. Upon arrival, he discovered the front door was left unlocked. He went inside and noticed the cash drawer ajar and the drawer next to it ajar containing various paperwork. There did not appear to be any signs of forced entry, however, the owner reported approximately $300.00 in cash was missing from the register.

Theft

February 26, 2025 (Valley Road): A male individual entered the Kings supermarket. The individual proceeded to walk to the meat department within the store. The individual then selected fifteen different meat items and placed them in his reusable shopping bag. The individual then exited the store via the north side entrance door. Surveillance footage depicted the suspect as 5'06”-5'07” in height and weighing 190 lbs. He was wearing a black hat, black jacket, tan sweatshirt, and black pants. The male had no facial hair and was said to be Hispanic. He fled with $345.81 worth of meat.

Motor Vehicle Crime

February 26, 2025 (Mount Hebron Road): A 2022 Honda CRV was stolen from a driveway on Mount Hebron Road. The owner reported that he was awoken by noise outside and subsequently observed two males in dark clothing in his vehicle. It was last seen fleeing north on Valley Road. The vehicle was located, abandoned, approximately one hour later in Paterson.

March 1, 2025 (Grenada Place): A 2023 Hyundai Elantra was stolen from outside of a Grenada Place residence. The owner reported that she briefly left the vehicle running and when she returned, she observed a male in the driver’s seat pulling away west on Grenada Place. It was recovered the following day in Union, NJ.

March 2, 2025 (Elm Street): The driver of a 2023 Mazda CX reported that he pulled up to Noches de Columbia to pick up a food order and left his vehicle running. When he returned, he discovered that his vehicle was gone. It was recovered the following day in Newark.

Smash and Grab Burglaries

February 28-March 2, 2025 (Various): Over the weekend, the Montclair Police Department responded to multiple “smash and grab” type burglaries to businesses in town.

On February 28, 2025, officers responded to The Chicken and Shawarma on Bloomfield Avenue. A civilian reported that while walking past the restaurant, they observed the front glass door had been shattered. Surveillance footage shows the burglary occurred at approximately 5:45 AM. The suspect, wearing a black puffy jacket with black sneakers, black pants, and a mask enters the store and leaves with the cash register which contained approximately $210.00.

On March 2, 2025, Officers responded to Marcel Bakery and Kitchen on Valley Road. The owner reported that one of his workers arrived to the business at 5:00 AM and discovered the front door had been pried open with a crowbar. A cash drawer containing $150.00 was stolen.

Later in day, Officers responded to Juniper Yoga and Fitness on Bellevue Avenue. There, they discovered that the front door had been damaged. The deadbolt was still intact, and entry was not gained by the suspect.

Later that same day, Toro Sushi in Upper Montclair Plaza reported that their front glass door had been shattered. Between $200-$300 was removed from the cash drawer. The pictured subject below is a person of interest in these incidents.

Anyone recognizing this person or who may have information regarding these incidents is asked to contact Detective Joseph Juliano at (973) 509-4724.