The week in Montclair crime from Lieutenant Terence Turner, Montclair Police Department:

May 25, 2022 (Watchung Avenue): The victims reported that while performing landscaping services on Watchung Avenue, their truck was entered and a bag was stolen. The bag contained the victim’s lunch, car keys, and cellphones.

May 26, 2022 (Clinton Avenue): The victim reported that his vehicle was entered and his wallet was stolen. The wallet contained $100 in cash and various credit cards. A witness observed two unknown males enter the vehicle before fleeing north on Clinton Avenue in a black Nissan Altima with tinted windows.

May 27, 2022 (South Mountain Avenue): The victim reported an unknown person entered his truck and stole his wallet. The wallet contained credit cards that were ultimately used at a Best Buy.

May 24, 2022 (Wilde Place): A female victim was walking with her caretaker in the area of Plymouth Street and Wilde Place when they were approached from behind by a male suspect. The male suspect grabbed the victim’s purse and threw her to the ground. The male ran to an awaiting vehicle and fled the scene. The suspect was described as a male in his late 20’s or early 30’s. He was wearing all black clothing and had a light blue cloth mask that was under his chin. The suspect had short dark curly hair and was approximately 5’8” to 6’0″ in height. The suspect vehicle was described as a silver Honda Accord with temporary registration. The victim suffered abrasions to both knees, both palms, her right shoulder and the right side of her face. She was treated by Montclair EMS and transported to Mountainside Hospital for further treatment. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Dan Heiser at (973) 509-4724.

May 27, 2022 (Watchung Avenue): A black Honda SUV arrived at the Valero gas station and requested $30 worth of gasoline from the attendant. When the attendant finished filling the car the suspect sped away without making payment. The vehicle was last seen west on Watchung Avenue.

Arrest May 25, 2022 (Bloomfield Avenue): A 22 year old male from Montclair was charged with Shoplifting after taking $200.00 worth of groceries from Whole Foods without making payment.

“The victim reported that his vehicle was entered and his wallet was stolen. The wallet contained $100 in cash and various credit cards.”

“The victim reported an unknown person entered his truck and stole his wallet. The wallet contained credit cards that were ultimately used at a Best Buy.”

I don’t understand the value of publishing a Police Blotter. How does it inform us?

First they quit identifying complexion of perp and now you want to end police blotters?! They are weekly snapshots of type and location of crimes events. Not as good as full fledged annual report the previous chief produced but better than nothing. Plus cop prose is its own form. And who knew there was black market for Honda catalytic converters.

Separately, Have you noticed how ubiquitous MPD officers are?! Do we need so many? The blotter suggest not a lot of serious crime happening but maybe that’s effect of so many cops

So, if we can just get people to lock their vehicles, our crime rate will be cut by mora than half?

PS: A bag of groceries from Whole Foods? 6 gallons of gas from Valero? Seriously?

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