January 2026 Police Blotter

Theft

January 6, 2026 (Harrison Avenue): An employee of the Delta Gas Station reported that two unknown males came to the gas station and asked to have their vehicle filled with Premium gasoline. After the attendant filled the vehicle, he attempted to request the money ($38.00) when the vehicle suddenly fled the scene. The vehicle was last seen traveling east on Virginia Avenue. The attendant stated that the vehicle was occupied by two black males in their twenties. The vehicle is described as a black BMW M6 bearing NJ registration which comes back to a stolen license plate out of Elizabeth.

January 6, 2026 (Claremont Avenue): Employees at CVS reported that they discovered a shortage in merchandise after conducting an inventory. As a result, they checked their surveillance footage where they located a male who entered the store, walked through aisles while taking items from racks and shelves and placing them in a blue shopping bag before leaving. The suspect is believed to be white or Hispanic male wearing a black winter hat, black face mask, black waste length winter jacket, brown kaki style pants, and black sport sneakers. Approximately $1331 in merchandise was stolen.

Burglary

January 7, 2026 (Plymouth Street): The resident reported that he was awoken at approximately 6:40 AM by his Ring camera system alerting him to a person in his backyard. The resident checked his cameras and observed an individual attempting to open his rear door. The individual was unable to make entry and fled the area in a dark colored SUV.

January 13, 2026 (Marquette Road): At approximately 3:10 AM, patrol units responded to a Marquette Road residence on a report of a burglary that had just occurred. The residents reported that they were woken up by their home alarm system going off. The male resident stated that he went downstairs where he observed three individuals dressed in all dark clothing standing in his kitchen with the rear sliding door open. A fourth individual ran out of the first-floor bathroom area towards the open rear door. All suspects ran from the home upon seeing the homeowner. The resident reported that the suspects entered a dark colored sedan and fled south towards Alexander Avenue. The suspects were wearing all black with face coverings, gloves, and had two crow bars. The resident reported that the suspects were able to steal a Patek watch valued at $70,000, a purse, wallet, and keys to a 2024 Porche. They did not steal the car.

Motor Vehicle Crime

January 7, 2026 (Christopher Street): The victim reported that unknown person(s) entered her vehicle and stole two credit cards. The suspect used the cards to make approximately $120.00 worth of purchases at Popeye’s, Snipes, and JD1260.

January 12, 2026 (Highland Avenue): Officers on patrol located a 2014 Kia Optima abandoned on Highland Avenue. The vehicle was determined to have been stolen from Irvington, NJ. The vehicle was subsequently impounded.

Motor Vehicle Crime

January 16, 2026 (Orange Road): The owner of a 2016 Volkswagen Golf reported his vehicle stolen from his parking lot. The vehicle was recovered the following day in Newark.

Arrests

January 15, 2026 (Bloomfield Avenue): A 33-year-old female from Newark was charged with Criminal Mischief following a disturbance at 7-11.

January 15, 2026 (Bloomfield Avenue): A 20-year-old male from Montclair was charged with Criminal Trespass following a dispute at Panera Bread.

January 19, 2026 (Trinity Place): A 35-year-old male from Montclair was charged with Defiant Trespass following a dispute at the Salvation Army.

Theft

January 22, 2026 (Claremont Avenue): Officers responded to the CVS on Claremont Avenue on a report of a shoplifting in progress. Employees observed two female suspects filling their bags with merchandise. When the employees approached the suspects, the suspects fled with their bags full. They were described as a middle-aged black females wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, black coat, brown and black scarf, white/blueish scarf, light colored pants, and black sneakers with a white mid sole. This suspect was also carrying a green reusable shopping bag, a black bag with designs on it, and gray bag. The second suspect was a young black female wearing a black and white colored headscarf, black jacket, black gloves, grey pants, and black sneakers with a white mid sole. This suspect was carrying a reusable shopping bag that was black with blue, pink, and purple designs on it. She was also carrying a black reusable "Shoprite" bag.

