Be warned! Do not leave your car unattended while you warm it up in your driveway  Several cars were stolen last week when owners did that. Also, think twice before picking up hitchhikers. A Montclair man did, only to have them pull a gun on him and rob him.

Detective Angel Roman of the Montclair Police Department provides this account of crime in the past week:

Thefts:

On 01/21/2013, at 1835 hours, Officers responded to the CVS on Valley Road on the report of a theft of a debit card.  The complainant informed officers that she was waiting in line for a prescription at the pharmacy at about 1700 hours.  She was told it would be another twenty minutes so she stepped outside.  She suddenly realized she was no longer in possession of her TD bank debit card.  She was not sure if she left it at the counter or dropped it.  She contacted the bank and immediately and was informed that a $294.00 purchase had already been made.  The purchase was for an American Express gift card.

On 01/22/2013, at 0720 hours, officers responded to an Eagle Rock Way address on a stolen motor vehicle report.  The owner informed officers that he went out to warm up his black 2012 Volvo that was parked in his driveway.  The vehicle was left running unattended for about ten minutes when he realized it had been stolen.  Anyone with information contact Det. Turner at 973 509 4724.

On 01/23/2013 at 0649 hours, officers responded to a Harvard Street address on a stolen motor vehicle report.  Officers were informed by the vehicle owner that he stepped outside at 0625 hours and started his 2012 black Infinity G37XS.  He went back in the home with the vehicle running.  He returned to the vehicle at 0645 hours and the vehicle was gone.  Anyone with information contact Det. J. Anderson at 973 509 4706.

On 01/23/2013 at 0745 hours, officers responded to a Belvidere Place address on a stolen motor vehicle report.  Officers were informed by the vehicle owner that he stepped outside and started his 2010 black Volvo XC6.  He went back in the home with the vehicle running.  He was standing in his living when he looked out his window and observed the vehicle being driven away.  He could not see the occupant(s) in the vehicle.  Anyone with information contact Det. Turner at 973 509 4724.

On 01/23/2013 at 1428 hours, police took a report of a stolen ipad.  The complainant came in to headquarters and informed officers that she was in Edgemont Park with her children earlier in the day.  At some point she placed her purse down on the park bench which contained her iPad (color white with green case).  When she went back to her purse the iPad was gone.  No suspects.

Armed Robbery:

On 01//2013, at 1643 hours, officers responded to the area of the TD Bank on Bloomfield Avenue on a report of an armed robbery.  Officers met with the victim who stated that he was traveling south on Grove Street in his 1999 Silver Nissan.  He stopped at the intersection of Grove and Glenridge Avenue when two men dressed in dark clothing asked him for a ride to the south end of town.  He agreed and allowed them into his vehicle.  As he began driving one of the subjects, who was sitting in the front seat, pulled a black hand gun and told him to drive to TD Bank and withdraw $400.00.  He told the victim if he did not do as he said that he would blow his head off. He drove to TD Bank and exited with the actor.  As they walked toward the bank the victim ran away and immediately dialed 911 from his cell phone.  Officers stopped a vehicle with four occupants near Elm Street and Hawthorne Avenue that was leaving the area at a high rate of speed.  After further investigation, and the recovery of a Smith and Wesson pellet gun, all four occupants were arrested.  Twenty two year old Travis Hubbard of Montclair, Twenty one year old Marquis Staton of Montclair and two juveniles were all charged accordingly.  Bail for the two adults was set at 100,000 cash.

Arrests:

On 01/17/2013, at 2145 hours, the Montclair Vice Control Unit working with the Orange Police Vice unit executed a search warrant at an address in Orange.  Information had been received regarding drug trafficking in Montclair and Orange by an individual from the township of Orange.  The joint investigation led to the arrest of GiGi Marra age 46 of Orange who was present at the residence.  Seized by police were 2,850 glassine envelopes containing heroin (approx street value $28,000) and a Ruger P85 9mm handgun (serial# 300-51016); fully loaded with 15 rounds.  Forty four year old Juan Ramirez of Orange, NJ was the target of the investigation but was not at the residence.  He is still being sought by police.

Related Posts:

• Montclair Crime: Gun Possession Arrest, Thefts and Vandalism
• Montclair Crime: Stolen Bike, Theft From an Unlocked Car, Arrests, Graffiti
• Montclair Crime: Weapons Possession & Aggravated Assault At Glenfield Park, Stolen Fed Ex Packages, Graffitti