The latest in crime from Lt. Scott Buehler, including crime involving teens and tweens on Friday afternoon in Upper Montclair and near Watchung Plaza as well as another robbery reported on 9/18 that occurred 9/9 — also a Friday afternoon:
Weapons Arrests
On 9/16/11 at approximately 3:10 PM, police were dispatched to Bellevue Avenue in Upper Montclair on a report of an armed robbery involving a knife. Upon arrival, police spoke to the victim, an eleven year old Montclair female. The female stated that she loaned a dollar to a friend, approximately a week ago. When she saw him in the area, she asked that he return her dollar, and the male refused. She then tapped another friend, a twelve year old Montclair male, on the shoulder and asked him to ask the friend for the dollar back. The twelve year old male stated that she would not assist her, so the victim began to walk east on Bellevue Avenue.
Shortly thereafter, the victim was approached by a thirteen year old Montclair male, who stated that he was a friend of the twelve year old male. The thirteen year old demanded that the victim apologize for hitting the twelve year old male on the shoulder. When the victim refused, the thirteen year old male pulled a knife from his pocket and extended the blade. The victim and a friend fled the scene and ran into a business on Bellevue Avenue.
While on scene, police spoke to the thirteen year old male, who stated that he had received the knife from the twelve year old male. The twelve year old male was located in a nearby parking lot. An approximately five inch long silver-colored knife was found in the twelve year old male’s pocket.
The twelve year old male and the thirteen year old male were both placed under arrest. The thirteen year old was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He was later remanded to the Essex County Youth House. The twelve year old was charged with charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. He was later turned over to a guardian.
Robbery
On 9/16/11 at approximately 5:55 PM, police received a report of a robbery that occurred on 9/13/11 between 4:15 PM and 4:30 PM in front of a convenience store on Watchung Avenue in Upper Montclair. The victim, an eleven year old Upper Montclair male, stated that he and another friend were in front of the store when they were approached by two males. The first male is described as a thirteen year old black male, while the second is described as a black male approximately thirteen years old, tall, with a skinny build and last seen wearing a Cleveland Indians baseball cap.
The victim stated that the first suspect demanded money. When the victim stated that he did not have any money, the first suspect stated that he heard change in the victim’s pockets when the victim was walking. The victim stated that he was nervous and that the pair then surrendered four $1 bills and four quarters to the suspects before leaving the area.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Brian Fazio at 973-509-4730.
Robbery
On 9/18/11 at approximately 7:50 PM, police received a report of a robbery that occurred on Bellevue Avenue in front of Tinga on 9/9/11 between approximately 2:15 PM and 2:30 PM. Two juvenile males stated that they were with a friend in front of that location when they were approached by another juvenile. This juvenile, described as a black male between approximately fourteen and fifteen years old with a black Mohawk and standing between 5’9” and 5’10” tall, told the group, “Give me money. I need money.” He then told the victims that he would not let them pass unless they gave him money, and then threatened to stab one of the victims in the back of the neck.
The suspect then picked up one of the victims and pushed him against a wall while checking the victim’s pockets for money. The victim left the area after he realized that the victim had no money.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact the Juvenile Aid Bureau at 973-509-4733.
Theft from a Motor Vehicle
On 9/17/11 at approximately 7:50 AM, police responded to New Street on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. The victim stated that he parked his silver Ford pickup truck in front of his residence on the 16th at approximately 7:00 PM. When he returned to the vehicle the following morning at approximately 7:30 AM, he discovered that someone had stolen a black Husky heavy duty tool case, valued at $300, from the open truck bed. The victim stated that the case contained several thousand dollars worth of electrical contracting tools. Furthermore, the loaded case possibly weighed over two hundred pounds, and the victim believes that at least two people would have been required to lift and move the case. There are no suspects at this time.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact Detective Terence Turner at 973-509-4724.
Burglary Arrest
On 9/12/11 at approximately 6:05 AM, police responded to New Calvary Church on Maple Avenue on a report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, police spoke to the complainant, who stated that he opened the church for Morning Prayer at 6:00 AM and heard a noise coming from the second floor. He went upstairs to investigate and found the computer room to be in disarray. He then saw a male running alongside the church on Elmwood Avenue, carrying a video camera and a tripod stand. A check of the property revealed that a Macintosh computer, valued at $650, and a video camera and tripod stand, valued at $600, had been stolen.