Burglary

January 23, 2026 (Valley Road): At approximately 3:18 AM, Officers responded to the Montclair Pharmacy (Valley Road / Laurel Place) on a report of an activated alarm. The first officer on scene observed the front door of the business to be completely shattered and boxes rummaged through near the entrance. The pharmacy was checked for suspects, however they had fled.

Surveillance video shows at 3:14 AM, two suspects walk up to the front door located on Valley Road. One suspect is carrying what appears to be a pipe wrench. Both suspects begin peering through the front door. The suspect holding the pipe wrench, swings the wrench and smashes the front door. Both suspects then enter through the broken door and run towards the back doorway of the pharmacy. The suspects immediately open a cabinet and begin rummaging through the products inside. After grabbing several boxes from the cabinet, the two suspects make their way back to the front of the pharmacy. The suspects then circle back to the north side of the building before exiting back out through the smashed door at approximately 3:15 AM. It appears that the suspects began running southbound, but it is unknown if they entered a vehicle. The suspects can be described as (Suspect 1) Male wearing a black jacket, black sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, black ski mask, green or yellow gloves, white/gray new balance sneakers, white Nike socks and was observed with the pipe wrench. (Suspect 2) Male wearing a black jacket, black sweatshirt, black sweatpants with white stripes down the side, black ski mask, white gloves, black sneakers and was holding a black bag.

January 24, 2026 (Lorraine Avenue): The resident reported that she was woken up by her home alarm system. When she walked downstairs to investigate, she observed two unknown males in the foyer of her home. The resident screamed and the two males fled. The suspects were able to force open the door that leads to the foyer. The suspects were wearing dark colored clothing, masks, and gloves. Surveillance shows that the males were attempting to enter the residents 2025 BMW X7 prior to entering the home.

January 25, 2026 (Grove Street): Officers responded to Grove Pharmacy on a report of a burglary in progress. A passerby reported that he observed three individuals exiting the pharmacy through a shattered front door and flee north on Grove Street. The front door was shattered by large rocks that were located in the store. The suspects were able to flee with Xanax, Tramadol, and Tylenol with Codeine. One suspect was wearing a bright colored orange or yellow jacket and the other two individuals were wearing all black and were carrying duffle bags. They fled north on Grove Street. Anyone with information on the two Pharmacy Burglaries can contact Detective Garth Guthrie at (973) 509-4712.

Theft

January 27, 2026 (Valley Road): Management at Kings Supermarket reported that an unidentified male entered the business. The male proceeded to the meat section of the supermarket and concealed three prime rib steaks. The male then advanced to the register to purchase two cases of water. While in the process of purchasing the cases of water, one of the prime rib steaks fell to the ground. The male then kicked the steak that fell, under the conveyor belt. He then successfully purchased his water with cash and exited the store with two unpaid steaks still in his possession. The value of the steaks stolen is $94.66. The suspect was described as a white male in his sixties, 5'9"-5'11" in height, wearing a heavy jacket with a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, white sneakers and carrying a brown bag with the letter 'M' on it.

January 28, 2026 (Valley Road): The leasing manager for Valley Bloom reported that an unknown male, driving a Silver Honda CRV, parked in front of the entrance of the building to drop off a food delivery. After dropping off the food and prior to exiting the building, the driver grabbed two packages from the common area near the north side of the building and proceeded to exit. The suspect is believed to be a White/Hispanic male, who was wearing a black baseball cap, blue sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, and dark gray shoes at the time of the theft.

January 31, 2026 (Church Street): An employee of Benvenuti Gelato Shop reported that a male suspect entered the store and walked away with the tip jar that was located on the front counter. She described him as a skinny tall black male wearing a black hooded jacked with the hood up and covering his face.

Motor Vehicle Crime

January 29, 2026 (Bloomfield Avenue): The victim reported that his 2024 Hyundai Tucson was stolen. He reported that he parked on the 700 block of Bloomfield Avenue and left it unattended briefly while he was asking someone for directions. Two days later, he reported that he located the vehicle in Newark.