Trespassing, Robbery and Burglary Dominate Police News

Arrest

July 29:  Montclair police arrested a 17-year-old Montclair resident on trespassing charges after he was seen walking through the rear yard toward a garage of a Grove Street home.

At approximately 5:15 p.m., police were called to the home when a woman said she saw the youth walking in the yard. The woman said she confronted the youth and he fled over a fence and into an adjacent yard.

A short time later, police located someone who matched the woman’s description and the youth was arrested.

Burglary  

 July 30: Montclair police are investigating five bicycle thefts from a home on Hilltop Place.

A caller told police a Trek bicycle, valued at around $400, had been stolen from her basement sometime after noon on July 16. Police were unable to locate any evidence of forced entry to the basement.

The victim also reported four other bicycles had also been stolen from the rear yard of the residence.

She said one of the bicycles had been stolen from behind her garage on July 26. The bicycle had been secured to a fence with a combination lock and chain prior to the theft.

After this bicycle was stolen, she took the remaining three bicycles that had also been behind the garage and moved them to the front of her home the next morning. These bicycles were also later stolen. There are no suspects at this time.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Det. Brian Fazio at (973) 509-4730.

Motor Vehicle Theft

July 30: Police responded to Sherman Street home on a report of a stolen motor vehicle.

The victim told police she parked her burgundy Honda Civic in her apartment’s lot on the July 29 at approximately 7:30 a.m. and discovered it missing the next morning at 8:30 a.m. There are no suspects at this time.

Burglary

July 30: Police are investigation the theft of $1,200 worth of bathroom faucets from a storage unit at a unoccupied Harrison Avenue home.

The victim told police the house was under renovation. The day before at 6 p.m., the homeowner placed several items inside the storage unit.

When he returned the next day at about 10 a.m., he discovered the locks to the unit had been cut and that four Moen or Kohler faucets, had been stolen. There are no suspects at this time.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Det. Joseph Anderson at (973) 509-4706.

Drug Arrests

July 30: Police arrested three men on drug charges after they were notified by a pedestrian the men were possibly smoking marijuana in the parking lot behind Elevation Burger. 

Upon arrival, police found three men in the lot and discovered two cigars containing marijuana and arrested the men.

Justin Plaza, 20, of Montclair, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and found to also have a warrant issued by Montclair, with bail set at $110. He was later released.

Justin Bohler, 19, of Irvington, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and later released.

Avery Hillman, 22, of Irvington, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance. He was also found to have warrants issued by Jersey City, with bail set at $114, and Newark, with bail set at $100.

Motor Vehicle Theft

July 30: Police are investigating the theft of a stolen motorcycle from a Talbot Street residence.

The victim told police that he left his red and white Yamaha R1 under the front porch of his home. Police said the motorcycle was stolen sometime between July 22 and July 30.

There are no suspects at this time.

Warrant Arrest

July 31: Police were called to Glen Ridge Police Department headquarters to take custody of Mannuel Robinson. 

Robinson, 22, of Irvington, was arrested after police confirmed he had a warrant issued by Montclair, with bail set at $250.

Robbery Arrests

July 31: Two 16-year-old Montclair youth have been arrested after a 15-year-old Montclair youth said he was the victim of a strong-armed robbery near Rand Park.

The 15-year-old youth said he was he was walking south on North Fullerton Avenue in the area of Rand Park when the two 16-year olds approached him from Rand Place. The victim attempted to cross the street to avoid the pair, but he was followed.

The victim said one of the  alleged attackers slammed his open hand into the victim’s chest and grabbed him while the other male stood behind the victim to block him from trying to flee. The victim said he was asked, “Where is your money?” and took a dollar from the victim’s wallet, which was all of the money the victim had. The suspect then told the victim, “Get out of here, and if I catch you looking back at me, I’m going to have to do something.”  The victim then fled and the police were contacted.

