Drug Distribution, Possession Charges Reported In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — Charges for distribution of drugs, possession of drugs, fraud and more were recently reported in Westfield.

Westfield Police Blotter – March 22 to March 28:

On March 22 at 12:56 p.m.: A resident of the 300 block of Orenda Circle reports a fraudulent electric utility account opened using their personal information. The victim did not suffer any monetary loss as a result of this incident.

On March 23 at 6:38 p.m.: Officers responded to the area of the 200 block of West North Avenue for an unwanted party. After a short period, officers found the man on Central Avenue near Quimby Street. The man provided officers with a false name and was later identified as Anthony Rivera. After further investigation, Anthony Rivera, 37, New York, NY, was placed under arrest for an out-of-state warrant and for hindering apprehension. Rivera was later also charged with distribution of CDS, possession of CDS, and possession of prescription legend drugs. He was taken to Westfield Police Headquarters and later lodged at the Essex County Jail awaiting extradition to New York.

On March 25 at 5:57 p.m.: Daniel Caraballo, 48, Freehold, was arrested at Westfield Police Department Headquarters under the strength of the following warrants:

• Freehold Township Municipal Court (NCIC - No Bail & ACS - $1,500)
• Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office (NCIC - No Bail)
• Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office (NCIC - No Bail)
• Newark Municipal Court (NCIC - No Bail & ACS - No Bail)
• South River Municipal Court (ACS - No Bail)
• Woodbridge Municipal Court (ATS - $1,500)

He was also charged by WPD with possession of CDS and false government documents. Caraballo was remanded to the Essex County Jail.

On March 27 at 9 a.m.: A resident of the 900 block of Prospect Street reported being a victim of fraud. The resident stated he saw unauthorized purchases for $3,600 on one of his credit cards. The resident stated he did not permit these transactions at any time and saw no other impact on other credit cards.

On March 27 at 2:27 p.m.: Officers responded to a business on Elm Street for a report of an unwanted party who came in the back door of the business. Employees chased the unwanted party out of the store and contacted the police. A short time later, officers located the suspect, identified as Marc Benton, 19, of Roselle. Benton was then placed under arrest on an active no-bail warrant out of Millburn. Benton was taken to Westfield Police headquarters, where he was processed and turned over to Millburn Police.

On March 28 at 12:37 p.m.: A resident of the 1200 block of Summit Avenue reported a fraudulent purchase on one of their credit cards. The resident said he saw an unauthorized purchase for $10,000 on one of his credit cards. The resident said he is at a monetary loss at this time.

On March 28 at 11:50 p.m.: Victor G. Veraacosta, 30, of East Orange, was placed under arrest by Officers Buccino and Bace on W. South Avenue and W. Broad Street on the strength of an outstanding traffic warrant issued by the Newark Municipal Court for $350, during a traffic stop on West South Avenue. Veraacosta was released on his own recognizance and ordered to appear at the Newark Municipal Court.

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