Crime in Montclair this week included several thefts, burglaries, and arrests–including one for suspected DWI. There were also numerous incidents of graffiti and other vandalism. Information provided by DLt. Angel Roman of the Montclair Police Department.
THEFT
On July 20, 2012 at approx. 1134 hours, officers responded to a Central Avenue address on a report of theft. The homeowner informed officers that three statues from her garden in the front of her home were stolen. The thefts occurred sometime between the night of July 15th and the morning of July 16th.
On July 24th a Wayside Place resident also reported a 3 foot tall bronze statue stolen from the front yard. The statue is of a boy holding a bat dressed in a baseball uniform and is valued at approx a $1,000.00.
WARRANT ARREST
On July 20, 2012 at approx. 1309 hours, officers on patrol observed a Toyota Scion traveling west bound on Bloomfield Avenue make an abrupt turn onto Elm Street cutting of several vehicles. A check of the license plate revealed an expired registration for the vehicle. A motor vehicle stop was conducted and the driver, who was not the registered owner, was found to have outstanding arrest warrants out of Bernards Township and Essex Fells Borough totaling $1,250.00. Twenty year old Demario Joseph of West Orange was placed under arrest and held for pick up by the aforementioned police departments.
GRAFFITI INCIDENTS
On July 20, 2012 at approx. 1404 hours, a report of graffiti was made by the Union Congretional Church at 176 Cooper Avenue. Graffiti was on the roof and written in black marker. Access appears to have been made to the roof via a fire escape.
On July 21st at approx 1118 hours police took a report of graffiti which was found on the playground area at Northeast school. Graffiti was painted in black marker.
On July 28th at approx 0013 hours, police responded a two Claremont addresses to take reports of graffiti. Both residents found graffiti painted on the front screen doors of their homes.
On July 28th at approx 1503 hours, police responded took a report of graffiti in the Fairfield parking lot.
Center parking spaces were spray painted over. Caller stated at 1200 hours parking spaces were intact.
On July 28th at report of graffiti found at the entrance of the Watchung school playground.
Anyone with information contact the juvenile aid bureau.
THEFT
On July 20th at approx. 1537 hours, officers responded to Label Street Studios on the report of a theft. The manager informed police that two cameras and accessories (value approx $1200 total) were stolen from the studio. The items, which were last seen on a studio table, were taken on July 19th. The store was locked and secured over night and there were no signs of forced entry. This led her to believe the items were stolen on the 19th as people were in and out of the studio throughout the day. Anyone with information contact Det. McCarthy at 973 509 4725.
DWI
On July 20th at approx. 2329 hours, police dispatch received a call that a black Nissan Maxima was traveling west bound on Bloomfield Avenue and appeared to have been involved in a motor vehicle accident. The caller, who wished to remain anonymous, stated the vehicle had a broken windshield and a flat tire. Officers working inside police headquarters observed the vehicle travel north on Valley Road as the vehicle passed headquarters. Moments later officers observed the vehicle parked near 80 Valley Road, with the driver slumped over the steering wheel and the vehicle still running. When the driver was approached his eyes were blood shot and an odor of alcohol emanated from his breath. When asked how he sustained the damage to his vehicle he stated a rock hit his window. An alert for possible hit and run accidents was given to surrounding towns. Glen Ridge PD advised us that the vehicle in question was wanted by their town for colliding with two signs. After failing several field sobriety tests, thirty four year old Keran Barran of Montclair was placed under arrest for suspected DWI.
BURGLARY
On July 21, 2012, at approx 0031, police responded to a Washington Street address on a report of a burglary. The homeowner informed police that he found his basement door slightly ajar. He believed he may have left if open earlier in the day when he fed his dogs. As he looked further he found his mail thrown about the floor which he said was not there when he left. Further inspecting his home he found his 37 inch Samsung television along with a playstation 3 missing from his bedroom. Many of his dresser drawers were also open and appeared to have been rummaged through. Entry was believed to have been made through the basement door between 1200 hours on July 20th and 0020 hours on July 21st. Anyone with information contact Det. Cunningham at 973 509 4716.
ARREST
On July 23rd at approx 1651 hours, police received a telephone call about a subject who had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. A clothing description was given and a subject matching the description was located in the area of Bloomfield Avenue and Gates Avenue. The subject was immediately recognized by officer as forty five year old Timothy Riddick of Montclair. Officers were aware that he in fact had an outstanding arrest warrant for theft. Mr. Riddick was taken into custody without incident.
BURGLARY
On July 26th two local auto body shops were burglarized. Montclair Collision Inc (111 Walnut St) and Alex and Leo auto body (63 North Willow St) were burglarized over night. Montclair Collision did not report any items missing; however entry was made through a ceiling window. The metal mesh window was pushed in. At Alex and Leo’s auto body shop entry was made by pushing in a piece of ply wood serving as a temporary window on the garage door. Taken were two lap top computers and two small motor pocket bikes. Several of the cars on the property were also entered. The suspect then exited by unlocking the front door. Anyone with information contact Det. Barnes or Det. Rivera at 973 509 4733.
BURGLARY
On July 26th, at approx 2241 hours, officers responded to a Locust Drive address on a report of burglary. The homeowner informed police that he and his wife had just returned home at approx 2230 hours from an evening out. His wife placed her purse on the kitchen counter and went to her office while he went upstairs. The side door was left unlocked which leads directly in to the kitchen. Moments later they heard the door slam. Initially they believed it was a family member who opened the door but after speaking to his wife and son’s they realized it was an intruder and the purse was missing. Anyone with information contact the Detective Bureau.
VANDALISM
On July 28th at approx 1026 hours police took a report from a resident of a Claremont Avenue. Resident reported having the homes cable wires cut.
On July 30th a Comcast cable employee reported three apartment buildings in the 800 block of Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair also having had cable wires cut.
On July at approx. 0748 hours, officers responded to a vandalism call in the parking lot of a Glenridge Avenue address. Eight cars were found to have damage ranging from broken windows to broken mirrors. Damage appeared to have been done over night.
ARREST
On July 30th at approx. 2328 hours, officers were dispatched to a North Fullerton Address on a burglary in progress. Officers were informed by the homeowner that he was awakened by the sound of foot steps outside his bedroom. He saw two individuals who were using flashlights in his home. The suspects ran toward the front door where they momentarily could not open the front screen door. One of the suspects dove through the bottom window screen to escape. The other escaped through a kitchen window. Officers searched the area and after a brief foot pursuit arrested the two suspects and recovered the proceeds taken from the home. Eighteen year old Tahje Glover of Newark and a seventeen year old juvenile were arrested and charged with the burglary.