Montclair Car Owner Chases Down Theft Suspect, Man Arrested Near Nursing Home: Police

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair police arrested an attempted car theft suspect after he led officers on a foot chase last week, finding him hiding behind a shipping container of a local nursing home.

According to the Montclair Police Department, officers responded to a home on Porter Place at 6:33 p.m. on Sept. 2 after getting a report about a car theft in progress.

While responding to the scene, officers were flagged down by a pedestrian, who told them that the car’s owner was chasing the suspect on foot south on Harrison Avenue.

Police caught up to the victim, who told police that they saw the suspect inside of their 2025 Hyundai SUV. When they confronted him and gave chase, the suspect allegedly told them: “If you don't stop following me, I'm going to shoot you.”

The car owner said he lost the suspect in the area of Harrison Avenue, Gates Avenue, Cross Street and Orange Road. They gave officers a description of the suspect, and police created a perimeter around the area, specifically concentrating in the area of the complex at 125 Gates Avenue and 111 Gates Avenue.

Police officers eventually found the suspect – Quasim Rooks, 24, of Newark – hiding behind a shipping container in the rear of the Montclair Care Center.

Authorities charged Rooks with robbery and burglary to a motor vehicle.

Rooks was also found in possession of items reported stolen from East Orange and West Orange. In addition to the Montclair charges, he had open warrants from East Orange and the Union County Sheriff’s Office, authorities said.

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