 A while later, police found two individuals matching the provided description at the intersection of Forest and Chestnut streets.

The pair were arrested after a positive identification was made. Both were charged with robbery and remanded to the Essex County Youth House.

Theft from a Motor Vehicle

July 31: Police are investigating the theft of a 60GB black Classic Apple iPod from a car parked in a Lackawanna Plaza Mall lot.

The victim told police she parked her black Infiniti G35 in the lot while she shopped in the mall. When she returned, she discovered the car’s driver’s side lock had been damaged, apparently by a suspect utilizing a screwdriver.

The victim said the iPod, valued at $300, was stolen from the vehicle. There are no suspects at this time.

Anyone with further information should contact Det. Terence Turner at (973) 509-4724.

Robbery

July 31: A 43-year-old woman told police she was assaulted in front of the Van Dyke Nursing Home on North Mountain at approximately 11:20 p.m.

Police aid the woman said she had just arrived at the nursing home prior to calling the police. As she approached the front door to the building, she was shoved from behind against the building. The suspect then grabbed for her purse and grabbed it after a brief struggle. The suspect then fled south on North Mountain Avenue. The victim did not report any injuries as a result of the incident.

The purse contained numerous identification cards and $8 in cash.

The suspect is described as a black man, 20-24 years old, with a thin build, approximately 5’5” to 5’6” tall and was last seen wearing a gray t-shirt and black pants.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Det. Ray Gulbin at (973) 509-4739.

Motor Vehicle Theft

 Aug 1: A Gates Avenue resident told police his charcoal gray Audi Q7 was stolen from his driveway sometime between 7 p.m. on July 31 and 7 a.m. on Aug. 1.

Police have no suspects at this time.

Vandalism

Aug 1: An employee at the Lincoln Monument Company on Orange Road told police someone damaged and caused $200 worth of damages.

The victim reported the damage occurred between 4:30 p.m. on July 22 and 9 a.m. on July 23.

There are no suspects at this time.

Vandalism

Aug 1: A worker at a business on Hillside Avenue reported vandalism to the northeast side of the building

The damage, consisting of the letters “TFLDDAWY” being spraypainted in black  on the side of the building, is believed to have occurred sometime between July 29 at 4:30 p.m. and Aug 1 at approximately 8:00 a.m.

Anyone with further information should contact Det. Glenda Rivera at (973) 509-4733.

Vandalism to a Motor Vehicle

Aug 1: A woman reported her white BMW 750 was vandalized in the Orange Road Parking Deck in the overnight hours of Aug. 1.

The victim said sometime between 10 p.m. July 31 and 3 p.m. Aug. 1, someone left several messages written in pen on the front hood and fenders, as well as both sides of the vehicle and the rear bumper and trunk.

Some of the messages made references to money owed, but the victim said she did not understand why she was targeted, since she does not owe anyone money and believes the suspect may have mistakenly targeted her vehicle. In addition, a sticky liquid was poured over the roof, sides, and rear of the vehicle. There are no suspects at this time.

Anyone with further information should contact Det. Glenda Rivera at (973) 509-4733.

Drug Arrest

Aug 1: An 18-year-old Orange man was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance at Canterbury Park.

Police arrested Jordan Hooks after they found four bags of marijuana and an empty Ziplock bag on a bench near the park’s basketball courts while patrolling the park following resident’s complaints about alcohol and drugs incidents there.
 
Anyone wishing to report drug activity should call (973) 509-4720.

Burglary

Aug 1: A Nishuane Road resident reported the home was burglarized after the suspect entered the house through a rear basement window and took nearly $2,500 worth of jewelry.

The victim said the residence was entered sometime between 7:50 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. It is believed the suspect first removed a screen to the window before breaking the glass.

