WESTFIELD, NJ – A 15-year-old Newark male has been charged in connection with an attempted burglary at a Westfield residence on Christmas morning, authorities announced Monday.
According to Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro, the juvenile was among three males arrested in Newark on December 26 by the New Jersey State Police Auto Theft Task Force. The group was found in possession of a stolen 2026 white BMW X7 taken the previous day during a burglary in Chatham Borough, where the vehicle’s key fob had been stolen.
Investigators later identified the same BMW as the suspect vehicle in an attempted burglary that occurred around 11:27 a.m. December 25 at a home on the 700 block of Coolidge Street in Westfield. Police said three individuals tried to pry open a first-floor window using a crowbar, apparently targeting the homeowner’s high-end vehicles.
The 15-year-old was positively identified as one of the suspects and charged with second-degree burglary, second-degree conspiracy to commit burglary, and possession of burglary tools, a disorderly persons offense. He was processed and served with juvenile delinquency complaints while in custody at the Auto Theft Task Force and later lodged at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center on additional charges.
Chief Battiloro noted that nearby towns have seen similar incidents involving theft attempts targeting luxury vehicles and said Westfield officers have increased patrols in affected neighborhoods. He credited the New Jersey State Police Auto Theft Task Force with assisting in the identification of the suspect.
Police are continuing to investigate and urge anyone with information about the Coolidge Street case or related incidents to contact Detective Lieutenant Marcin Kapka at 908-789-6067 or mkapka@wpdnj.org.
A Newark teen has been charged in an attempted Westfield burglary tied to a stolen BMW used in a multi-town luxury vehicle theft scheme.