Fraud, Car Burglaries, DUI Crash Reported In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — Multiple reports of fraud and car burglaries were reported recently in Westfield.

Westfield Police Blotter from Jan. 28 to Feb. 3:

On Jan. 28 at 6:24 p.m.: A resident from the area of Cottage Place, near the intersection of Tice Place, reports that the trunk of his unlocked Toyota sedan was burglarized sometime between the hours of 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, and 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 28. The victim states only the trunk appears to be rummaged through and reports a printer valued at around $200 was removed from the vehicle.

On Jan. 29 at 4:48 a.m.: A resident of the 300 block of Orenda Circle reported a burglary to their vehicle that resulted in a theft of property. The resident states that someone entered their parked vehicle overnight and stole the victim’s wallet from inside the vehicle. The victim reports around $300 in cash was in the wallet at the time of theft. The victim reports that remaining contents of the wallet that were stolen had an approximate value of more than $300. The resident’s vehicles had no signs of damage and appears they were unlocked at the time of the theft. The resident was subsequently a victim of fraud when a credit card in their stolen wallet was used without their authorization in another jurisdiction.

On Jan. 29 at 12:40 p.m.: A Topping Hill Road resident reported that they were the victim of identity theft. Specifically, someone established an account with a store in their name. The resident stated that they are unaware who opened the account without their authorization. It was also determined the information used to open the account was publicly available. The victim reports no financial loss at this time.

On Jan. 29 at 12:58 p.m.: Jose Pashmayyaguana, 37, of Harrison, was stopped by the Westfield Police Department while operating a motor vehicle. He was stopped in the area of East Broad Street and Elm Street for having an outstanding traffic warrant out of Newark. The warrant was for the amount of $750. Newark Municipal Court released Pashmayyaguana on his own recognizance with a new court date in the near future.

On Jan. 30 at 11:45 a.m.: A resident in the 200 block of Orchard Street reports that someoone used their identity to access an account with a financial institution. Said actor(s) then electronically transferred a large sum of funds from the resident’s account. However, the resident was able to contact the financial institution before the transfer was finalized. Currently, the victim has suffered no monetary loss. The resident also reported that an account was opened using their identity without their authorization. This account was closed upon being discovered.

On Jan. 31 at 11:39 a.m.: Westfield Police were dispatched to a vehicle in the roadway with a driver appearing to be unconscious at E. Dudley Avenue and Highland Avenue. Officers P/C Ofc. Weiss, P/C Ofc. Jaramillo, Ofc. O' Holla, Ofc. Taha, and Ofc. Testa arrived on the scene. Upon determining no emergent medical issue was ongoing, an investigation took place which led to the arrest of the driver, Mohamed Eman, 42, Parlin, for driving while impaired. Also, on scene the driver was arrested for numerous CDS possession charges. Further investigation led to additional CDS distribution criminal charges. The driver was later released to a sober adult after being processed and given a future court date in Union County Superior Court.

On Jan. 31 at 12:15 p.m.: A resident in the 100 block of Summit Court reports that they were the victim of fraudulent charges to a credit card account. The resident states that someone made fraudulent charges without his approval or authorization. The resident reports there were several separate incidents of fraudulent charges. The resident stated fraudulent charges occurred and they took the appropriate reported actions. The resident has suffered a financial loss of over $1,500.

On Feb. 1 at 12:44 p.m.: A business located in the 200 block of East Broad Street reported being a victim of fraud. According to the owner, between Jan. 26 and Jan. 30, someone tried to make several fraudulent withdrawals from his business bank account. All attempted transactions were declined by the financial institution and there was no financial loss.

On Feb. 1 at 5:44 p.m.: A resident in the 100 block of Ayliffe Avenue reported that they were the victim of fraudulent charges to their Bank of America checking account. The resident states that someone made fraudulent charges without their approval or authorization. The resident reports there were 11 separate sets of incidents of fraudulent charges. The resident has suffered no financial loss at this time.

On Feb. 2 at 11:07 a.m.: A resident of the 400 block of Poe Ave reported an incident of attempted fraud. According to the resident between Jan. 29 and Jan. 31, someone made several attempts to access his online bank accounts. The financial institution and bank accounts flagged this fraudulent activity were frozen before any financial transactions could be made.

On Feb. 2 at 4:27 p.m.: A resident of the 400 block of First Street reported being a victim of fraud. On Feb. 1, the victim contacted an unknown individual through a social media platform and agreed to purchase patio furniture for $400. She was then provided with information to make a Zelle bank transfer in the amount of $200 as a down payment. Once the transfer was made, the victim tried to contact the seller several times to arrange a pickup, however, she was unsuccessful.

On Feb. 3 at 12:35 a.m.: Westfield Police conducted a motor vehicle stop in the 200 block of West North Ave and found the driver, Freddy Collado, 39, Perth Amboy, to have an outstanding no bail criminal warrant out of Perth Amboy Municipal Court. Collado, was arrested, processed, and subsequently turned over to the Perth Amboy Police Department.

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