Motor Vehicle Crime
September 10, 2024 (S. Mountain Ave / Union St): Officers patrolling the area of South Mountain Avenue and Union Street came upon a 2017 Honda Accord in the roadway. The vehicle was unoccupied with the engine running and had fresh damage, including a flat tire. The vehicle was determined to be a stolen vehicle from Palmer Township, PA and was subsequently impounded.
September 14, 2024 (Sutherland Road): The resident’s returned home to find that their 2021 Mercedes GLC was stolen from in front of the house. A set of keys were mistakenly left inside of the vehicle. It was recovered hours later on Hunterdon Street in Newark.
Theft
September 10, 2024 (Warren Place): The resident reported that he was alerted to motion at his front door. Upon checking his phone, he observed two individuals wearing hooded sweatshirts and gloves, removing packages from his front porch. The packages contained miscellaneous items such as shoes and clothes (valued at approximately $500). The resident then opened the door to confront the suspects, causing them to drop the last package and run towards a white sedan that was running and parked in front of the residence. One individual entered the sedan and the other ran westbound on Warren Place. The sedan also drove off westbound.
September 10, 2024 (Valley Road): The complainant reported that she accidently left her Apple iPhone at the Starbucks on Valley Road. When she returned to retrieve it, the phone was no longer there. Sher called the phone, and a male answered. The male reported that he was in Newark and would only return the phone for a cash reward.
September 11, 2024 (South Park Street): An employee of 2nd Street Clothing Store reported that a female party entered the store and shoplifted merchandise. Surveillance video shows the suspect placing and concealing a shirt and jacket in her handbag. The shirt was valued at $599.00, and the Jacket was valued at $499.00, totaling $1098.00 in proceeds. The female suspect in the video is described as a black female 20 to 30 years in age, average build, with long dark hair. She was wearing beige pants, white sneakers and a white top, with a black handbag slung over her left arm.
Indecent Exposure
September 11, 2024 (Harrison Avenue): The victim reported that an unknown male exposed himself to her while she was working inside of Campy’s Corner. She added that she was working behind the counter when a male walked into the store. Once the male entered the store, he pulled up his shirt and pulled down his pants to expose himself. After he exposed himself, the male fled the store traveling north on Harrison Ave. The suspect was described as a black male, 5'6” - 6'1” in height wearing a white T-shirt, black pants, with dreadlock hair.
Burglary
September 12, 2024 (Grove Street): Employees at Saturn Wireless reported that they were in the rear of the business when they heard a large crash near the front entrance door, which was locked at the time. Upon investigating, they observed a large piece of door frame on the floor, and an unknown male party inside the office. They yelled to the individual, who then hurriedly took a sealed cardboard delivery box that was resting on a chair and exited the business through the front door. The suspect was last seen traveling north on Grove Street, on foot. The suspect was described as a black male, late twenties, early thirties, 5’9”-6’0” tall with a stocky build. He had a beard and was wearing a matching gray hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants (hood up).
Arrests
September 10, 2024 (Orange Road): A 24-year-old male was charged with Criminal Trespass following an incident on Orange Road.
September 12, 2024 (Claremont Avenue): A 61-year-old male from Newark was charged with Shoplifting from CVS.
September 12, 2024 (Claremont Avenue): A 57-year-old male from Keansburg, NJ was charged with shoplifting from CVS.
PSA
Residents and members of the Montclair community are reminded to remain vigilant to potential online and telephone scams.
Recently, several residents have reported receiving email correspondence from an individual who purports that they have installed malware on their devices and have taken control of your computer or phone. The email will also list the victim/targets phone number, home address, or a photo of their home. All this information can be obtained with a simple Google search. The scammer will then threaten to release damaging videos and photos that they claim to have of you unless you pay them in bitcoin. This is a scam.
If a person receives an email or call, they should not provide any personal information, credit card numbers, prepaid cards, or money to the requestor, nor should they pay anyone in Bitcoin.
Don’t give out personal or financial information over the phone or by email to anyone.
Don’t pay a supposed fine by wire or gift card or bitcoin. These types of payments are hard to trace or reverse.
Don’t assume an email or call is legitimate because caller ID says so. Scammers use spoofing technology to trick caller ID.
If you feel that you have been the victim of a scam, or if you have concerns about being inappropriately contacted you may call the Montclair Police Department at (973) 744-1234.