Montclair Police Crack Down on Drug Users, Distributors

Montclair police reported five drug arrests in the latest blotter:

Drug Arrest

On 11/16/11 at approximately 4:25 PM, police were dispatched to an apartment building on Greenwood Avenue on a report of three individuals engaged in drug activity in one of the stairwells. Upon arrival, police located three individuals. Police noticed the strong odor of burnt marijuana in the stairwell and found a blunt containing marijuana near the three individuals. Police arrested the three suspects, which consisted of Elelake Jefferson Jr., Rasheed Riley, and a seventeen year old Montclair female. Further investigation revealed that Jefferson was in possession of fourteen zip-lock bags containing marijuana and thirty-four empty zip-lock bags.

Jefferson, 18, of Montclair was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled dangerous substance within five hundred feet of public housing located at 50 Greenwood Avenue, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $7,500.

Riley, 19, of Montclair, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance. He was later released. The female juvenile was also charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and later released to a guardian.

Anyone wishing to report drug activity is asked to call 973-509-4720.

Drug Arrest

On 11/18/11 at approximately 5:15 PM, detectives were in the area of Orange Road in the South End when they observed two individuals engage in a hand exchange consistent with drug distribution. One of the males continued on Orange Road on bicycle and was detained near Rosedale Avenue while the other continued into Orange. Detectives detained the male on the bicycle, later identified as Frank Bagley. Further investigation revealed that Bagley was in possession of five zip-lock bags containing crack cocaine and a crack pipe.

Bagley, 44, of Montclair, was placed under arrest and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was later released.

Drug Arrest

On 11/19/11 at approximately 12:35 AM, police observed a Buick failing to signal a turn onto Glenridge Avenue from Grove Street. The operator then again failed to signal a turn onto Greenwood Avenue. Police stopped the vehicle and spoke to the driver, later identified as Genesis Carreras. Carreras, 19, of Newark, was placed under arrest after police learned that she had a warrant for her arrest issued by Glen Ridge, with bail set at $500. She was also issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to signal turns, driving while suspended, and failure to exhibit a valid insurance card.

Police continued their investigation when they smelled the aroma of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Further investigation led the police to speaking the vehicle’s other occupant, identified as Ibnuwenze Jenkins. Jenkins, 21, of Montclair, was placed under arrest after police discovered that he was in possession of three zip-lock bags of marijuana. Jenkins was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and later released.

Drug Arrest

On 11/20/11 at approximately 5:55 PM, police responded to Orange Road on a report of a group blocking the entrance to an apartment building. Upon arrival, police detained four individuals who were found sitting in the lobby entrance to the building. One of the individuals, identified as Justin Plaza, was placed under arrest after police learned that he had an active warrant for his arrest issued by Montclair, with bail set at $500. Further investigation revealed that Plaza was in possession of a tissue fold of marijuana. Plaza, 20, of Montclair, was placed under arrest and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Motor Vehicle Theft

On 11/16/11 at approximately 12:30 PM, police responded to the area of Valley Road and Normal Avenue in Upper Montclair on a report of a motor vehicle theft. The victim, a Newark resident, stated that she parked her Toyota Corolla in the area on that date at approximately 8:30 AM while she attended class at Montclair State University. When she returned to the area on that date at approximately 11:00 AM, she discovered that her vehicle was missing. There are no suspects at this time.

Motor Vehicle Theft

On 11/16/11 at approximately 10:05 AM, police responded to Union Street on a report of a stolen motor vehicle. The victim stated that sometime between 9/1/11 and 11/1/11, someone had stolen a white Honda XR-600 dirt bike from his garage. The vehicle has an estimated value of $2,600. There are no suspects at this time.

Shoplifting Arrest

On 11/16/11 at approximately 4:15 PM, police responded to Pathmark in the Lackawanna Plaza Mall on a report of a theft. Upon arrival, police spoke to an employee who stated that he had observed a male, later identified as Eben Goldworth, placing items in a shopping bag and exiting the store. Goldworth was found to be in possession of approximately $180 worth of stolen merchandise. Goldworth, 44, of Montclair, was placed under arrest and charged with shoplifting. Bail was set at $3,500.

