Montclair Sees Rash Of Car Thefts, Break-Ins: Police

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair residents reported a rash of vehicle thefts and break-ins throughout the township last week, according to police.

Police issued the following advisory on Wednesday:

"The Montclair Police Department reminds all residents to lock their vehicles while unattended. We also advise against storing valuables in the passenger compartment of vehicles. We have been experiencing an increase in thefts from motor vehicles across the township. The area most affected is Valley Road and its neighboring streets in the northern end of town. In almost every reported incident, the vehicle targeted had been left unlocked."

The Montclair Police Department stated that the following incidents took place in the township earlier this month. Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch Montclair Facebook page.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5

• (Washington Avenue) Theft from an unlocked motor vehicle. Loose change was taken in this incident.
• (Afterglow Way) Theft of a pocketbook, purse, and clothing items from a parked vehicle. Access was gained by prying a door lock.

THURSDAY, JULY 6

• (Glenridge Avenue) Theft of a purse and a laptop from an unlocked motor vehicle.

FRIDAY, JULY 7

• (Marquette Road) Theft of a 2001 white Honda Accord from a residential driveway.
• (Brooklawn Road) Karen Hill, 53, of Orange, was arrested and charged with burglary after patrol officers allegedly saw her enter an unlocked vehicle and attempt to remove items.
• (Glenwood Avenue) Theft from two unlocked motor vehicles at a residence. Loose change was taken.
• (Valley Road) An unlocked motor vehicle was rummaged through, but nothing taken.
• (Overlook Road) A parked motor vehicle was rummaged through, but nothing taken. There was no sign of forced entry.
• (Marion Road) An unlocked motor vehicle was rummaged through. Unknown if anything is missing.
• (Marion Road) Theft from an unlocked motor vehicle. Loose change was taken in this incident.
• (Marion Road) Theft from two unlocked motor vehicles parked in a driveway. Loose change was taken.
• (Valley Road) Theft from an unlocked motor vehicle. A pair of sunglasses were taken in this incident.
• (Overlook Road) Theft from an unlocked motor vehicle. A cellular telephone charger was taken.
• (Elston Road) Theft from an unlocked motor vehicle. Loose change was taken in this incident.
• (Beverly Road) Theft from unlocked motor vehicle. Personal documents were taken in this incident.
• (Marquette Road) An unlocked vehicle was entered and its interior rummaged through. It does not appear that anything was taken.

SUNDAY, JULY 9

• 7-9-2017 (Sunset Park) Theft of loose change from a parked vehicle.
• 7-9-2017 (Valley Place) An unlocked motor vehicle was rummaged through, but nothing reported missing.

MONDAY, JULY 10

• 7-10-2017 (Cooper Avenue) Theft of a 2016 black Subaru CrossTrek from a driveway.
• 7-10-2017 (Cooper Avenue) Theft from an unlocked motor vehicle. The contents of a purse were taken.
• 7-10-2017 (Marion Road) An unlocked motor vehicle was entered but nothing reported missing.
• 7-10-2017 (Cooper Avenue) Theft from an unlocked motor vehicle. Loose change was taken in this incident.
• 7-10-2017 (Cooper Avenue) An unlocked vehicle was entered but nothing was noticed missing.
• 7-10-2017 (Cooper Avenue) An unlocked motor vehicle was entered and loose change taken.
• 7-10-2017 (Cooper Avenue) Theft from an unlocked motor vehicle. Credit cards and cash were taken.
• 7-10-2017 (Cooper Avenue) An unlocked motor vehicle was entered and loose change taken.
• 7-10-2017 (Cooper Avenue) Two unlocked vehicles were entered in a driveway but nothing was reported missing from either vehicle.
• 7-10-2017 (Lackawanna Plaza) Theft from a vehicle with a malfunctioning door lock. An iPad and loose change was taken.

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