As a result of an ongoing investigation, detectives identified Larry Cousins as the suspect in this incident. Though Cousins was not yet in custody, he was charged on 9/16/11 with burglary and theft of movable property. Bail was set at $45,000.
On 9/17/11 at approximately 3:10 PM, an off-duty Montclair detective observed Cousins walking in the area of Elm Street and Union Street and notified police dispatch. The detective observed Cousins looking into the first floor window of a Union Street residence and walking up the front to the property’s enclosed porch and again looking in a window. Cousins was then observed looking up and down the street before attempting to open the front door to the residence.
Police arrived on scene and detained Cousins. Further investigation revealed that Cousins was in possession of an orange-handled screwdriver. Cousins, 62, of Newark, was additionally charged with possess of burglary tools and criminal trespass. Bail for these charges was set at $2,500.
Theft
On 9/17/11 at approximately 5:30 PM, police responded to North Mountain Avenue in Upper Montclair on a report of a stolen bicycle. The victim stated that he was visiting a friend and left his bicycle leaning against the steps to his friend’s residence on that date at approximately 4:30 PM. When he returned approximately half an hour later, he discovered that the bicycle was missing.
The bicycle is described as a white Diamond Viper X, with “Viper X” written in red on the frame. The bicycle is valued at $200. Anyone with further information is asked to contact the Juvenile Aid Bureau at 973-509-4733.
Shoplifting Arrest
On 9/17/11 at approximately 5:50 PM, police responded to the Pathmark in the Lackawanna Plaza Mall on a report of a shoplifting. Upon arrival, police spoke to an employee who informed them that he had observed a fifteen year old Montclair female attempting to leave the store with what was later discovered to be over $160 in unpaid merchandise. This merchandise was concealed in a canvas bag. The juvenile was placed under arrest and charged with shoplifting.
Burglaries
On 9/18/11 at approximately 3:45 PM, police responded to an apartment building on Gates Avenue on a report of a burglary. The victim stated that sometime between 9/11/11 and 9/18/11 at approximately 3:40 PM, someone had stolen a bicycle from the building’s basement. Once inside the basement, the suspect was able to access the victim’s storage unit by cutting the latch to the lock that secured the area. The bicycle is described as a brown and white Columbia with flower decals and is valued at $400. There are no suspects at this time.
On that same date at approximately 5:00 PM, police received a similar complaint from that same address. The victim reported that someone had also cut the latch to the lock on her storage unit during the same time frame as reported by the first victim. The second victim reported that a beige Huffy Beach Cruiser valued at $300 was stolen from her storage area. There are no suspects at this time.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact the Juvenile Aid Bureau at 973-509-4733.
Stolen Motor Vehicle Recovery
On 9/15/11 at approximately 3:50 PM, police responded to Munn Street on a report of a stolen motor vehicle. The victim, a Staten Island, New York resident, stated that she parked her white Ford Fusion in a parking lot on that date at approximately noon. She returned to the area at approximately 3:40 PM and discovered that the vehicle was missing.
On 9/18/11 at approximately 7:00 PM, police received notification from the Newark Police Department that the vehicle had been recovered within their jurisdiction. There are no suspects at this time.
Arrest
On 9/18/11 at approximately 8:40 PM, a Montclair Township Animal Control Officer, identified as Christopher Arana, responded to Mission Street on a report of an injured cat. Upon completion of that call, Arana contacted police dispatch and notified personnel that the front window to the township vehicle that he had been utilizing had been smashed. Arana further stated that he had seen kids in the area, but they had fled. Desk personnel notified Arana that police would be responding to his location, but he declined and stated that he would respond to headquarters to file a report.
At around this time, police learned that a Ford vehicle had earlier been seen speeding on Grafton Avenue in Newark. A witness reported seeing a large group surrounding the vehicle, which had its lights and sirens activated. The group surrounding the vehicle was described as “hostile.”
Police contacted Newark Police, who reported that a “police type” vehicle had been reported to have been driving recklessly with lights and sirens activated in the areas of Grafton Avenue, Mount Prospect Avenue, 2nd Avenue, and Broadway. Newark Police provided Montclair Police with the registration information regarding this vehicle, which showed to be the same Ford Crown Victoria that Arana was operating at the time of his report on Mission Street.
