A Robbery At Gunpoint, Vandalism at Northeast School, and a Purse Snatching

This just in from Lt. Scott Buehler at the Montclair Police Department: There's been a robbery at gunpoint, vandalism at Northeast School, and a purse snatching around town, all within the last 36 hours. The armed robbery took place in the area of Elm Street and Elmwood Avenue, while a theft from a car took place near Midland Avenue.

Armed Robbery

            A twenty-one year old Montclair resident reported that he was robbed at gunpoint on Thursday, July 8 at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the area of Elm Street and Elmwood Avenue. The victim stated that he had exited a bus at the corner of Bloomfield Avenue and Elm Street prior to the incident. As he walked south on Elm Street, he saw someone behind him. The suspect asked the victim, "What's up?" When the victim replied, Nothing," the suspect cocked a handgun and pointed it in the direction of the victim. A wallet containing various identification cards was taken by the suspect.

            The suspect is described as a black male, 19-20 years old, with a thin build, 5'7"-5'9", wearing a black ski-type cap that did not cover his face, a navy blue or dark colored long-sleeved T-shirt, black jeans and black shoes. The weapon is described only as a black handgun.

            Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Ray Gulbin at 973-509-4739.

Theft from a Motor Vehicle

            On Thursday, July 8 at approximately 6:20 p.m., police were dispatched to the area of Midland Avenue and Claremont Avenue on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle in progress. A witness stated that he was in his residence when he looked out a window and observed a male walk to the rear door of a nearby residence and peer inside the house. The male then walked over to a red Volkswagen Jetta that was parked and unlocked in the driveway of the same residence. The suspect was then observed fleeing from the area, hopping over a fence with a brown bag in his hand.

            A pedestrian notified police that she had observed the suspect run through an open lot in the area of Central Avenue and Walnut Street, where he was seen throwing a brown purse into some bushes. The suspect was described as a black male in his late twenties to early thirties, approximately 5'7" with short hair. The suspect was last seen wearing a black short sleeve shirt with gold and tan details on the sleeves.

            The purse was returned to its owner, who reported that nothing was missing from the purse. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Joseph Anderson at 973-509-4706.

Vandalism

            On Friday, July 9 at approximately 5:55 a.m., police were dispatched to Northeast School on a report of vandalism that had occurred. A worker at the school directed police to the school's playground, which had been vandalized sometime between 3:30 p.m. on July 8 and 5:45 a.m. on July 9. The vandalism consisted of arrows and squares spray painted in orange on the playground's sliding board and rock climbing wall. There are no suspects at this time.