DWI, Unlawful Possession Of A Firearm, Fraud Reported In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — Police reported making arrests for driving while intoxicated, unlawful possession of a firearm, aggravated assault on a police officer, and more in the most recent blotter.

Westfield Police Blotter – April 14 to April 20:

On April 15 at 10 a.m.: A resident in the 300 block of Clark Street reported that someone accessed their computer indicating they needed to contact technical support. Said actor(s) then deceived the victim into removing funds from the resident’s account. The victim then used these funds to purchase prepaid and gift cards at the actor(s) direction. The actor(s) then accessed the cards purchased and emptied them. Currently, the victim has suffered a monetary loss. The resident stated that they are unaware who accessed their computer or how they created the "alert" which led them to contact the actor(s).

On April 15 at 10:15 a.m.: A victim in the 700 block Coleman Place reported their identity was stolen and that someone filed a fraudulent tax return with the Internal Revenue Service. The victim is unaware of what exact personal information was used to file the tax return, nor how the information was obtained. The victim has suffered no monetary loss at this time.

On April 15 at 10:24 p.m.: Westfield Police Officers conducted a motor vehicle stop in the 300 block of West South Avenue and found the driver to have an outstanding traffic warrant out of Union Township Municipal Court for $750. The driver, Keshon Carson, 25, South Plainfield, was released on scene with an R.O.R. after being processed roadside.

On April 18: A contractor working in the area of the 1100 block of Tice Place reported that two unknown men entered a residential job site at around 12 p.m. and removed tools and equipment from the site. The contractor reported a loss of approximately $5,979 worth of tools and equipment as a result of the incident.

On April 18 at 10:20 a.m.: A resident in the 800 block of Forest Avenue reported that they were the victim of identity theft. Specifically, someone established two lines of credit with different financial institutions in their name. The resident stated that they are unaware who opened the accounts without their authorization or what exact information was used to open the accounts. The victim reports no financial loss at this time.

On April 18 at 10:51 a.m.: Subsequent to a motor vehicle stop on Central Avenue and Quimby Steet, Aaliyah Bouza, 23, Newark, was arrested on the strength of an outstanding warrant from another jurisdiction. Bouza was released on scene on their own recognizance. Bouza was given a future court date to address the matter.

On April 18 at 12:57 p.m.: After receiving a 911 call regarding an erratic driver who may be in distress, a motor vehicle stop was conducted by Officer Testa when he located the vehicle in question on Central Avenue and Quimby Street. The subsequent investigation of the motor vehicle stop led to the driver, John Taylor, 60, of Westfield, being arrested for driving while intoxicated. Taylor was placed in the rear of a patrol vehicle and taken to Westfield Police Headquarters. At Westfield Police Headquarters the arrestee was processed and released on summonses to a sober adult with a future court date.

On April 18 at 4:56 p.m.: Jose Gomez, 30, Roselle, of was placed under arrest for unlawful possession of a firearm, pursuant to a police investigation in the area of 1100 block of Tice Place. Gomez was processed and taken to the Union County Jail to await his mandatory court date.

On April 18 at 5:12 p.m.: Westfield Police Department personnel received an alert for a silver Nissan sedan bearing a stolen license plate, which was later determined to be a stolen vehicle bearing a stolen fictitious license plate. After a motor vehicle pursuit with officers, Jason Burkett, 44, of Cockysville, Maryland was placed under arrest for resisting arrest / eluding, aggravated assault on officer, obstructing administration of the law, receiving stolen property, and criminal mischief. He was then processed and taken to the Union County Jail pending a mandatory court date.

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