Police relayed this information to Arana, who then stated that he had brought the vehicle to a parade in Newark. While at the parade, someone had thrown rocks at the vehicle. Police inspected the vehicle and discovered two areas of damage to the windshield, scratches to the hood, and fresh damage to the front passenger’s side of the vehicle.
Arana, 22, of Newark, was placed under arrest and charged with filing a false report with a law enforcement agency. He was also issued a motor vehicle summons for driving while suspended. Bail was set at $2,500. No other information is available at this time.
Suspicious Activity
On 9/18/11 at approximately 9:45 PM, police responded to a multi-family residence on Claremont Avenue on a report of an individual on a porch. Upon arrival, police spoke to the caller, who stated that on that date at approximately 9:40 PM, she opened her apartment door which leads to a common porch shared with a fellow resident. At that time, the caller observed an individual, described as a black male, 5’8” to 5’11” tall, and wearing a black baseball hat and a black jacket, standing on the porch and looking into the door to a nearby apartment.
The victim stated that she was startled and yelled. The male then left the area and was last seen walking onto Greenwood Avenue. Police spoke to neighbors, who stated that they were not expecting visitors.
Montclair is going to the dogs. I checked both Maplewood & Millburn crime report. Hardly anything. A coup-le shoplifters , an atempt to steal a honda.
Animals
Wow. Montclair sure is a special place. Sure the taxes are exorbitant and the services mediocre, but we can look forward to the possibility that someday, our child can become a crime victim too.
Wow.. who is letting their 11 and 12 year-olds hang around on the street unsupervised after school anyway? Maybe I am naive, but it seems a little young. I hope parents will heed these two episodes and realize that word has gotten out that there are easy marks in these areas after school.. have your kids hang out somewhere there is supervision or at a friend’s house. This is not Mayberry… it’s still urban Essex county.. Upper or no.
Come on. Look on the bright side of all of this juvenile crime. The poorer youth of Montclair has figured out a way to reduce the income gap that doesn’t cost us taxpayers a single shiny penny.
Terrible. This kind of out of control behavior demands a…..
color-coded strategic plan flow chart?
Baristas,
Curious: why do you only publish the Police Blotter for Montclair? Surely if this is an “authentically local” website that covers multiple towns, you would want to inform readers of crimes that occur in Bloomfield, Maplewood, South Orange, Glen Ridge, etc.
Do you have some special arrangement with other towns to not publish crimes?
The majority of crimes in Maplewood & South Orange are stolen cars (expecially hondas, as they are easy to steal for entry-level thieves),
stolen lawn furniture in season, and break-ins during summer months with open 1st floor windows. There is no “gang activity” ~ On the South Orange/Newark boundry there has been a more crimes than in the past, this summer. But again, not gang related. Most of the “Bad Guys” are caught on cameras around specific areas. Most of the bad guys are in their 20s. You do not see or hear of 12,13,14 year olds with guns nor violent acts.
I just moved to downtown Montclair in April. Always loving Montclair, I looked forward to taking walks often and enjoying the downtown area. But as a female, I’m afraid to do that alone, which really gets to me. (Can I carry mace or is that considered a concealed weapon??)
Did anyone see that ‘superhero’ movie with Rain Wilson? We need one of those guys… someone to beat the crap outta people who think they can do this without consequence. I hope they try to mug me on a day where I’m feeling especially angry. I know violence doesn’t solve anything, but someone’s gotta put some fear into these kids.
(And please don’t take this the wrong way. I’ve never physically harmed anyone, but you gotta wonder… if kids were more afraid of getting burnt by their ‘victims’, maybe they wouldn’t keep up with this crap??)
PS- Why am I ALWAYS late to the party? I move to Montclair and places are shut down, the cafe is closing, crime is going up… I’m sure it’s all just a sign of the times (of recession), but I can’t help but wanna put up a sign out my window that just says ‘WTF’ in huge-a** letters.
Caterwaul80 — it is one thing to “love” downtown Montclair when you are just in and out of restaurants and shops during the day, but if you really knew more about the area, you would not have looked forward to night time walks alone .. This is an interesting realty-oriented website that uses FBI Uniform reports to create a map of “safer” and “not as safe” areas within Montclair. Also, the data tells me what I already know.
