4 Car Crimes Reported Near Bloomfield Businesses Last Week: Police

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Four crimes involving motor vehicles near local businesses were reported in Bloomfield last week. Two of the crimes – stolen vehicles – took place at the same location, where cars were left running and unlocked, authorities announced Friday.

The Bloomfield Police Department released the following details about the incidents:

CAR THEFT (July 19) – Officers responded to 8 Chester Avenue (Chunchi’s Bakery) after getting a report about a motor vehicle theft. The victim told officers that he saw a Jeep Grand Cherokee pull up next to his vehicle while he was inside the bakery. A man wearing a ski mask got out of the Jeep and drove off with the victim’s vehicle, which was left unlocked and running. The vehicle, a black 2013 Mercedes Benz GL450, was entered as stolen. A police investigation continues, authorities said.

ATTEMPED CAR THEFT (July 19) – Officers responded to 313 Franklin Street (Dunkin’ Donuts) after getting a report about an attempted motor vehicle theft. The victim told officers that while he was inside the store, he saw four men pull into the parking lot in a Jeep Cherokee. Three of the men exited the Jeep and attempted to gain entry into the victim’s vehicle, which was left locked and running. The victim ran outside and the four men fled the scene. A police investigation continues, authorities said.

THEFT FROM AUTO (July 19) – Officers responded to the parking lot of 60 Orange Street (Home Depot) after getting a report about a theft from an auto. The victim told officers that she was leaving the store when she saw a man in the passenger seat of her car and rifling through her tote bag. When the man saw the victim, he fled the scene. While searching the area, police allegedly saw the suspect running and unlawfully entering a building to avoid them. The officers apprehended the suspect – a 33-year-old Montclair resident – and transported him to police headquarters to be charged, authorities said.

STOLEN CAR (July 20) – Officers responded to 8 Chester Avenue (Chunchi’s Bakery) after getting a report about a motor vehicle theft. The victim left her car unlocked and running while she went into the bakery, and when she came back outside, it was missing. The vehicle, a gray 2018 Honda Accord, was entered as stolen. A police investigation continues, authorities said.

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