3 Cars Stolen, Attempted Home Burglary Reported In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — Multiple cars stolen, an attempted home burglary, fraud, and more were reported recently in Westfield.

Westfield Police Blotter – March 16 to March 22:

On March 16 at 4:50 p.m.: Justion Harris Jr., 39, of Williamsport, PA, was arrested on the strength of a criminal warrant at the Elizabeth Police Department Headquarters, taken to Westfield Police Department Headquarters, then released upon the issuance of an ROR.

On March 17 at 2:30 a.m.: Unknown suspects tried to gain entry to a residence in the 1000 block of Grandview Avenue. The actors tried to make entry through a side window of the home but were unsuccessful.

On March 17 at 2:30 a.m.: Unknown suspects committed a residential burglary and subsequent motor vehicle theft from a home on the 1100 block of Ripley Avenue. The suspects made entry through a side window, removed keys to a 2025 BMW from within the residence, and then fled in the victim's vehicle. The suspects were seen on a residential surveillance camera by the homeowner and described as two black men. The value of the stolen vehicle was around $94,450.

On March 17 at 4:39 p.m.: A resident of the 800 block of Mountain Avenue reported being the victim of fraud. The victim stated she received an e-mail earlier in the day advising her that a credit inquiry was conducted utilizing her name and social security number to apply for a Discover credit card. Further inquiry revealed the card had already been approved.

On March 18 at 5 p.m.: Pursuant to a police investigation, Carlos Rojas-Esteban, 32, of unknown, Joselin Alvarez, 36, of unknown, and Esthefani Rojas, 37 of Lakewood, were all charged with the following: theft by deception (third-degree), theft by unlawful taking (third-degree), use of a stolen credit card (third-degree), use of a credit card with intent to defraud (third-degree), and unlawfully taking, obtaining, or receiving credit cards (fourth-degree). All three actors were processed and remanded to the Union County Jail.

On March 19 at 5:35 a.m.: A resident from the 400 block of Baker Avenue reported the theft of his motor vehicle. According to the victim, the vehicle was parked in the driveway of his home when it was stolen in the early morning hours of March 19. Surveillance video captured a person walking up the driveway and proceeding to steal the vehicle, which was unlocked with the keys inside. The value of the stolen vehicle was around $30,000.

On March 19 at 12 p.m.: A resident of the 1200 block of Summit Avenue reported being a victim of fraud. The resident states they received a call from what appeared to be a representative from AT&T inquiring about an unauthorized purchase. The resident was instructed to confirm account log on information in order to cancel the unauthorized purchase. A short time later, the resident received an email detailing the purchase of an iPad and two iPhone which they had not authorized.

On March 20 at 4:11 a.m.: A commercial burglar alarm activation at a business located on the 300 block of Springfield Avenue resulted in officers finding an open garage door and forced entry into the front door of the business. A 2021 BMW X5 was confirmed stolen from the establishment as well as around $200 was removed from the unsecured register. The value of the stolen vehicle was around $60,000.

On March 21 at 1:37 a.m.: Angel Mateo, 39, of Hillside, was arrested for DWI for operating his motor vehicle under the influence in the area of 1500 block of Lamberts Mill Road. Mateo was processed at Westfield Police Headquarters and released with multiple summonses with a pending court date.

On March 21 at 5 a.m.: A resident of the 500 block of Clark Street reports that his unlocked motor vehicle had been entered overnight and rummaged through. An iPhone 7 valued at around $200 and around $3 in coin currency was removed from the vehicle.

On March 21 at 9:40 a.m.: Gavin Flagler, 33, of Elizabeth, was placed under arrest on the strength of an outstanding traffic warrant out of the Union Township Municipal Court for $300 as a result of a motor vehicle stop. Flagler was released on his own recognizance with a new court date.

On March 21 at 11:40 a.m.: A business owner from the 500 block of Central Avenue reported a motor vehicle burglary of a company vehicle. The vehicle was parked in the roadway during the night on March 20. The next morning, the owner discovered items missing from the vehicle. The estimated value of items stolen was around $7,180. The victim is not sure if the vehicle was locked or unlocked at the time of the burglary.

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