“The crime rate in Montclair is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 22 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Montclair is 1 in 46. Based on FBI crime data, Montclair is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to New Jersey, Montclair has a crime rate that is higher than 68% of the state’s cities and towns of all sizes.”
http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/nj/montclair/crime/#data
Ummm, c’mon guys…
Is this the “update” coming from the “call” in to Montclair Police regarding the hysterical (and fear-mongering) headline from FRIDAY: “Developing: Arrest(s) After Juvenile Knife Incident in Upper Montclair”??
There, the comments were “closed” and those referring to the details of “removed.” (see for yourself: http://www.baristanet.com/2011/09/developing-kids-arrested-after-pulling-knife-in-upper-montclair/#comments)
I was under the impression that reporters and news folks heard of an incident, gathered facts and reported them. That is not what happened here, despite declaring that an “update” would be provided.
Next time, just wait till the cops release the info….. Otherwise it is, as ROC said, fear mongering (his comment was removed).
(Though this does fit into the meme Deb has for Baristaville that crime is going UP, UP, UP. Despite statistics that say otherwise.)
Interesting link saepst. Thanks. This should disabuse some of the perpetual apologists, such as “relax people” from quoting their famiiar, “It’s the same everywhere, but they only publish the stats for Montclair” mantra. It’s not the same in other towns, end of story. What is alarming is the seemingly increasing frequency of violent crime perpetrated by young thugs on young victims. This should be dealt with severely, while there is time to set these misguided individuals straight.
I myself had an interesting conversation with one of the local urchins last week in the vicinity of Fortunato field and Clary Andersen Arena. The young man approached me and insisted that I give him some money. He took umbrage when I laughed at him, but since he probably sensed the fact that I would have gladly beaten him senseless if he had persisted in his demands, he scooted off into the darkness cursing loudly. If by chance, the encounter had been with a child, the outcome probably would have been different. I don’t like being threatened in my community.
I was curious, so I looked. I realize this is unofficial, but I don’t have time to search for more reliable information. Perhaps someone else knows where to find more recent and “official” numbers? I don’t see much difference between Maplewood and Montclair.
Maplewood: http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/new-jersey/maplewood-township.html
Montclair: http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/new-jersey/montclair.html
Glen Ridge has a better index, and obviously the actual numbers are lower because fewer people live there: http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/new-jersey/glen-ridge.html
One of these thugs tried to break into my Civic in broad daylight last year. As I left Ruthie’s with my take out order for my fantasy football draft, I saw a young punk checking to see if my car doors were locked. As I approached him, I told him to get the ‘F’ away from my car. He responded by mumbling, “My bad, my bad.” He then casually walked past me to meet up with one of his thug friends. I told him that I had already called the cops. They then ran pretty quickly out of site. This is a 100% true story.
I posted this on another thread here regarding Deb’s belief that crime is going up.
(This doesn’t address whether at its current rate Montclair’s crime rate is higher or lower than other communities.)
http://www.city-data.com/city/Montclair-New-Jersey.html
For years: 1999/20009
Robberies 49/48
Rape 7/1
Assaults 74/40
Theft 794/352
According to this, crime is down in the last 10 years. Despite screaming headlines to the alternative.
@saepst, these are not two episodes and there are plenty of parents who leave their kids to roam the streets at all hours. If you read the blotter regularly, you’ll see that kids are being beaten up and robbed at Watchung Plaza pretty much on a daily basis. Some of the local mothers are even thinking of setting up a patrol in the evenings just to deter the predators.
Saepst- That’s somewhat of a pretentious comment… “if you really knew more about the area”… of course I don’t know more about the area. I never lived here until now, and I didn’t already know anyone from here! Why would I assume it’s particularly unsafe? I suppose I could’ve done some better research on that, but my move to Montclair wasn’t based on how safe it was or wasn’t.
Of course if I had heard it was as bad as Newark or Paterson I wouldn’t have moved here. But I also know it’s not just “Montclair” as a whole, but where in town you live. There is definitely more crime in certain areas… though I am surprised to hear of more crime happening in the nicer neighborhoods.
I used to live in Elmwood Park, on the opposite side of the river as Paterson, and there was much less crime there…
Can we start a neighborhood watch that includes the downtown area? We should take back the streets of Montclair. How can we let a few a**holes take away the freedom and sense of peace for the majority of us??
Baristas,
Really, no comment?