The victim reported a sixteen-inch 10-karat gold necklace with a cross pendant, valued at $500, and a gold necklace with a heart pendant, valued at $400, were taken from a jewelry box in the master bedroom. A Gucci watch, valued at $250, a pair of diamond stud earrings, valued at $400, and three jars containing a total of $900 in loose change was taken from another bedroom. A $20 bill was also taken from the basement. There are no suspects at this time.

Anyone with further information should contact Det. Terence Turner at (973) 509-4724.

Bicycle Thefts

Aug 2: Two racing bicycles were reported stolen from Woodman Field after the victims said they didn’t secure them to a fence.

The victims said they were visiting friends around midnight and were away from the bicycles for a short time. When they returned to the area 10 minutes later, the bicycles were missing.

The first bicycle was described as a blue Torpado Italian racing bike valued at $1,200. The second bicycle is described only as a blue racing bike with camouflage-colored tape on the handlebars and gears and is valued at $100. There are no suspects at this time.

Anyone with further information should contact Det. Christopher Barnes at (973) 509-4731.

 Vandalism to a Motor Vehicle

Aug 2: The rear window of a Jeep Liberty shattered after a Mission Street incident.

The victim told police she was driving her Jeep Liberty north on Mission Street when she heard the sound of glass breaking and discovered the rear windshield of the vehicle had been shattered.

The victim reported that a large group had congregated in front of the Mission Mart on Mission Street and several males had yelled at her vehicle prior to the incident. It is believed that the vandalism possibly occurred after one of the occupants in the Liberty yelled back at the group. It is unknown what object caused the damage to the vehicle.

Vandalism  

Aug 3: A Greenwood Avenue apartment resident said someone threw a brick through the window of her living room and shattered the glass.

The victim said she fell asleep at 2:00 a.m. and when she woke up at approximately 8:00 a.m., she discovered that a window in her living room had been shattered. A brick was found on the living room table and was obviously the object used to damage the window. There are no suspects at this time.

Anyone with further information should contact Det. Joseph Anderson at (973) 509-4706.

Vandalism

Aug 3: A 13-year-old boy has been arrested on charges of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and criminal mischief following two vandalism incidents to a window at a Warman Street residence.

The victim told police a fellow resident left the house at approximately 1:15 p.m. When they returned home at approximately 4:45 p.m., she discovered four holes in the front bay window. While investigating the scene, police discovered a brass BB near the damaged window.

At approximately 7:05 p.m., police again responded to the same residence on another complaint of vandalism to a window caused by a BB gun. Police checked a nearby home where the BB appeared to have been shot from and discovered the youth, who was believed to have caused some of the damage.

In addition, a Daisy 111B BB gun and pellets was confiscated.

Robbery Arrest

Between Jan. 31 and Feb. 9, Montclair police responded to five armed robberies at multiple businesses. 

After further investigation, Fred Tunis was identified as the prime suspect and arrested. Detectives found Tunis had committed the robberies with an unidentified person’s assistance.

As a result of an ongoing investigation, detectives identified Tiffany Morris as Tunis’s suspected accomplice. Morris was arrested in Little Falls on Aug. 3 at approximately 5:20 p.m.

Morris, 27, of Montclair, was charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Bail was set at $25,000.

Burglary

Aug 4: A Montclair Avenue home under construction was burglarized with the thieves damaging the wiring to thermostats and several heating and cooling units taken.

The victim said sometime between 12:30 p.m. Aug. 3 and approximately 6 p.m. on Aug. 4 the thermostats were damaged as well as a Luxaire furnace and fan blower, valued at $3,500m was stolen from the basement. In addition Luxaire heating and cooling units, valued at $2,500, were taken from the seond floor.

Anyone with further information should contact Det. Ricky Singleton at (973) 509-4722.          

Vandalism

 Aug 4: An employee at the Northeast School reported a vandalism at the school where someone drew pictures of bananas and the word “Bananas” was written in black marker on the rear door window panes.

The employee said he had left the school on the Aug. 3 at approximately 3:30 p.m. When he returned to the school the next day, he discovered the damage. There are no suspects at this time.

