Burglary / Attempted Burglary
March 14, 2025 (Bloomfield Avenue): At approximately 4:54 AM, Officers responded to an activated burglar alarm at The Connect Clothing Sore. Officers arrived and observed a front windowpane had been shattered. Surveillance footage shows the suspect approaching the storefront with a yellow crowbar and using it to repeatedly strike the front window glass pane of the business, causing it to shatter. It was at this time the alarm to the business was activated subsequently causing the suspect to flee north bound across Broomfield Avenue. The suspect was unable to enter the store.
March 14, 2025 (Lackawanna Plaza): Officers responded to Genevieve's Exclusive Vintage Collection on a report of a shattered front window. Surveillance video shows the suspect arrive at the store at approximately 3:00 AM. The suspect is described as a light skinned (unknown race) male suspect wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt with the hood up, and a black mask covering most of his face. The suspect utilized a yellow crowbar to break the glass and make entry. An employee on scene at the time of the report estimated that the suspect was able to take over $20,000 worth of merchandise
Arrests
March 16, 2025 (Valley Road): A 55-year-old female from Newark was charged with Shoplifting from Acme on Valley Road.
March 17, 2025 (Bloomfield Avenue): At approximately 8:30 PM, East Orange Police alerted Montclair Police that they were in pursuit of a stolen vehicle and were entering Montclair. The vehicle, a 2017 Hyundai Elantra, was pursued but became disabled in the area of Gates Avenue and Bloomfield Avenue where the suspects fled. Three juveniles from East Orange were apprehended in the parking lot of 292 Bloomfield Avenue. A fourth juvenile, a 13-year-old male from East Orange, was located hiding in the bushes of a residence on Union Street. All four juveniles were turned over to the East Orange Police Department.