Deadeye,
I’m the farthest from an “apologist” for Montclair. I have continuously urged the Police to park a car on Mission/New Streets and simply wait for the drug deals to occur, as they do every single day and night of the year…
But let’s get a grip. Overall crime is down (see prof’s data). But the Baristas choose to publish every single crime that occurs in Montclair. Every. Single. Crime. Why not for Bloomfield? Maplewood? South Orange?
And Sandy,
If you don’t think there’s crime in South Orange and Maplewood beyond a few car thefts, you haven’t been to those towns as of late, with flash mobs making national headlines, or incidents like this:
http://forum.maplewoodonline.com/vc/discussion/comment/1679227#Comment_1679227
South Orange and Maplewood are in the same general sphere as MTC. S.O borders Orange and Vailsburg, and shares a high school with Maplewood. Drive out Orange Road toward S.O. and you will go through some rough areas once you leave MTC’s south end. Once you get to Millburn and points west, things tend to get more traditionally suburban. The schools are better, there is less crime, town governance is better, the taxes are lower, but you will pay more for less house. BTW, all of those things are correlated.
Yes, “relax-people” I know about that crime. I read it in the twin towen’s paper. A terrable crime, indeed – but…. that was the sole crime of the week, between a town of 25,000 and a town of 30,000, for a total of 55,000 residents. If I can recall, in addition, a couple Toyos were stolen, and 2 home break-ins. Maplewood parks are to be closed at dark, and it is so posted, all over. 99% obey that law. The Dope-heads go in there to smoke & do drugs after dark. Others of their peers are joining them, but not to do drugs, but rather to beat the others up and steal their cell phones, drugs and money. This would not happen if group one obeyed the signs. Nothing new, Maplewood parks have always been closed, at dark since the early 1960s. Until recently, everyone obeyed the posted law.
@caterwaul80 ::
The citydata site is a really helpful resource for checking your impressions against. The data is from 2009, so that’s a weakness, but it can help you gauge relative safety. Here are links (again, repeating Kristin’s post above) for the three municipalities that everyone seems to be talking about here:
http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/new-jersey/elmwood-park.html
http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/new-jersey/montclair.html
http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/new-jersey/maplewood-township.html
In the case of the Elmwood Park / Montclair comparison you make above, it appears that the “property crime” rate in Elmwood Park is significantly higher than Montclair’s (the *rate* is indicated in the bar graphs in the center of the page; absolute numbers are on the right hand side of the page), while the ‘violent crime’ rate is about half of Montclair’s.
And the Maplewood rates, both property and violent crime, are higher than Montclair’s.
Sooooo, Sandy,
Given the hard data willjames cites, are you ready to pull back from your posts above?
OK, all other issues aside, my two cents are:
(1) Does this mean I cannot walk around town with a screwdriver in my jeans pocket? Or am I in the clear as long as I don’t attempt to pry open someone’s door?
(2) I find it particularly heinous to see that 12 year olds are attacking 11 year olds. YES I know it has happened since the dawn of time. Hubby tells a story of being 8 years old walking home from Immaculate and being jumped and knocked off his bike, all those years ago. But still, very upsetting. And while I agree with the poster above that young’uns should have something productive to do after school, even if it is just playing with the neighbors, these kids might well have simply walking home. Sad – they can’t even get home without fear?
Nope! I do not beliueve it…..because I get the Montclair paper, the Bloomfield paper and the South Orange / Maplewood paper, and I always read the “Crime Blotter” and 7 papers outta 10, Montclair has more crimes than Maplewood, BUT….BIG BUT…. maybe Maplewood / South Orange do NOT print everything?? !! That I don’t know…anything is possible. I only know what I read.
Okay here’s the real deal from the parent who’s kid was the victim: Kids go to middle school – they want to go ” hang out” on Friday after after school as I am sure a great number of adults wanted to to do in their various communities growing up. The sheer number of kids out there doing just that should warrant a level of security … but you can’t account for every kid – just as you couldn’t back in the 1960′s, 70′s. 80′s 90′s and beyond. So you grit you teeth, instruct your kid, and hope for the best. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it implodes, like it did last Friday. Suffice to say there’s no more “hanging out” uptown for the time being. Thank God nobody was hurt. Live and learn. End of subject. I think it best for the kids involved, including the families of the kids that made unfortunate choices, that everyone move on. Thanks
Wow, hijklmnop, don’t you think the parent of an 11 year old girl should do more than “hope for the best” and wait for things to implode?
I doubt it is “end of subject” quite yet.