Motor Vehicle Crime
July 23, 2024 (Highland Avenue): The resident reported that he was in bed and received an alert that there was movement in his driveway. Upon viewing the footage, he observed an unknown male attempting to enter his 2022 BMW X2.
The suspect was unsuccessful and ran back to an awaiting dark sedan. Responding officers observed a dark Honda Accord travelling south on Highland Avenue and then east on Claremont Avenue at a high rate of speed. The vehicle eluded officers and was last seen south on Mount Prospect in Verona.
July 24, 2024 (High Street): The victim reported that his wallet was stolen from his work truck while parked on High Street. He stated that several of his credit cards were used at a Walgreens in Garfield, NJ and a 7-11 in Lodi, NJ.
July 27, 2024 (Upper Mountain Avenue): The resident reported that he was in the process of carrying groceries from his vehicle into his house. He observed an unknown male walking away from his vehicle carrying his green satchel. The suspect then entered a 2017 black Mercedes Benz wagon which was reported stolen out of Metuchen, NJ and fled north on Upper Mountain Avenue.
July 27, 2024 (North Mountain Avenue): The victim reported that she was leaving Anderson Park and observed that the front passenger side window on her vehicle was shattered. Witnesses reported that they observed a male with a bat breaking the window in an attempt to get a purse that was left inside of the car. The suspect then fled to an awaiting Ford Mustang.
Burglary / Attempted Burglary
July 28, 2024 (Clinton Avenue): The resident ( who was away) reported that he was checking past activity on his home surveillance and observed that three males had entered his residence a few days prior. The suspects appeared to have gained entry through a first-floor window. Once inside, several rooms were ransacked. Proceeds from the burglary are unknown at this time. The suspects may have been looking for keys to a Range Rover that was parked in the driveway.
July 29, 2024 (Harvard Street): The resident reported that he awoke and observed a first-floor window was open. He then discovered his white BMW X5 had been stolen from the driveway. The incident occurred between 10:30 PM and 6:00 AM.
Assault
July 30, 2024 (Claremont Avenue): The victim reported that he was walking west on Claremont Avenue when he was approached by a male requesting money. The victim refused to provide the suspect with any money. The suspect then struck the victim several times in the face and head. The victim suffered lacerations to his head and face. He was treated by Montclair EMS and transported to Mountainside Hospital. The suspect was described as a light skin black male wearing a red shirt and black pants.
Arrest
July 23, 2024 (Orange Road): Officers responded to a burglary in progress at an Orange Road residence. Upon confronting the homeowner, the suspect fled. Responding officers located the fleeing suspect and placed him under arrest. The 20-year-old Montclair resident was charged with Criminal Attempt Burglary