Theft from a Motor Vehicle

On 11/18/11 at approximately 7:05 AM, police responded to Briar Hill Road on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. The victim stated that he parked his Ford Econoline van in a driveway on the 17th at approximately 5:00 PM. The victim is unsure if he locked the vehicle prior to the incident. When he returned to the vehicle on the 18th at approximately, he discovered that it had been rummaged through. It was unknown at the time of the report if anything was missing from the vehicle. There are no suspects at this time.

While checking the area, police located an Audi Quattro in the driveway of an Undercliff Road address that appeared to have been entered, as the driver’s side door was ajar. Police located the owner, who confirmed that a Garmin Nuvi GPS, valued at approximately $600, had been stolen from the vehicle. The Quattro had been left unlocked prior to the incident. The victim reported that the theft occurred sometime after approximately 4:00 PM on the 17th. There are no suspects at this time.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Charles Cunningham at 973-509-4716.

Burglary

On 11/18/11 at approximately 8:30 AM, police responded to a single-family residence on Essex Avenue on a report of a burglary to a garage. The victim told police that on that date at approximately 8:15 AM, he noticed that one of the garage doors was ajar. He investigated further and discovered that the door had been forcibly entered.
The victim reported that two bicycles had been stolen from the garage. The first bike is described as a twenty-one speed, silver-colored men’s Cannondale Quick 4, valued at $595. The second bike is described only as a men’s older model bicycle valued at $50. A black-colored Thule bicycle carrier valued at $50 was also taken. There are no suspects at this time.

Theft

On 11/18/11 at approximately 10:30 AM, police received a report of a theft that occurred at The Office Restaurant on 11/12/11 at approximately 3:30 PM. The victim reported that he was at the bar on that date with some friends, showing his friends and some patrons some artwork and greeting cards, valued at $300. The victim stated that he left the artwork in a plastic bag on the bar for some time while he stepped outside. It was not until later that night that he noticed that the bag was missing.
The victim later spoke to an employee at the restaurant, who advised him that the theft of the bag was captured on surveillance video. The victim stated that two possible suspects were very interested in the artwork while he was displaying it. He described the first suspect as a white male, approximately 22-26 years old, approximately 5’7”, with dark hair and a husky build. The second suspect is described as a white male, approximately 22-26 years old, approximately 5’7”, with dark hair in a very short ponytail.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Joseph Anderson at 973-509-4706.

Shoplifting

On 11/19/11 at approximately 2:40 PM, police responded to the CVS on Claremont Avenue on a report of a shoplifting incident that occurred earlier that day. Upon arrival, police spoke to an employee who stated that at approximately 0644 hours on 11/19/11 a male party entered the store, walked behind the check-out counter, and stole 5 cartons of assorted Marlboro brand cigarettes. Surveillance video captured the suspect walking behind the check-out counter and removing the cigarettes and walking out of the store with the stolen merchandise.

The suspect is described as a 40-50 year old, light skinned black or Hispanic male, approximately 5’10” in height, approximately 200 lbs, with a medium build, and a thin mustache. The suspect was also seen in the video wearing a black watch cap, blue or black “ADIDAS” shirt, blue or black pants, and a gray jacket. The jacket the suspect was wearing had patches on the left sleeve, left breast, and back. The left sleeve and left breast patches have words written on them, but are unclear in the video. The word “Allied” is partially visible on the patch on the back of the jacket.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Ray Gulbin at 973-509-4739.

Bicycle Theft

On 11/19/11 at approximately 3:25 PM, police responded to Montclair Avenue on a report of a stolen bicycle. The victim reported that her son placed his bicycle behind their garage approximately two weeks prior and discovered that it was missing on 11/18/11. The bicycle is described as a white Cannondale Trail 6 valued at $500. There are no suspects at this time.

Aggravated Assault Arrest

On 11/19/11 at approximately 11:10 PM, police responded to Mission Street on a report of an altercation with a large amount of people in the surrounding area. Shortly before this, police received a similar call on Union Street. When police arrived on Union Street, the group began to disperse, with several people running from the area. During this time, detectives observed an individual, identified as Devon Marshall Jr., leaving the area. Marshall appeared agitated and several individuals appeared to be trying to calm him. Police attempted to locate Marshall, but lost sight of him.

Upon arrival on Mission Street, the altercation had ended and groups of individuals began to flee the area. Witnesses provided a description of one of the suspects and the description matched that of Marshall which had been given earlier on Union Street. One of the officers observed Marshall fleeing the area, seen heading north on Miller Street. Police located Marshall in a driveway on Miller Street and attempted to detain Marshall to interview him regarding the altercations. Marshall refused to stop and fled south through the rear yards on Miller Street.