Burglary

Aug 4: A North Fullerton Avenue resident reported a burglary to an apartment after discovering a window on a door on the second floor had been shattered.

The victim said she arrived home and found the damage. Police checked the second-floor apartment and it appeared the door had been kicked in. Police checked the apartment for suspects but discovered no one. It is unknown what, if anything, is missing from the apartment.

Anyone with further information should contact Det. Joseph Anderson at (973) 509-4706.       

Shoplifting

Aug 5: A Krauszer’s employee who was reviewing surveillance footage of the store told police someone shoplifted several boxes of gum from the Church Street store.

The victim said at approximately 10 a.m. a male was at the counter while a worker was preparing food for the suspect. While the worker was preparing the food, the suspect took the gum and left the store. The suspect is described only as a black man.

Anyone with further information should contact Det. Lynn McCarthy at (973) 509-4725.

Suspicious Activity

Aug 5: A Montclair resident reported someone poured a dark-colored liquid, possibly soda, on the top and right-hand side of her car, parked in a Gates Avenue lot on July 21.

The victim told police that she parked her red Honda Accord in the lot on July 20. When she returned to the car at approximately 8:30 a.m. the next morning, she discovered the liquid. There are no suspects at this time.

Drug Arrest

Aug 5: A 16-year-old Montclair resident hiding in some bushes near Porter Place and Harrison Avenue has been arrested after police discovered four bags of marijuana and a switchblade knife behind the bushes.

At approximately 12:30 a.m., police were patrolling the area when they saw him run behind the bushes. Police shone a light down the alley and the youth emerged from the bushes. After determining he did not reside at that address, police checked the bushes and discovered the drugs and knife.

He was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and later remanded to the Essex County Youth House.

Warrant Arrest

 Aug 5: A woman riding a bicycle on Maple Avenue was stopped by Montclair police and held on three warrants.

Police detained Charade Jenkins at 9:05 p.m. after discovering she had outstanding warrants. Police confirmed she had warrants issued by Montclair, with bail set at $750, West Orange, with bail set at $1,000, and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office. Bail for this warrant had not been set at the time of the report.

Theft from a Motor Vehicle

Aug 5: A Lloyd Road resident reported her Lexus RX300 parked in front of her house had been entered the glove box.

The victim told police she parked her car on Aug. 4 at approximately 6 p.m. When she returned to her car the next day at approximately 12:30 p.m., she discovered that her glove box and front door panels had been opened, with their contents removed. It is unknown if the vehicle was locked prior to the incident, but police found no signs of forced entry to the Lexus. There was nothing reported missing from the vehicle and there are no suspects.

Theft

Aug 6: A Northview Avenue resident reported she chased two juveniles who had stolen a plastic lounge chair and a plastic table from her Upper Montclair property.

The woman said she lost sight of the juveniles in the 500 block of Valley Road.

The furniture, described as a blue plastic lounge chair valued at $30, a gray plastic table valued at $20 and a green and white folding chair valued at $20, was taken by the youth from an open garage port on Valley Road.

The first suspect is described as a white youth, approximately 12 years old with blonde hair, and last seen wearing a green shirt. The other suspect is described as a white youth, approximately 12 years old and last seen wearing a dark-colored shirt.

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

Drug Arrest

Aug 6: A 56-year-old Montclair man has been arrested on multiple drug charges and outstanding warrants after police saw him engaged in hand transactions usually associated with drug distribution with another man, police said.

At 7:35 p.m., police were patrolling the area of Pine and Sherman streets when they saw Agin Muhammad. Police were aware Muhammad had an active warrant issued by Montclair for his arrest, with bail set at $183, and detained him. Police found Muhammad was in possession of 13 bags of heroin and placed him under arrest.

Muhammad, 56 was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute. Bail was set at $50,000. He was also found to have warrants issued by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, with bail totaling $56,000.