Man Violently Assaulted Montclair Teen During Home Invasion: Cops – Patch.com

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Police arrested an Essex County man accused of assaulting a teen during a recent home invasion in Montclair, authorities announced Tuesday.

According to the Montclair Police Department, officers responded to an apartment on Hillside Avenue at 3:26 p.m. on Oct. 19 after getting a report about a burglary and assault.

Here’s what the victim told officers, police said:

“A 17-year-old female was home alone when an unknown male entered the apartment through an unlocked window and confronted her, demanding money. When the victim told the suspect that she did not have any money, he violently assaulted her to the point of unconsciousness before tying her up with bedsheets and placing her in a closet. The suspect then fled the scene. The victim eventually freed herself and escaped the apartment through a bathroom window and ran to a neighbor’s apartment for assistance.”

Montclair police said the victim was treated at a local hospital for facial injuries and later released.

Stolen items included electronics and jewelry, authorities said.

After conducting an investigation, Montclair detectives identified Anthony L. Harper, 30, of Newark, as the suspect in the Oct. 19 home invasion.

On Monday, officers with the NJ Transit Police Department at Newark Penn Station recognized Harper from statewide alerts put out by Montclair police and apprehended him, authorities said.

Authorities charged Harper with the following criminal offenses:

• Criminal Attempt – Murder
• Kidnapping
• Robbery
• Burglary
• Theft of Movable Property
• Terroristic Threats 3rd degree crime.
• Endangering an Injured Victim
• Aggravated Assault
• Criminal Restraint

Harper is in custody and awaiting transportation to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, police said.