Counterfeit Money Passed At Westfield Businesses: Blotter

WESTFIELD, NJ — Check washing, criminal mischief, package theft, and counterfeit money being passed at Westfield businesses were recently reported in the police blotter.

Westfield Police Blotter – Feb. 9 to Feb. 15:

On Feb. 9 at 5:48 a.m.: While on patrol, an officer saw criminal mischief to a stop sign on Hillside Avenue and Mountainview Circle. The damage was a word written on the sign with a marker or paint. The cost of the damage to repair or replace the stop sign is unknown at this time.

On Feb. 12 at 4:05 p.m.: A business in the 200 block of East North Avenue reported counterfeit currency was passed at their establishment during business hours.

On Feb. 12 at 4:05 p.m.: A secondary business in the 200 block of East North Avenue reported counterfeit currency was passed at their establishment during business hours.

On Feb. 13 at 12:56 p.m.: A resident of the 900 block of Carleton Road reported a package theft. A suspect approached the front porch of the home and stole a package valued at around $400.

On. Feb. 13 at 2:35 p.m.: A resident of the 900 block of Central Ave. reported being the victim of fraud. The victim states an unknown person has been using their EZ-pass account, but was unable to provide further information.

On Feb. 14 at 4:11 a.m.: A patrol officer found damage to the door on a vacant property in the 500 block of East North Avenue. The door, which led into the property, was found with visible glass and frame damage.

On Feb. 14 at 9:15 a.m.: A resident of the 900 block of Woodmere Drive reported that an unknown person obtained a check he had written to an insurance company, washed it, and re-wrote the $1,500.32 for $6,425.30 before fraudulently cashing it.

On Feb. 14 at 10:06 p.m.: An employee of the 900 block of West South Avenue reported a burglary to the employee's motor vehicle. The employee's vehicle was found with a smashed passenger front window. The employee stated a bag was taken from the motor vehicle with a credit card inside of it. Nothing else pertinent was reported missing at this time.

On Feb. 15 at 2:30 p.m.: A resident of Scotch Plains reported to the Westfield Police that they were a victim of theft and fraud. According to the victim, while shopping at a store in the 100 block of Elm Street, an unknown person took her wallet and cell phone from the shopping cart. The victim's credit card was then fraudulently used to make a purchase in Union Township. The estimated value of the stolen property is around $3,000.

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