21-Year-Old Charged In Summit Luxury Car Thefts

SUMMIT, NJ — A 21-year-old Montclair man has been charged in connection with the theft of two luxury vehicles taken from a Summit-area car dealership, according to police.

The investigation began on Wednesday, June 24, when the Summit Police Department received a report that two vehicles — a 2022 Infiniti Q50 and a 2023 Infiniti Q50 — had been taken from the dealership during the overnight hours earlier in the week, police said.

Detectives with the department’s Detective Bureau began tracking the vehicles and were able to locate one in Queens, New York, and the second in Linden, New Jersey, according to police.

The Infiniti found in Queens was recovered shortly after it was located. The second vehicle, tracked to the Linden area, was also recovered without incident, police said.

As the investigation continued, police identified Nelson Clermont, 21, of Montclair, as a person connected to the thefts. Police said criminal complaints were approved charging him with multiple offenses, including conspiracy to commit motor vehicle theft and receiving stolen property.

Police said Clermont later turned himself in to the Summit Police Department on June 30. He was processed on the charges and later taken to the Union County Jail pending a first appearance in Superior Court.

Summit Police Chief Ryan Peters said the recovery of the vehicles happened quickly because of coordinated work between agencies.

“The rapid recovery of both stolen vehicles and the swift identification of a suspect are a direct reflection of the professionalism, determination, and investigative expertise of our Detective Bureau,” Peters said. “From the moment the theft was reported, our detectives worked tirelessly to locate the vehicles, preserve evidence, and identify those responsible.”

Peters also credited support from the New York State Police, the New York City Police Department, and the Linden Police Department.

“Criminal activity rarely respects municipal or state boundaries, making strong partnerships between law enforcement agencies more important than ever,” Peters said. “We are grateful for the outstanding cooperation and support provided by both the NYPD and the Linden Police Department.”

Police said the investigation is still active and additional charges could still follow.