WESTFIELD, NJ – The following incidents were reported by the Westfield Police Department representing a portion of calls responded to by officers between June 5-11, 2022. This police blotter does not list every report for service during that time.
DWI
Joel Benjamin (43) of Plainfield, NJ was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated by Officer Gill following a motor vehicle stop in the 600 block of West South Avenue. He was released to a sober adult pending court.
BURGLARY
An unknown suspect entered an open detached garage of a residence in the 800 block of Standish Avenue. The suspect was observed by the homeowner entering her 2019 White BMW and attempting to steal same. The suspect fled upon being confronted by the homeowner, and entered a White Mercedes sedan in the roadway being operated by a second suspect. The description of the suspect is a black male with a black mask and red hooded sweatshirt.
TRAIN STATION THEFT
On 6/6/2022 between the hours of 0700 and 1930 an unknown suspect(s) stole a bicycle valued at $400.00 from the Southside Train Station. Additionally, a $35.00 lock and a $160.00 Child Seat were taken with the bicycle.
MOTOR VEHICLE BURGLARY
An unknown suspect attempted to gain entry to several motor vehicles parked on the 500 block of Lenox Avenue. A resident of this block observed the burglary attempts and notified Westfield Police as the suspects fled in a dark colored high end SUV.
IDENTITY THEFT
A resident reports that unknown actor(s) unlawfully accessed a social media account. The actor(s) then secured email addresses and contact information through the compromised account. The actor(s) then attempted to commit a fraud by trying to transfer funds of the victim’s to another account. This transaction was not completed and the victim suffered no monetary loss.
FRAUD
A resident reported that while she was on vacation she received a call from a JP Morgan Chase representative in regards to a potential sale of stock from her IRA account. The transaction was immediately stopped and the account was frozen. The victim suffered no monetary loss.
FRAUD – IDENTITY THEFT
A resident states that on December 16, 2021, an unknown actor(s) took out a loan for $7,000.00 utilizing the his social security number and address. The resident stated that he was notified that his FICO score had been lowered as a result of missed payments. Upon further review, he was able to determine that a loan had been taken out and that a balance of $6,480.00 remains left on the loan. The unknown actor(s) made two payments and then stopped all payments on the loan. The resident has suffered no monetary loss at this time.
ELDERLY MAN CUT CABLE
An employee of a business located on the 100 block of Quimby Street reported an act of criminal mischief. An elerdy male, described as a 60 to 70 year old white male, average height, white hair, wearing a blue baseball hat, black sunglasses, black mask, a plaid gray and white button down shirt, black watch, blue jeans, black and white sneakers, cut a four foot long cable and a master lock used to secure a ladder to a fence. The approximate value of the damaged cable is $5.00. Nothing was reported missing.
SUSPICIOUS PERSON
A resident of Embree Cresent reported a suspicious vehicle. The vehicle, described as a black BMW sedan with all tinted windows, stopped on Clark Street. A black male exited the rear passenger seat and walked up the driveway of a residence on Clark Street and began pulling on car door handles. The suspect was dressed all in black and was wearing a white surgical mask. Westfield Police located the suspect vehicle, which immediately fled in a reckless manner northbound on Prospect Street. This vehicle was later confirmed to be stolen on 6/8/2022 from West Long Branch.
TEENS INVOLVED IN ROBBERY AND ASSAULT
A 15-year-old male reported being the victim of a Robbery. While standing on the 200 block of East Broad Street, the victim was attacked by a group of approximately five other males, believed to also be juveniles. The suspects punched the victim and knocked him to the ground, at which time they continued to punch and kick the victim. At some time during the attack, the victim’s hat and sneakers were stolen from him. A video of this assault was taken by an unknown party and uploaded onto social media.