Montclair Building Vandalized; Cops Probe Potential 'Bias Incident'

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Police are investigating a potential bias incident in Montclair after public safety officials came across a vandalized building with smoldering piles of burned items last week, authorities announced Tuesday.

According to the Montclair Police Department, officers responded to the 10-block of Alvin Place last Thursday after getting a call about a burglary at a mechanical repair shop. The person who called in the report said she wasn’t able to tell if anything was stolen.

The officers found some light smoke inside the building when they arrived and notified the Montclair Fire Department, which also responded to the scene.

Here’s what an investigation turned up, police said:

“Prior to the incident, witnesses reported, and nearby surveillance shows, juveniles in the area riding their bicycles in the vicinity of the building and were also seen playing on the roof of the building. Preliminary investigation suggests a group of juveniles entered the building through an unsecured second floor window. Once inside, the suspects used a can of black spray paint to vandalize the walls. Phrases such as ‘HELP,’ ‘Free Diddy,’ a drawing of a ghost, a phallic symbol and a swastika were also observed. In addition to the graffiti, there were several small piles of burnt items in the garage that were left smoldering.”

The Montclair Fire Department extinguished the small piles of burning items. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office was notified about the incident due to the swastika, authorities said.

The incident will be investigated as a potential bias incident until proven otherwise, authorities said. Anyone with information can contact Det. Joseph Juliano at (973) 509-4724.

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