Spate Of Camera And Bicycle Thefts Plus An Armed Robbery

          On Sunday, July 11 at approximately 12:30 a.m., police responded to a report of an armed robbery at the 100 block of Willowdale Avenue. Victims said they were talking in front of a home when two black males walked by. One produced a silver handgun and stole a cell phone, a Blackberry, and cash.

         The crime is included on this week's Police Blotter, which is just in from Lt. Scott Buehler at the Montclair Police Department:

Theft Arrest

             On 7/12/10 at approximately 2:05 p.m., police were flagged down on North Fullerton Avenue by a worker for Immaculate Conception Church who wanted to report a theft that had just occurred inside the church. The complainant stated that he was in the church when he observed a female attempting to "fish" money from the collection box. He further stated that he was unaware how much money was taken, but that it was probably a small amount. A small piece of wire that may have been used to retrieve the money from the collection box was located on scene.

            Shortly thereafter, police located a female matching the provided description walking westbound on Munn Street. Claudia Crawford, 46, of East Orange, was placed under arrest when she was identified as the female observed in the church. Six dollars was confiscated and returned to the church. Crawford was charged with theft and later released.

Burglary

            On 7/9/10 at approximately 6:45 p.m., police were dispatched to a single family residence on High Street on a report of a burglary. The victim stated that she had left the house on 7/9/10 at approximately 10:30 a.m., and discovered the burglary when she returned at approximately 6:30 p.m. on the same date. Upon returning to the residence, the victim discovered that the rear door to the residence was opened. In addition, the kitchen window had been opened, with a cut found in its screen. Taken from the residence was a 35 MM Canon Eos digital camera valued at $600, a Canon telephoto lens valued at $200, a Samsung computer monitor valued at $250, a digital Sure Shot camera valued at $200 and $50 in rolled coins. There are no suspects at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Terence Turner at 973-509-4724.

Drug Arrest

            On 7/9/10 at approximately 8:15 p.m., police were in the area of New Street and Washington Street when they observed a female smoking marijuana. Upon detaining the female, police recovered a bag of marijuana from the cargo pocket of her pants. Lena Haley, 19, of Montclair, was placed under arrest and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and later released.

Burglary

            On 7/9/10 at approximately 10:10 p.m., police were dispatched to a Sylvan Place apartment on a report of a burglary. The victim stated that she left her residence on that date at approximately 1:00 p.m. When she returned to the apartment at approximately 9:30 p.m., she discovered that several flower pots on her front porch had been knocked to the ground. When she entered the apartment, she saw that one of the dining room windows was opened and that the flower pot that was at the base of the window had been knocked over and damaged. This window had been left unlocked prior to the burglary.

            The victim reported that a silver Kodak Easyshare digital camera valued at $90, a camera memory card valued at $20 and a USB cable had been stolen from the apartment. During the course of the investigation, officers found that the suspect had attempted to gain entry through the apartment's back door, but was unsuccessful in forcing the door. There are no suspects at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Terence Turner at 973-509-4724.

Warrant Arrest

            On 7/10/10 at approximately 5:10 a.m., police responded to the Glen Ridge Police Department, where Jamal L. Harriott was in custody. Harriott, 26, of Montclair, had a warrant out of Montclair, with bail set at $133. He was transported to Montclair Police Headquarters without incident.

Theft from a Motor Vehicle

            On 7/10/10 at approximately 10:20 a.m., police were dispatched to an apartment on Pine Street on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. The victim stated that she parked her gray Chevy Malibu in the complex's underground parking facility on 7/10/10 at approximately 12:30 a.m.. When the victim returned to her vehicle that same date at approximately 9:30 a.m., she discovered that the front passenger's side window had been smashed. Taken from the vehicle was a purse valued at $50 and a silver iPod Classic valued at $100. There are no suspects at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Lynn McCarthy at 973-509-4725.

Theft from a Motor Vehicle

            On 7/10/10 at approximately 12:00 p.m., police were dispatched to an apartment on Pine Street on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. The victim stated that she parked her black Toyota Rav4 in the complex's underground parking facility on 7/9/10 at approximately 7:00 p.m.. When the victim returned to her vehicle on 7/10/10 at approximately 12:00 p.m., she discovered that one of the vehicle's windows had been smashed. A black Garmin GPS valued at $100 and a Toyota wheel lock key valued at $150 were taken from the vehicle. There are no suspects at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Lynn McCarthy at 973-509-4725.

Theft

            On 7/10/10 at approximately 3:05 p.m., police were dispatched to a single family residence on Valley Road on a report of a theft of a bicycle. The complainant stated that the bicycle was stolen sometime between 10:00 a.m. on 7/9/10 and 3:00 PM on 7/10/10 from the property's garage. It is unknown whether the garage door was left open prior to the theft. The bicycle is described as a metallic blue, twenty inch Mongoose valued at $250. There are no suspects at this time.

Theft from a Motor Vehicle

            On 7/10/10 at approximately 6:00 p.m., police responded to Midland Avenue on a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. The complainant stated that he parked his unlocked silver Nissan Xterra in the property's garage on 7/8/10 at approximately 7:00 p.m. The garage door had been left open prior to the theft. On 7/10/10 at approximately 5:45 p.m., he discovered that $30 in quarters and a prepaid cellular phone valued at $25 had been stolen from the vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. Scott Buehler at 973-509-4714.

