Montclair Sees 2 Carjackings In 1 Week, Police Say

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A pair of carjackings were recently reported in Montclair, police say.

The Montclair Police Department released details about each incident on Tuesday.

CARJACKED IN DRIVEWAY

According to Montclair police, a victim reported that she left her 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee running in the driveway of a Stonebridge Road residence at 6:45 a.m. on Dec. 1.

The victim told officers that she was standing nearby when she observed a thin man wearing all black run up to her car and enter it. Here’s what happened next, authorities said:

“It appears as though the male exited a newer model white Mercedes SUV. The victim reported that she ran up to her car and entered the front passenger seat to confront the suspect. The suspect was continuously putting the car in drive and reverse while the two struggled to regain control of the vehicle. The suspect then pushed the victim out of the car, causing an injury to her nose. The suspect then fled the scene in the Jeep south on Stonebridge Road. The vehicle was recovered on Dec. 2, parked and unoccupied on Duane Street in Orange. The victim refused any medical treatment.”

Police said anyone with information can contact Detective Steven Mateo at (973) 509-4721.

CARJACKER CAUGHT IN TRAFFIC

Another carjacking took place on Dec. 6, Montclair police said.

According to the Montclair Police Department:

“At 7:26 p.m., patrol units were dispatched to a Melrose Place residence on a report of an armed carjacking. The victim reported that she returned home and was exiting her 2021 Porsche Cayenne when two unknown males approached her. One of the males was armed with a handgun and demanded she get out of the car and give him her purse, phone and keys. The victim complied. One of the males fled down her driveway with her purse, while the other male fled in her vehicle.”

Here’s what happened next, police said:

“A description of the vehicle was broadcast to all units and surrounding police agencies. Minutes later, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle travelling east on Route 280 in East Orange. The vehicle got caught in heavy traffic in the area of First Street in Newark, where the suspect bailed out of the Porsche and fled on foot. Sheriff’s officers gave chase and apprehended a 23-year-old male from Newark who was ultimately charged.”

Montclair police said the incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information can contact Detective Jamar Jones at (973) 509-4705.

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