Burglary

On 10/18/10 at approximately 11:55 AM, police responded to a single family residence on Manor Court on a report of a burglary in progress. Entry was apparently gained through a first floor window on the rear deck. The victim, who was not home at the time of the incident, reported that a Bose radio CD player valued at $700, a Mac laptop computer and charger valued at $2000, and two iPods with a total value of $400 had been stolen from the residence. Essex County K-9 units responded to the scene, but no suspect was located.
Police later spoke to two people in the area of Manor Court. One witness stated that at approximately 11:30 AM, a suspicious male was seen loitering on Manor Court. This male was described as a dark-skinned black male, 5’8”-5’9”, in his early twenties. He was last seen wearing a dark colored baseball cap with a red brim and white lines, and dark colored sweatpants or jeans.
Another witness reported that a suspicious male ran through her yard. When asked why he was running through the neighborhood, the suspect said, “Your dog was running me.” This male was later observed on the victim’s deck. The male is described as a black male with a dark complexion and an African accent, approximately forty years old. He was last seen wearing a baseball cap, blue jacket, baggy jeans, a white shirt, and blue sneakers.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Ricky Singleton at 973-509-4722.

Arrest

On 10/17/10 at 3:20 PM, police detained a man after seeing him ride a bicycle in the area of the South End stores. The man fit the description provided of a suspect in a burglary that had occurred earlier in the day. He was placed under arrest after it was learned that he was providing false information to the police regarding his identity. The suspect was charged with hindering apprehension and later released.

Burglary

On 10/18/10 at approximately 7:45 PM, police were dispatched to a single-family residence on Alexander Avenue on a report of a burglary that had occurred. The victim reported that she had left the residence on that date at approximately 8:30 AM. When she returned that date at approximately 4:15 PM, she discovered that some dresser drawers had been opened and there were items lying on her bed.
The victim stated that a silver and turquoise Navajo bracelet valued at $350, a silver Tiffany bracelet valued at $200, an alligator print watch band valued at $150, and approximately $200 in miscellaneous jewelry had been taken from her bedroom. In addition, a purple iPod Nano valued at $150 had been stolen from another bedroom.
Entry to the residence may have been gained to an unlocked rear door and there were no signs of forced entry to the residence.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Terence Turner at 973-509-4724.

Burglary
On 10/12/10 at approximately 1:25 PM, police responded to an apartment on New Street on a report of a burglary. The landlord stated that he had received a call the previous night from a tenant, who said that her son had heard a loud banging sound coming from the hallway. When he looked through the door’s peephole, he saw a male banging on the door of a nearby apartment. The tenant did not notify police at that time. The landlord was not available to check the apartment until the 12th, and discovered that the door to the apartment was slightly ajar. When the landlord entered the apartment, he discovered that the apartment was in disarray. Furthermore, the landlord stated that the door was damaged in a manner that was consistent with it having been kicked in.

Police later spoke to the victim, who had been unaware that the apartment had been burglarized. It was unknown if anything had been stolen from the apartment. Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Terence Turner at 973-509-4724.

Theft from a Motor Vehicle
On 10/14/10 at approximately 1:35 PM, police were dispatched to a multi-family residence on Willard Place on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. The victim stated that she parked her Nissan Altima in the property’s driveway on 10/12/10 at approximately 10:00 PM. When she returned to the vehicle, a Nissan Altima, on 10/14/10 at approximately 1:30 PM, she discovered that a Tom Tom GPS system, valued at $200, and an undetermined amount of loose change had been stolen from the vehicle’s console. The victim stated that the vehicle had been locked prior to the theft, but police were unable to locate any evidence of forced entry to the Nissan. There are no suspects at this time.

Theft from a Motor Vehicle
On 10/15/10 at approximately 11:55 AM, police were dispatched to Forest Street on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. The complainant stated that he parked a Pontiac Sunfire in the property’s rear lot on 10/14/10 at approximately 7:30 PM. When he returned to the vehicle the following morning at approximately 10:30 AM, he discovered that there was a large gash to the rear passenger’s portion of the convertible rooftop and a smaller slit in the top above the passenger’s side door. The victim reported that a black Sony portable DVD player had been stolen from the vehicle. The victim further stated that on 10/14/10 at approximately 11:30 PM, he saw a light outside the apartment building for a prolonged period of time. He said that the light appeared to be consistent with a flashlight, rather than a set of headlights. Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Joseph Anderson at 973-509-4706.

