Crime in Montclair this week included several thefts, burglaries, and arrests–including one for possession of heroin and another for possession of cocaine. As with last week, there were several incidents of graffiti and other vandalism. Information provided by DLt. Angel Roman of the Montclair Police Department.
VANDALISM/GRAFFITI
On July 30, 2012 at approx. 1521 hours, officers responded to Essex Park (41 Chestnut Street) on a report of vandalism. Officers were informed by a camp staff member that they left the park area in tact on Friday afternoon July 28th. They found all the benches turned over and damaged at 0830 on the 30th. There was also graffiti on them. They were advised by a life guard working the pool area that they observed the benches turned over on Saturday the 29th at about 0800 while out jogging.
On July 31st at approx 1219 hours, officers took a report of graffiti at a Grove Street address. Caller informed officers that sometime between 1900 hours on the 30th and 0900 on the 30th someone spray painted the north side of the building.
On July 31st at approx 1309 hours, Adara Restaurant (77 Walnut St) also reported graffiti to their building. The property was last observed clear of any graffiti on July 29th at 2200 hours.
On July 31st at approx 1350 hours, officers responded to a Willowdale Avenue address on a report of vandalism. The caller informed police that someone threw a rock through her a window in the front of the residence at approx 2300 hours the night before. The caller was watching television at the time.
On August 1st another Willowdale resident reported a similar incident also. Homeowner was at home on July 30th at approx 2000 hours when a rock was thrown through a window in the front of her home.
On August 3rd at approx 1606, police took a report of graffiti on the tunnel entrance to the brook that on Macopin Avenue. There was also graffiti on a picket fence of a property in the area and on the sidewalk as well. The graffiti was written in yellow paint.
On August 4th at 1816 hours, police took a report of vandalism to a vehicle. The vehicle owner informed officers that he parked his grey BMW 328 on the third floor of the Crescent parking deck at approx 1830 hours on August 3rd. When he returned on this date he found large key marks on the driver door and the rear driver side fender.
THEFTS
On July 30, 2012 at approx. 1537hours, officers on responded to a Grove Street address on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. Officers were informed by the caller/complainant that her purse was stolen from her friend’s vehicle. She stated the vehicle, an Audi A4 color black, was parked unlocked out in front of the residence for approx fifteen minutes. She and her friend were back and forth to the vehicle several times before noticing the purse, which contained cash and credit cards, missing. Anyone with information contact Det. McCarthy at 973 509 4725.
On July 31st at approx 1654 hours, officers took a report of a stolen cell phone at Rand Park. Caller stated that he placed his cell phone in a gym bag that was on one of the benches near the court. After he was done playing her realized his Apple iPhone 4 was missing. He stated a saw a black male approx 5’11 to 6 feet tall, medium build, early twenties, black braids, wearing a white tank top and red swim trunks sitting near his bag. The subject left in a white two door vehicle.
On July 31st at approx 1910 hours, officers took a theft report at a Central Avenue address. Caller reported a High School banner that was on the front of the home was stolen.
On August 2nd at approx 0853 hours, police took a report of a theft from a motor vehicle at Forest Street address. Officers were informed by the vehicle owner that he parked his vehicle in a parking lot on Forest Street at approx 1930 hours the night before. The vehicle was left unlocked and when he entered it this morning he found his Ray-Ban sunglasses, his Garmin GPS unit and his Sirius satellite radio unit missing.
On August 3rd at approx 1302 hours, police took a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. The vehicle owner stated he parked his vehicle in the drive way of his James Street address at approx 1900 hours the night before. The vehicle was left unlocked and when he entered the vehicle in the morning he noticed his iPod and a Verizon jet pack were missing.
On August 3rd at approx 1509 hours, police took a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. Vehicle owner stated she parked her at the corner of Chestnut Street and Midland Avenue at approx 1145 hours. The vehicle was secured but believes as she closed her trunk something may have stuck in the locking mechanism preventing the trunk from properly securing. Theft occurred within fifteen minutes of parking. Taken was a pink Coach purse which also contained a Blackberry cell phone. Anyone with information contact Det. Singleton at 973 509 4722.
On August 4th at approx 2303 hours, officers responded to a Bell Street address on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. The vehicle owner stated he parked his 2011 BMW at approx 1355 hours and went to work. When he returned he noticed his back passenger window was half way down. The window appeared to have been pried open with a paint can opener which was lying on the back seat. Taken was his Apple iPod. Anyone with information contact Det. Turner at 973 509 4724.
BURGLARIES
On July 30, 2012 at approx. 1928 hours, officers responded to a Gates Avenue address on a report of a burglary. The officers were shown a basement storage unit that had the lock pried off. The caller stated he last saw the unit locked and secured on July at approx 1900 hours. Taken were two pieces of luggage brand name Calvin Klein. Anyone with information contact Det. Cunningham at 973 509 4716.
On July 30th at approx 2204 hours, officers responded to a Mission Street address on a report of a burglary. Officers were informed by the apartment owner that she left her residence at approx 1230 hours when she returned at 1930 hours she noticed that two pairs of earrings (approx total value $950.00) were missing from her apartment. They were missing from a shelf in her apartment. The apartment door itself was unsecured but the front door to the dwelling itself was secured. Anyone with information contact Det. Turner at 973 509 4724.
On August 1st at approx 0905 hours, officers responded to a Chestnut Street address on a report of a burglary. Officers were informed by the homeowner that three high end road bikes (approx total value $13, 500.00) were stolen from his garage. The bicycle were last seen in the garage on July 31st at approx 2015 hours. Homeowner stated that at approx 2250 hours on the 31st a family member visiting from out of town stepped out to move his vehicle on to the street and as he did noticed the garage door open. When he entered the home the garage door was now closed. It was not until this morning after realizing the bikes were taken that he put together that the bikes were taken at that time. He recalled after parking his vehicle on the street that he was approached by two teenage black males who asked the time. They asked several other questions purposely stalling his return to the home giving enough time for the bikes to be taken. They were described both wearing dark clothing, one about 5’10 16-18 yrs old, the other 5’7 15-16 yrs old. Anyone with information contact the juvenile aid bureau.
ARRESTS
On August 3rd at approx 1100 hours, the Montclair Vice control unit made and arrest of a female subject found to be in possession of 8 glassine envelopes of heroin. Vice members acting on an anonymous tip set up surveillance in the area of Glenfield middle school. After observing the suspect arrive they conducted a field investigation which led to the arrest of forty eight year old Karen Ayers of Montclair. Ayers was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin on school property and possession within 500ft of a public park.
On August 4th at approx 1941 hours, the Montclair Vice control unit arrested thirty two year old Sameerah Green of East Orange for attempting to sell cocaine to an undercover officer. Recovered in the vehicle she was driving was approx 5.3 grams of cocaine that was packaged in small zip lock plastic bags.