Burglar Alarm Scares Off Home Intruder In Montclair: Police

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A Montclair resident’s burglar alarm apparently scared off a would-be intruder last weekend, authorities announced Tuesday.

The incident took place on Chester Road on Sunday, Montclair police said, releasing the following details:

“A resident reported that she was woken at 5:15 a.m. by a loud bang, followed by her burglar alarm being activated. Responding officers located an open first floor window. It appears the suspect(s) were attempting to gain entry but were scared off by the alarm.”

Montclair has seen several home burglaries in the past few weeks, including an incident involving a stolen car on Jan. 16.

During that incident, a homeowner reported that after waking up, he discovered his 2022 BMW X7 was stolen from his driveway. The suspect or suspects were able to enter the home through a first-floor rear window, and located the keys in a foyer area. The unoccupied vehicle was located later that day in Lyndhurst, police said.

• See Related: Montclair Vehicle Crimes: Snow Shoveler, Stolen Car, Smashed Window
• See Related: Wave Of Home, Business Burglaries Hits Montclair, Police Say

Other recent home burglaries include:

Jan. 11 (Norman Road) – “A resident of Norman Road reported a burglary to his residence. Entry appears to have been gained through a kitchen window. One inside, three suspects were able to locate the keys to the resident’s 2023 BMW X3 and 2024 BMW X5. The suspects fled the scene with both victim’s vehicles. In addition, a North Face jacket was stolen.”

Jan. 11 (Overlook Road) – “A resident of Overlook Road reported a burglary occurred at his residence during the overnight hours. Entry into the home appears to have been made through a kitchen window. A goose jacket and wallet were the reported proceeds.”

Jan. 15 (Park Street) – “At approximately 4 a.m., officers responded to a Park Street residence on an activated burglary alarm. The home was determined to have been burglarized. Entry was made through a first-floor front window. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the incident. It is unknown at this time what, if anything, was stolen.”

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