May 2025 Police Blotter

Motor Vehicle Crime

April 29, 2025 (Hawthorne Place): The victim reported that the Catalytic Converter was removed from her 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The theft occurred during the overnight hours while the vehicle was parked on Hawthorne Place. 

May 2, 2025 (Valley Road): The victim reported that his 2020 Range Rover was stolen from behind his place of business. At the time of the theft, the vehicle was left unlocked as he was in the process of unloading items. A witness reported observing two individuals exiting a grey BMW and subsequently entering the Range Rover. Both the BMW and the Range Rover then fled the scene at a high rate of speed. The vehicles were then seen entering the CVS Parking Lot on Valley Road. The occupants of the Range Rover were seen attempting to enter a 2022 Dodge Charger that was parked in the CVS Parking Lot. The suspects were unsuccessful as the Dodge was locked. The BMW and Range Rover then travelled east on Cooper Avenue towards Park Street. A resident walking on Park Street advised officers that she observed both vehicles stop at a residence on Park Street. Occupants of both vehicles proceeded down the driveway of the residence and attempted to take a BMW SUV that was parked in the driveway. They were unsuccessful and both the BMW and Range Rover were last seen fleeing south on Park Street.

Theft

May 1, 2025 (Valley Road): A repeat shoplifter was seen by employees entering the Kings Supermarket. He was observed placing multiple packages of meat into his shopping cart. The employees waited by the door resulting in the suspect leaving the cart behind and exiting the market.

Arrests

 May 2, 2025 (Bloomfield Avenue): A 35-year-old male from Montclair was charged with Criminal Mischief after breaking several potted planting urns along Bloomfield Avenue.

May 5, 2025 (North Willow Street): A 43-year-old male from Montclair was charged with Assault and Criminal Mischief following a dispute on North Willow Street.

Theft

 May 6, 2025 (Valley Road): King’s employees reported that an hour before contacting police, two individuals entered the supermarket and stole steaks. The first suspect, a black male handling a shopping cart entered the market. He proceeded directly to the meat section of the store and selected four “cowboy ribeye steaks”. He then immediately exited the store without making payment. He was described as six feet tall, approximately 20-30 years old, full beard, wearing a black "Nike" brand sweatshirt, black pants, black shoes, black glasses, and a black baseball cap with a rectangular grey logo. The second suspect was seen browsing the store, gathering multiple items and placing them in his backpack. He then exited the market without making payment. He was described as a white male, six feet tall, 20-30 years old, with balding black or brown hair, wearing a green t-shirt, black pants, black shoes.

Attempted Burglary

May 11, 2025 (Undercliff Road): The resident, who was out of the country, reported that he observed an unknown person on his property through his surveillance cameras. The suspect was seen on camera attempting to enter the home through a front door. Upon the arrival of officers, the residence was checked. All doors and windows were secured. It appeared the suspect was unable to enter the home.

Motor Vehicle Crime

 May 13, 2025 (High Street): The complainant reported that her vehicle was stolen from the detached parking garage of her apartment complex. The vehicle was described as a 2014 Mercedes Benz. The key fob was apparently left in the vehicle.

Theft

May 13, 2025 (Saint Lukes Place): The complainant reported that a package containing prescription medication had been delivered to her apartment complex. When she went to retrieve the package from her vestibule, she discovered that it was no longer there. Surveillance footage shows the suspect entering the vestibule, taking two packages from the shelf and then leaving the premises. The suspect can be described as a heavy-set female wearing a black shirt, with black hair, and glasses, carrying various bags.

May 15, 2025 (Lexington Avenue): The resident reported that a FedEx package was removed from his front porch. Surveillance footage shows approximately twenty-five minutes after delivery, an unidentified suspect approaches the front door of the residence, takes the package, opens it, and removes the contents. The suspect then proceeds to walk toward the driver’s side door of an awaiting grey SUV parked facing west on Lexington Avenue. The suspect can be described as a white male, weighing approximately 150-170 pounds, dressed in a blue and white "Duke Blue Devils" crew neck sweatshirt, black ripped jeans and black sneakers. The suspect is also wearing a gold and red colored necklace, and a black "North Face" hat, and has earrings in his right ear.

Arrests

May 16, 2025 (Highland Avenue): As a result of an on-going investigation, Detectives charged a 28-year-old male from Newark with Burglary, Attempted Burglary, and two counts of Conspiracy stemming from two residential burglaries that occurred in April 2025. The subject was processed and transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility. May 18, 2025 (North Fullerton Avenue): An 18-year-old male from Paterson and a 21-year-old male from Montclair were each charged with Disorderly Conduct following a dispute on North Fullerton Avenue.

Theft

 May 22, 2025 (South Park Street): A female entered 2nd Street Clothing on South Park Street and removed the security tag on a pair of rain boots. An employee was able to take the boots from the suspect before she fled. While reviewing surveillance after the fact, they discovered that the suspect had also placed a pair of sneakers valued at $279.00 into her bag. The suspect was able to flee the store with the sneakers. She was described as a black female, wearing a burgundy top, black sunglasses, white sneakers and carrying a blue bag where she concealed the stolen items.

Burglary / Attempted Burglary

May 23, 2025 (Marion Road): The residents reported that they were asleep on the second floor of their home when they were awoken by noises coming from the first floor. The male resident went downstairs to investigate and heard the burglar alarm going off. He stated that as he got to the bottom of the stairs, he observed two suspects dressed all in black in his residence. The resident reported that he yelled at the suspects which caused them to run out of the house to an awaiting vehicle which then fled east on Marion Road. The suspects were able to enter the home through a first-floor window. The fleeing vehicle was said to be a dark colored BMW SUV. It appears the suspects were targeting the victim’s two BMWs parked in his driveway.

May 24, 2025 (South Willow Street): The resident reported that an unknown person(s) attempted to enter her home. The incident occurred between 11:00 AM and 5:30 PM. Upon returning home, she discovered the rear door frame was damaged. The deadbolt lock was still secured. The suspect(s) were unable to enter the home.

Arrests

 May 23, 2025 (Maple Avenue): Officers responded to a vacant Maple Avenue residence on a report of unauthorized people in the house. Officers searched the house and located two males hiding. A 37-year-old male from Verona and a 53-year-old male from Nyack, NY were each charged with Criminal Trespass.

May 23, 2025 (Bloomfield Avenue): A 35-year-old male from Montclair was charged with Disorderly Conduct following a dispute on Bloomfield Avenue.