October 2024

Montclair Police Department

Police Blotter: October 1, 2024 – October 8, 2024

Burglary

October 1, 2024 (Christopher Street): The resident reported that she was in the kitchen making coffee at approximately 5:10 AM when she heard someone moving around in the basement. She stated that she sat down in her living room area when the basement door opened and a male, approximately 14-15 years old, wearing all black with a black mask peered around the door and made eye contact with her. The suspect pulled the basement door shut, and the resident called 911. Entry appears to have been made through a basement window. There were no reported proceeds.

iPhone Theft

Highland Avenue, Pleasant Way, Duryea Road: With the release of the new iPhone 16, residents have reported an increase in package thefts. On October 1, 2024 a resident of Highland Avenue and a resident of Pleasant Way reported that their iPhones had been delivered to their homes via FedEx. When they went to retrieve the phones, they discovered that the package had been stolen. Similarly, a resident of Duryea Road reported his FedEx package containing an iPhone 16 was stolen on October 7, 2024.

Criminal Mischief

October 7, 2024 (Champlain Terrace): A contractor working at Woodman Field reported that the netting around the baseball field had all its pulley ropes (used to raise and lower the netting) cut. In addition, a hole was cut into a section of the netting.

Arrest

October 4, 2024 (Bloomfield Avenue): A 38-year-old male from Paterson, NJ was charged with Receiving Stolen Property and Obstruction by Flight following a theft of $700.00 in alcohol from a delivery truck on Bloomfield Avenue.

Motor Vehicle Crime

October 15, 2024 (Lloyd Road): Witnesses reported that they observed two males actively attempting to steal a 2024 BMW X1 parked on Lloyd Road. The males were inside of the BMW but were seemingly having difficulty operating it. After multiple witnesses began yelling at them, the two suspects ran to an awaiting white Mercedes Benz with tinted windows and fled north on Lloyd Road. The suspects were wearing all black with black masks.

Burglary

October 16, 2024 (Christopher Street): The resident reported that his Rolex watch and some cash were stolen from his home during the overnight hours. The items were reportedly left on his kitchen counter. It is unknown how the suspect(s) gained entry into the home.

Theft

October 16, 2024 (Valley Road): The manager of King’s Supermarket reported three incidents of shoplifting over the week. In the first incident, approximately $2198.00 worth of produce, meat, and seafood was stolen. In the second incident, $1279.00 worth of meat and seafood was stolen. In the last incident, $1426.00 worth of meat and seafood was stolen. The suspects were described as two Hispanic males, 25-35 years old.

October 17, 2024 (Forest Street): The resident reported that two cell phones that he ordered through AT&T were delivered to his home and stolen from his porch. The phones were a Samsung Fold and an Apple iPhone 16.

Assault

October 20, 2024 (South Park Street): The complainants reported that they were driving south on South Park Street towards The Crescent when two males abruptly walked out in front of them without looking. The suspects then stood in front of the complainant’s car and refused to move. The complainant stated that she rolled down her window to apologize and inform the males that that she did not see him. The suspect then leaned into the car window and grabbed the victim’s arm, ripped her sleeve, and broke multiple bracelets off her wrist.

Arrests

October 17, 2024 (Claremont Avenue): A 48-year-old male from Montclair was charged with Shoplifting and Obstruction of Law following his arrest at CVS on Claremont Avenue.

October 21, 2024 (Bloomfield Avenue): A 34-year-old male from Montclair was charged with Criminal Mischief and Harassment following a dispute on Bloomfield Avenue.

October 19, 2024 (Greenwood Avenue): At approximately 10:40 PM, officers were dispatched to the area of 50 Greenwood Avenue on a report of three males attempting to gain entry into vehicles. The first responding officer observed the three males matching the description of the suspects actively burglarizing a vehicle in the parking lot of 1 Greenwood Avenue. Upon observing patrol, the three suspects fled on foot westbound on Glenridge Avenue. Additional responding units located the three males on North Willow Street. One suspect was pursued on foot and was apprehended at Bloomfield Avenue and Gates Avenue. The remaining two suspects were located by patrol hiding in a parking lot on Gates Avenue. All three males were juveniles. Two 14-year-old males from Newark were charged with Burglary to a Vehicle. One juvenile from Newark was additionally charged with Obstruction by Flight. A 17-year-old male from Union was charged with Burglary to a Vehicle. All three juveniles were later released to a parent or guardian.

Theft

October 23, 2024 (Heller Way): The resident reported that he had four Apple iPhones removed from his porch. The phones had been delivered by FedEx. A landscaper reported observing as dark skinned Hispanic male waiting for the delivery. Once made, the suspect took the phones from the porch and fled into a 2012 Honda Civic.

Burglary

October 24, 2024 (Alvin Place): Montclair Police responded to 15 Alvin Place on a report of a burglary. This location is the site of a mechanical repair shop. Upon the arrival of officers, a light smoke condition was observed within the premises. As a result, the Montclair Fire Department responded as well. The reporting party stated that she arrived at the location to check on the property and discovered the burglary. She was unable to determine if anything was stolen.

Prior to the incident, witnesses reported, and nearby surveillance shows, juveniles in the area riding their bicycles in the vicinity of the building and were also seen playing on the roof of the building. Preliminary investigation suggests a group of juveniles entered the building through an unsecured second floor window. Once inside, the suspects used a can of black spray paint to vandalize the walls. Phrases such as "HELP", "Free Diddy", a drawing of a ghost, a phallic symbol, and a swastika, were also observed. In addition to the graffiti, there were several small piles of burnt items in the garage that were left smoldering. The Montclair Fire Department successfully extinguished the small piles.

As a result of the swastika being discovered, the Essex County Prosecutors Office was notified. The incident will be investigated as a potential bias incident until proven otherwise. Anyone with information can contact Detective Joseph Juliano at (973) 509-4724.

Suspicious Incident

October 25, 2024 (Harrison Avenue): The resident reported that she was inside of her kitchen and observed an unknown male standing at her back door. The male was described as a light skin Hispanic male, approximately 5'3"-5'4" tall, thin build, wearing a hooded sweatshirt. He was also said to be clean shaven. The resident yelled and the male fled. He did not enter the home.