Theft
June 11, 2024 (Elmwood Avenue): The caller reported that after failing to locate a package, he checked his surveillance and discovered that an unknown male, described as a light skin older black male, approximately fifty to sixty years of age, bald, wearing an orange shirt with a logo on the chest, and black pants approached the residence and took the package. The unknown male is seen on camera, walking westbound on Elmwood Avenue. The package contained two Hewlett Packard ink cartridges with a combined total value of $100.00.
June 11, 2024 (North Fullerton Avenue): An employee of the US Postal Service reported that he left his postal van on North Fullerton Avenue while delivering mail. When he returned, he discovered an unknown amount of mail had been stolen. Surveillance in the area shows a male with gray shorts, plain white shirt, long black hair, and a black beard. The suspect walks from the U.S Postal van carrying a bucket full of mail/newspapers.
June 17, 2024 (Church Street): A member of Out Montclair reported that the Pride Flag that had been displayed on a pole at Church Street and Bloomfield Avenue/South Fullerton Avenue had been removed by an unknown person(s). The flag was raised on June 7, 2024 and was discovered missing on June 14, 2024. Anyone with information may contact Detective Jamar Jones at (973) 509-4705.
Criminal Mischief
June 11, 2024 (Glenridge Avenue): An employee of Caggiano Liquors reported that an individual entered the store and purchased some small items. When he was told that a bag to carry the items would cost additional, the individual became irate and threw a bottle of wine at the counter, causing it to shatter.
Motor Vehicle Theft / Carjacking
June 16, 2024 (Orange Road): The victim reported that he was making a delivery for Uber Eats in his white 2022 Toyota Camry. He stated that he parked his vehicle on the east side of Orange Road and approached a residence to make the delivery. He reported that a dark colored Kia pulled up along side his Camry. The front passenger of the Kia exited the Kia and entered the victim’s Camry. The victim ran back to his car and stood in front of it with his hands on the hood in an attempt to deter the Camry from fleeing. The Camry accelerated and fled northbound resulting in the victim being thrown from the hood of the car. Both vehicles were last seen south on Orange Road.
The suspect was described as a teenaged black male with a thin build wearing a dark color hooded sweatshirt and a purple cloth face mask. The victim was treated by Montclair EMS for lacerations to his hand. The vehicle was recovered parked and unoccupied later in the day on South Orange Avenue and Bruce Street in Newark. It was towed to Montclair PD for processing. Anyone with information can contact Detective Joe Juliano at (973) 509-4724.
Shots Fired / Arrest
June 17, 2024 (Washington Street): At approximately 9:54 PM, Montclair Police were dispatched to the area of Washington Street and New Street on a report of a Road Rage incident where one vehicle fired shots at another vehicle. Upon arrival of units to the area, the suspect vehicle had fled the scene. The victims reported that they were involved in a road rage incident with the driver of a white Tesla in which the Tesla unsuccessfully attempted to overtake the victims in their vehicle. The Tesla continued to follow the victims until they pulled over in the area of New Street and Washington Street. According to the victim, the driver of the Tesla pulled up, exited his vehicle, and brandished a handgun.
The victim stated that he attempted to drive away from the suspect at which time the suspect reportedly fired two rounds at the victim’s vehicle. One round struck the rear windshield and the second hit the rear bumper. Based on a description of the vehicle provided by the victim, Detectives were able to locate the suspect vehicle in Bloomfield, NJ.
Further investigation by Montclair Detectives/Officers and Bloomfield Police resulted in the arrest of 42-year-old Nelson Santos of Bloomfield. Santos was charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault and remanded to the Essex County Jail. This investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information can contact Detective Joe Juliano at (973) 509-4724.