Another officer spotted Marshall in a nearby driveway and attempted to detain him, but Marshall responded by striking the officer in the side of the face with a closed fist, causing bruising and swelling to the face and eye. Marshall was told that he was being placed under arrest, but continued to throw punches at the officer. Four other officers responded to assist, but Marshall continued to resist even while on the ground by punching and kicking at the officers. During the altercation, one of the officers suffered an injury to a hand after being struck by a kick. Marshall was eventually placed in handcuffs. Police lifted Marshall from the ground, and he responded by spitting in the faces of two of the officers. Officers then attempted to escort Marshall to a patrol vehicle for transport, but Marshall again spat on the officers. He also continued to kick at the officers, striking three of them. Marshall was wrestled to the ground and a medical mask was placed over his mouth to prevent him from further spitting.
Once at headquarters, Marshall was placed in a cell, where he again spat in an officer’s face and began screaming obscenities. He then told one of the arresting officers, “When I get out of here, I’m going to find you, shoot you in the head, and kill you.”

Marshall, 19, of Montclair, was charged with three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, five counts of throwing bodily fluid on a law enforcement officer, terroristic threats, resisting arrest, and hindering apprehension. Bail was set at $40,000.

Shots Fired

On 11/20/11 at approximately 12:05 AM, police responded to the area of Canterbury Park on a report of possible shots fired. Upon arrival, police spoke with a Madison Avenue resident who reported that several minutes prior, she heard approximately five loud bangs, which she believed to be gunshots. Police searched the area, but found no evidence of shots fired.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Charles Cunningham at 973-509-4716.

Motor Vehicle Theft

On 11/20/11 at approximately 7:15 AM, police responded to Seymour Street on a report of a stolen motor vehicle. The victim stated that he parked his Jeep Cherokee on the street in front of his residence on that date at 12:45 AM. When he returned to the area approximately six hours later, the vehicle was missing. There are no suspects at this time.

Theft from a Motor Vehicle

On 11/20/11 at approximately 12:35 PM, police were dispatched to Stanford Place on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. The victim told police that he parked his Volvo XC60 in the driveway to his residence on the 19th at approximately 10:30 PM. When he returned to the vehicle on the 20th at approximately 10:30 AM, he noticed that the glove compartment and center console to the vehicle were ajar and their contents were strewn about the cabin of the vehicle. It is believed that the vehicle had been left unlocked prior to the incident.

The victim reported that a Garmin portable GPS, valued at approximately $300, and a chocolate-colored comforter, valued at approximately $60, had been stolen from the vehicle. There are no suspects at this time.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Terence Turner at 973-509-4724.

Vandalism to a Motor Vehicle

On 11/20/11 at approximately 11:50 PM, police responded to the Mountainside Hospital parking lot on a report of vandalism to a motor vehicle. The victim stated that she parked her Chevrolet Blazer in the lot on that date at approximately 6:30 PM. When she returned to the vehicle approximately five hours later, she discovered that all four tires had been slashed.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Adam Toops at 973-509-4717.

Bicycle Theft

On 11/21/11 at approximately 1:50 PM, police responded to Park Street on a report of a theft. The complainant stated that on 11/11/11, a family member had left his bicycle in the driveway at approximately 5:00 PM. When the family returned that night at approximately 11:55 PM, they noticed that the bicycle was gone.
The bicycle is described as a gray Bianci 21 speed bike, with an estimated value of $800. There are no suspects at this time.

Burglary

On 11/21/11 at approximately 3:05 PM, police responded to a single family residence on Carey Court on a report of a burglary. The victim told police that a family member left the house that morning at 7:20 AM. When the victim returned to the residence on the 21st at 2:30 PM, she noticed that the back door was open and a first floor window was broken.

The victim reported that a Playstation 3, valued at $200, approximately sixty PS3 video games, various clothing including a Giants jacket and jersey, two Apple iPod Touch valued at $200 each, a Canon Rebel EOS camera valued at $800, a Toshiba Satellite L500 Series laptop valued at $700, A Montclair High School 2009 class ring, a Dell Inspiron laptop valued at $1,600, a pair of gold hoop earrings, an X-Box console, and a video game for the X-Box were stolen from the residence. There are no suspects at this time.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Ray Gulbin at 973-509-4739.