Hamilton man identified after carjacking and shoplifting in Montclair Sunday, police say

A Hamilton man carjacked a woman on Glenridge Avenue Sunday, but was only identified later that day after getting caught shoplifting from the CVS on Claremont Avenue, police said.

At 5:29 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, patrol units were dispatched to the area of 209 Glenridge Avenue on a report of a strong-arm carjacking. 

A woman reported that she was seated in her 2006 Ford Taurus when an unknown male opened the driver’s side door, grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her out of her vehicle. The male then entered the woman's vehicle and fled west on Glenridge Avenue, then west on Bloomfield Avenue. The man was described as tall with a thin build, wearing a gray, hooded sweatshirt with the hood up, tight around his face. 

The woman was uninjured during the incident.

The vehicle was located unoccupied several hours later parked behind a private residence on Claremont Avenue after the resident called in a “suspicious vehicle” parked in her driveway. 

At approximately 2:45 a.m. on Monday, April 11, the manager at the CVS on Claremont Avenue reported a shoplifting in progress. Responding officers located a man inside the CVS and immediately recognized him as the man wanted in connection with the carjacking. He was placed under arrest without incident.

The 43-year-old man from Hamilton was charged with carjacking, two counts of shoplifting and refusal to submit to fingerprinting. He was remanded to the Essex County Correctional Facility.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information can contact Detective Daniel Heiser at 973-509-4724 or Detective Lisa Gutauskas at 973-509-4739.

The following additional activity has been reported by Montclair police in their weekly blotter:

THEFT

Tuesday, April 5 — A resident reported that she had four packages delivered to her Upper Mountain Avenue home but only received two. An email confirmed all packages were delivered at approximately 10 a.m. The missing packages contained $458 in Amazon and Sephora products.

Monday, April 11 — Three businesses on Valley Road reported the theft of their  American flags during the overnight hours. The reverend at Saint James Episcopal Church reported that at 4:23 a.m., two individuals were seen on surveillance cutting the lanyard on the flag pole and removing an American flag, an Episcopal flag and a Ukrainian Flag before fleeing south on Valley Road. At approximately 1:30 p.m., the manager at 480 Valley Road reported the theft of their American Flag. At 7:40 p.m., a third theft report was received. A resident reported that their American flag was stolen between midnight and 7 a.m. 

MOTOR VEHICLE CRIME

Tuesday, April 5 — A Stonehenge Road resident reported that his 2020 Infinity QX6 and his 2019 Acura TLX were both entered during the overnight hours. Both vehicles were parked in the  driveway and were reportedly unlocked. The registration cards were the only items missing.  

Tuesday, April 5 — A man reported that his 2012 Toyota Venza was stolen from in front of his Walnut Street residence. The man stated that he left the vehicle running as he entered his residence momentarily.  

Tuesday, April 5 — A resident reported that her 2018 Lexus was stolen from her Yantacaw Brook Road garage during the overnight hours. The vehicle contained her key fob and her purse. She believes that she accidentally left the garage door open. The vehicle was recovered the next day, unoccupied, in Newark. 

Tuesday, April 5 — A resident reported observing two males dressed in all  black clothing attempting to steal her vehicle on Stonebridge Road. The males retreated to a gray BMW X5 and fled the scene at a high rate of speed. Responding officers located the fleeing BMW leaving town into West Orange but did not engage in a pursuit.  

Thursday, April 7 — A Maple Avenue resident reported that her vehicle was entered between 1 p.m. and 4 a.m. The vehicle was rummaged through and a FedEx employee ID was removed. 

Thursday, April 7 — A 2019 Nissan NV2 van belonging to Montclair Laundry was stolen from in front of the Pine Street business. The van was left unattended and running in order to warm up. The van contained an unknown amount of clothing belonging to customers. The vehicle was recovered Monday, April 11 in Newark. 

Thursday, April 7 — A woman reported that her 2006 Honda CRV was entered on North Fullerton Avenue between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Missing is a pair of sunglasses and approximately $420 in cash. 

Friday, April 8 — A resident reported observing a male, 5 feet and 8 inches tall, thin build and wearing a tan shirt exit a silver Acura with temporary registration. The male walked up her neighbor’s driveway on Gordonhurst Avenue and attempted to enter her neighbor’s parked vehicles. The resident stated that she yelled to the man, “Can I help you? We lock our doors, you’re not stealing that  car.” The man returned to the silver Acura and fled the scene.

Saturday, April 9 — A man reported that his 2005 Acura RL was stolen from Bloomfield Avenue. He reported that the vehicle was unlocked with the keys inside of it.  

The police blotter is based on information provided to Montclair Local at the discretion of the Montclair Police Department, and reflects events as described by the department. It may not reflect the complete scope of police activity. Any descriptions of wrongful activity are merely allegations, and any persons mentioned in the blotter are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The MPD encourages anyone who wishes to report criminal or suspicious activity, or who has information pertaining to an ongoing investigation, to call 973-744-1234. In an emergency, residents are urged to call 911.