Fraud, Theft, Warrant Arrest Reported In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — Fraud, theft and a warrant arrest were reported in the latest police blotter.

Westfield Police Blotter – Nov. 17 to Nov. 23:

On Nov. 17: A resident of the 800 block of Fourth Avenue reported that they were the victim of fraudulent charges to a credit card account. The resident states that an actor made fraudulent charges without their approval or authorization. The resident is currently at a financial loss of more than $1,000.

On Nov. 18 at 7:29 p.m.: A resident of the 500 block of Clifton Street reported being the victim of fraud. The resident states they received a call from what appeared to be JP Morgan Chase about fraudulent transactions on a business account. The caller then instructed the victim to use a Zelle account to reverse the transactions. After transferring about $5,000 to various accounts, the victim realized it was a scam.

On Nov. 20 at 9:10 a.m.: A representative of a business in the 100 block of E. Broad Street reported that someone entered their parked vehicle at some point and stole the E-ZPass transponder from inside the vehicle. The victim reports the cost of the E-ZPass transponder is $9. The representative of the business also reports around $800 in fraudulent charges to the E-ZPass account related to the stolen transponder. The representative of the business stated the vehicle had no signs of damage and appears it was unlocked at the time of the theft.

On Nov. 23 at 11:41 a.m.: A business owner on the 100 block of Elm Street reported $70 worth of newspapers being stolen from his store. This occurred on Nov. 23 between 6 and 9 a.m.

On Nov. 23 at 11:06 p.m.: Joseph Ortu, 51, Cranford, was placed under arrest on the strength of an active Somerset County Sheriffs NCIC warrant for $29,797.95 by Officers Jacques and Bace after a motor vehicle stop. While being placed under arrest, Ortu was also found to be in possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. Ortu was taken to Westfield Police Headquarters where he was processed and turned over to the Somerset County Sheriffs.

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