Theft from a Motor Vehicle
On 10/16/10 at approximately 9:5 AM, police were dispatched to Willowdale Avenue on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. The victim stated that he parked his Ford Escape on Willowdale Avenue on 10/15/10 at approximately 7:00 PM. When he returned to the vehicle approximately five hours later, he discovered that there were papers on the vehicle’s floor. He reported that a GPS, valued at $300, and various identification cards were stolen from the vehicle. The vehicle had been left unlocked prior to the theft. There are no suspects at this time. Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Brian Fazio at 973-509-4730.

Arrests
On 10/16/10 at approximately 4:30 PM, police responded to an Upper Montclair office complex on Park Street on a report of a possible disturbance. Upon arrival, police spoke to the victim, who stated that she observed a group of juveniles in the parking lot prior to calling the police. She then said that she saw one member of the group in the rear seat of her Toyota Camry, looking through the vehicle, while another three juveniles surrounded the car. The victim approached the vehicle and was confronted by a heavy set black female juvenile, who raised her arm with a closed fist, as if she was going to strike the victim. The victim yelled at the group, telling them that she was going to call the police. The group then split up, with some running on Park Street, while the others fled towards Bruce Road.

After the group fled, the victim discovered a camouflage-colored canvas bag on the side of the building. She retrieved the bag and brought it inside her business, while locking the building’s doors. Moments later, she heard knocking at the doors and discovered that it was the same group asking that she return the bag. The victim did not open the door and the group left the area. She later turned the bag over to police and it was learned that the bag contained several portable GPS units. The victim then checked her vehicle and reported that it did not appear that anything was missing.

Shortly thereafter, police detained a group of juveniles in the area of Oakcroft Avenue and Brookfield Road. It was learned that three of the juveniles were outside the rear of the office building at the time of the incident. Two fifteen year old Montclair males and a fifteen year old Upper Montclair male were all placed under arrest and charged with criminal trespass. They were later turned over to their parents. Anyone with further information regarding the thefts is asked to contact Detective Brian Fazio at 973-509-4730.

Burglary Arrests
On 10/16/10 at approximately 10:05 PM, police responded to a multi-family residence on Maple Avenue on a report of a burglary in progress to a vacant dwelling. Upon arrival, police spoke to the complainant, who stated that he observed a red motor vehicle park in front of the residence and watched as several individuals enter the residence through the rear door. Shortly thereafter, a loud bang was heard coming from the vacant second floor apartment.

Police entered the apartment and located Justin Plaza, 19, of Montclair, Gregory Grant, 18, of Newark, Jordan Hooks, 18, of Orange, and Chelsie Smith, 18, of Montclair. Police also found damage to the second floor’s door and door frame, specifically splintering of the wood around the door frame and lock. All four suspects were placed under arrest and charged with burglary and criminal mischief. In addition, Grant was found to have a warrant out of Montclair, with bail set at $1000. Smith was also found to have a warrant out of Montclair, with bail set at $750. Bail for the burglary and criminal mischief charges was set at $10,000 for each of the suspects. Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Joseph Anderson at 973-509-4706.

Theft from a Motor Vehicle
On 10/17/10 at approximately 3:10 AM, police were dispatched to Orange Road on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. The victim stated that he parked his Mitsubishi Diamante in front of his residence on 10/16/10 at approximately 5:00 PM. When he returned to the vehicle on 10/17/10 at approximately 2:40 AM, he discovered that the vehicle was unlocked and silver portable Sirius radio valued at $100 and an EZ Pass had been stolen from the vehicle. There were no signs of forced entry to the vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Adam Toops at 973-509-4717.

Theft from a Motor Vehicle
On 10/17/10 at approximately 5:40 PM, police were dispatched to a single family residence on Hawthorne Place on a report of found property. Upon arrival, police spoke to the caller, who stated that she had located a brown bag with blue straps in shrubbery on her property. Upon inspecting the contents of the bag, police were able to locate its owner, a Newton resident who was visiting a family member on Hawthorne Place.

Police returned the bag to the owner, who directed the police to her Volkswagen. The recovered bag had been stolen from the vehicle, which had been left unlocked prior to the theft. She further stated that a Montclair University parking permit, valued at $250, had been stolen from the vehicle. There are no suspects at this time.

