The latest in Montclair crime from Lt. Scott Buehler:
On 4/21/11 at approximately 10:45 PM, police responded to a single-family residence on Eagle Rock Way on a report of an activated residential alarm. Upon arrival, police observed a portion of the gate to the fence broken from its hinges and lying on the ground. Later investigation determined that the fence may have been damaged by a suspect fleeing from the scene prior to the arrival of the police, as a rung on the fence was bent and contained a muddy imprint. Police also located an unlocked storm cellar door that led to a basement door. A small window pane on the door had been broken and the door itself was not secured.
Police checked the residence and found fresh mud on the basement carpet and kitchen floor. Police learned that the owners of the residence were on vacation and it was not known at the time of the report if anything was missing from the residence.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Joseph Anderson at 973-509-4706.
Vandalism
On 4/22/11 at approximately 10:55 AM, police responded to the Central Presbyterian Church on Park Street on a report of vandalism. Upon arrival, police spoke to an employee, who stated that the church had been vandalized sometime between 9:00 PM on the 21st and 7:30 AM on the 22nd. The employee then directed the police to three locations on the property that contained graffiti.
The walkway between the north and south was found to have “HAIL SATAN” spray painted in black. An inverted cross was found to be spray painted in black on a brick wall of the sanctuary and on the Education building. It was unclear if the vandalism was related to celebrations for Holy Thursday and Good Friday. There are no suspects at this time.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Ricky Singleton at 973-509-4722.
Theft from a Motor Vehicle
On 4/22/11 at 7:15 PM, police responded to Maple Avenue on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. Upon arrival, police spoke to the victim, who stated that he had parked his Honda Civic outside his residence on the 22nd at approximately 7:10 PM. When he returned to the vehicle approximately five minutes later, he discovered that his BlackBerry Torch, valued at approximately $200, had been taken from the dashboard of his vehicle. It is assumed that the suspect gained entry to the vehicle through the driver’s side door, which had been left unlocked prior to the theft. The victim stated that he called the missing phone and that a female answered it. The victim offered the female $15 to return the phone, but the female refused.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Terence Turner at 973-509-4724.
Vandalism to a Motor Vehicle
On 4/23/11 at approximately 3:40 PM, police were dispatched to the area of Valley Road and Normal Avenue in Upper Montclair on a report of vandalism to a motor vehicle. The victim, a Paramus resident, stated that he parked his Volkswagen on Valley Road on the 23rd at approximately 3:00 PM while he attended an event at Montclair State University. When he returned to the vehicle approximately half an hour later, he discovered that the vehicle’s driver’s side view mirror had been broken, apparently by a blunt object. In addition, the cover to the mirror had been broken off. Police also inspected a Kia that had parked behind the Volkswagen and discovered that it had similar damage. Police did not find any evidence of paint transfer that would have indicated that the vehicles had been struck by a moving vehicle. There are no suspects at this time.
Theft
On 4/24/11 at approximately 11:35 AM, police responded to Go Lightly on South Fullerton Avenue on a report of a theft. Police spoke to an employee, who stated that sometime between 5:00 PM on the 23rd and 11:30 AM on the 24th, someone had stolen the pedestal portion of an iron café table that was left outside the store. There are no suspects at this time.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Charles Cunningham at 973-509-4716.
“had been taken from the dashboard of his vehicle. It is assumed that the suspect gained entry to the vehicle through the driver’s side door, which had been left unlocked prior to the theft.”
So he left a blackberry on the dash and the car unlocked…..? Can we start to ticket these idiots for wasting the cops time?
It’s lie field of dreams – If you leave it out in the open and accessible they will take it.
I love Montclair.
Please follow up to report if the township (or its Colorado contractor) charges a false alarm fee to the Eagle Rock homeowners.
Well, why would they charge a false alarm? Cops came, found broken window and muddy footprints. (Has this kind of incident been charged as a false alarm in the past? I hope not!)
Why would the town charge? I can think of two reasons: Because they can and because they are greedy.