Burglary Arrest

            On 7/8/10 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.

            As a result of further investigation, detectives identified Keith Johnson, 38, of Montclair, as the suspect in this incident. On 7/10/10 at approximately 7:00 p.m., police located Johnson walking in the area of Grove Street and Glenridge Avenue and placed him under arrest without incident. Johnson was charged with burglary, theft, and criminal trespass, with bail set at $25,000. He is scheduled to be transferred to the Essex County Jail.

Armed Robbery

            On 7/11/10 at approximately 12:30 a.m., police received a report of an armed robbery that had occurred in the 100 block of Willowdale Avenue. The victims stated that approximately 10 minutes before they had called the police they were standing out in front of a residence talking when they noticed two dark skinned black males walk past the residence. One individual was wearing a black T-shirt, blue jeans with a net style skull cap and in his mid 20's.  He had a beard and was approximately 6'1", 220 pounds.  The second individual was approximately 5'7", 120 pounds.  He appeared to be in his early 20's and was wearing a long sleeved thermal shirt and had long twists in his hair.

           The victims stated that a couple of minutes later, these same individuals walked back and approached them. One of these individuals said, "Ya'll know what time it is, run your pockets."  The victims stated that the heavier set male produced a silver type handgun and took a twenty-three year old Montclair male's cell phone, a Blackberry valued at $350, and $25 in cash from him. A twenty-two year old Trenton female was also present and briefly struggled with the suspect when he attempted to forcefully take her cellular phone, a Blackberry valued at $300. The suspect proceeded to strike the female in the jaw with his forearm before taking the phone. Also present were two other twenty-three year old Montclair males. Both these males reported that nothing was stolen from them, as they had nothing of value in their possession.

            The suspects fled south on Willowdale Avenue and east on Linden Avenue, where another vehicle occupied by two males was parked. One of the Montclair males chased the suspects before they could enter the vehicle, but stated that the heavier set male turned around, put the gun up to the victim's neck, and shoved him away. The vehicle, described as either a late model Mazda or possibly a four door Oldsmobile, was last observed driving west on Linden Avenue.

          The victims stated that they were not injured as a result of this incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Joseph Anderson at 973-509-4706.

Arrest

            On 7/11/10 at approximately 1:20 a.m., police were dispatched to Elmwood Avenue on a report of damage to a PSE&G electric meter. According to a witness, she stated that she heard glass breaking outside her window and looked outside. She then observed a black male with his hands on the electric meter of a neighboring multi-family residence. When the resident walked outside and notified the police, the actor observed her and ran into the residence that contained the damaged meter.

            Police located the suspect on the second floor of the residence, where an acquaintance of his was residing. Jontue Love, 25, of Montclair was placed under arrest and charged with criminal mischief after he was identified as the suspect in the vandalism. His motive for damaging the meter is unknown at this time. Love was later released on his own recognizance. Anyone with further information is asked to contact Lt. Scott Buehler at 973-509-4714.

Burglary Attempt

            On 7/11/10 at approximately 3:10 p.m., police were dispatched to a multi-family residence on Elmwood Avenue on a report of an attempted burglary that occurred sometime between midnight and 6:00 a.m. on 7/8/10. According to the complainant, sometime during that night, she awoke to a "thud", but could not determine the origin of the noise. At 6:00 a.m., she discovered that the bathroom's window and screen had been opened. The victim reports that the window had been properly secured the night before. The victim does not believe that entry was gained to the apartment and nothing was reported missing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Ricky Singleton at 973-509-4722.

Theft

            On 7/11/10 at approximately 4:15 p.m., police received a report of a bicycle stolen from the driveway of a Wildwood Avenue residence. The victim stated that he left his bicycle at a friend's house on 7/10/10 at approximately midnight. When he returned for the bicycle on 7/11/10 at approximately 12:30 a.m., he discovered that the bicycle was missing. The bicycle was left unlocked prior to the theft. The bicycle is described as a black Gary Fisher Wahoo mountain bike valued at $200. There are no suspects at this time.

Theft from a Motor Vehicle

            On 7/11/10 at approximately 6:25 p.m., police received a report of a theft from a motor vehicle that occurred on Brunswick Avenue on 7/10/10 between midnight and 3:00 a.m. The victim stated that she parked her Toyota in front of a friend's residence. Sometime during this time frame, a Garmin GPS valued at approximately $200 was taken from her unlocked vehicle. Anyone with further information is asked to contact Lt. Scott Buehler at 973-509-4714.

Arrest

            On 7/12/10 at approximately 1:20 a.m., police were patrolling the area of South Park Street and Church Street when an officer observed a small aluminum chair sliding across Church Street, coming to stop in the east bound lane. Upon searching the area, police located a male, later identified as Brian Groark, 31, of Glen Ridge. Upon speaking to Groark, police noticed that he smelled of an alcoholic beverage and an empty bottle of spiced rum was found in the area where he was initially observed. In addition, it was reported that Groark had difficulty standing and providing his place of residence. While speaking to officers, Groark attempted to push past them. He then proceeded to begin yelling profanities and pushed one of the officers. Groark was advised that he was being placed under arrest for disorderly conduct. He then began resisted efforts to be handcuffed by twisting his arms and attempting to jerk them away from the officers, before eventually being handcuffed. Groark was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest before later being released.