Theft from a Motor Vehicle
On 10/17/10 at approximately 9:20 PM, police were dispatched to Orange Road on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. The victim stated that she parked her vehicle in the rear lot of the apartment building’s complex on 10/17/10 at approximately 4:00 PM. When she returned to the vehicle at approximately 8:55 PM, she noticed that the vehicle’s center console had been opened. The victim reported that an HP Pavillion laptop valued at $1200, an Akribos Skeleton watch valued at $175, and a GPS unit valued at $30 had been stolen from the vehicle. The vehicle had been left unlocked prior to the theft. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Adam Toops at 973-509-4717.

Suspicious Activity
On 10/18/10 at approximately 4:45 AM, police were dispatched to a multi-family residence on Maple Avenue on a report of suspicious activity. The caller reported that a family member had woken up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom when he noticed what appeared to be a black male wearing a blue skull cap and a brown sweatshirt looking through the bathroom window.

The family member told police that the suspect stared at him through the window until he yelled, “What are you doing?” at the suspect. The suspect then fled the area. The family member then went outside to look for the suspect and discovered a plastic garbage can placed on top of a storage container that was directly underneath the bathroom window. Entry was not gained to the residence. Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Joseph Anderson at 973-509-4706.

Arrest
On 10/17/10 at approximately 8:55 PM, police responded to Valley Road on a report of suspicious activity. Upon arrival, police spoke to the caller, who said that she had been followed since noon by an individual. She further stated that she first observed the male standing on the corner of Valley Road and Bellevue Avenue. The male stared at her and walked to her as she unloaded items from her vehicle. The male offered to help her with her items, but was refused. The male then walked south on Valley Road, but continued to stare at her. The victim stated that she did not know this male prior to this incident.

The victim stated that she looked out her window several times throughout the day and observed the same male outside her building, staring at her window. She also said that at approximately 8:30 PM, she observed the male outside her residence, knocking on her door. She did not answer the door and the male subsequently left the building, walking south on Valley Road.

Police later detained Rauf Osman, 37, of Clifton, on Valley Road after he matched the provided description. Osman was placed under arrest and charged with criminal trespass and harassment. Bail was set at $1000. Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Ricky Singleton at 973-509-4722.

Burglary
On 10/18/10 at approximately 9:50 AM, police were dispatched to a single family residence on Alexander Avenue on a report of a burglary. The victim stated that she had left her residence that morning at approximately 8:25 AM. When she returned approximately an hour later, she noticed damage to the rear door of the house, with the door’s dead bolt found on the ground.

Further investigation revealed that several drawers in the first floor kitchen had been opened, with approximately $200 taken from one of the drawers. It also appeared that the suspect entered several of the bedrooms. A jewelry holder was emptied, with some jewelry possibly stolen. There are no suspects at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Detective Bureau at 973-509-7543.

Theft from a Motor Vehicle
On 10/18/10 at approximately 10:25 AM, police were dispatched to Fairfield Street on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle in progress. The complainant stated that he had observed a juvenile exiting the complainant’s Toyota Camry, get on a black BMX style bicycle and flee north towards Watchung Avenue.
The victim confirmed that approximately $5 in change had been taken from the vehicle’s center console. The vehicle had been left unlocked prior to the theft.
The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male, approximately thirteen years old. He was last seen wearing a gray, hooded sweatshirt and red pants while carrying a pink backpack.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact the Juvenile Aid Bureau at 973-509-4733.

Burglary Attempt
On 10/18/10 at approximately 10:40 AM, police were dispatched to a single family residence on High Street on a report of an attempted burglary. The complainant stated that he was inside the residence when he heard a loud crash coming from outside. When he went to investigate, he discovered that a patio door in the rear of the house had been shattered, with a hammer found resting near the door. No entry was gained to the residence by the suspect.

Essex County K-9 units were requested and later tracked from the residence to the area of Whittlesey Avenue and Cherry Street in West Orange before terminating the tracking. A witness later told police that he had observed a male running in the area of Amelia Street and Fremont Street. This male is described as a black male, approximately 6’0”, in his mid 20s, last seen wearing a dark colored ball cap, a black hooded jacket, blue jeans, and carrying a gray backpack with faded orange stripes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Detective Bureau at 973-509-7543.

Lt. Scott Buehler
Montclair Police Department

Related Posts:

• (More) Trouble at Heart Breakers
• Putting the Brakes on Texting While Walking
• Montclair Police Issue Report on Wellmont Incident