'Irate' Man Assaults Westfield Store Employee During Robbery: Blotter

WESTFIELD, NJ — A man is accused of assaulting a store employee and robbery in Westfield.

On Sept. 16 at 4:47 p.m., employees from a business on the 0-100 block of Elm Street reported that someone entered the store, was asked for identification to buy age-restricted items and became violent and irate, according to the police blotter.

The person, identified as Timothy Farrell, 29, of Suwanee, GA, then grabbed a bottle from a shelf and threw it at one employee before grabbing another and fleeing on foot without paying, said police.

A second employee tried to stop Farrell outside the business, at which time Farrell punched the employee with a closed fist and kicked him while he was on the ground before fleeing, said police.

Detectives Merritt and Bagan found Farrell near North Avenue near Central Avenue and placed him under arrest.

Farrell was charged with second-degree robbery, simple assault (a disorderly persons offense), and two counts of theft by unlawful taking (a disorderly persons offense).

Farrell was lodged in the Essex County Jail.

Other Westfield Police Blotter – Sept. 13 to Sept. 19:

On Sept. 13 at 8:27 p.m.: Officers saw two people on e-bikes on Traffic Circle, one of whom had previously fled from officers, in the area of the Traffic Circle. Both people fled when officers tried to apprehend the previously identified rider.

On Sept. 14 at 1:13 a.m.: Officers conducted a motor vehicle stop on Maximillia M. Kelly, 28, of Mountainside, in the area of West Dudley Avenue and Clark Street. An active Fanwood ATS warrant was found for $500. Kelly was arrested and then released on scene upon the issuance of a ROR.

On Sept. 14 at 9:55 p.m.: Officers responded to the area of Lawrence Avenue and Hillside Avenue on a report of a motor vehicle accident. Following an investigation, the driver, Jack Zelicskovics, 45, of Scotch Plains, was subsequently arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated.

On Sept. 15 at 2:45 a.m.: Arielle Burgos, 28, of Westfield, was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated after a report of a suspicious motor vehicle in the area of the 400 block of Boulevard. Burgos was taken to Westfield Police Headquarters. Upon arrival, Burgos was processed and issued several motor vehicle summonses with a mandatory Westfield Municipal Court date.

On Sept. 19 at 11:11 p.m.: Officers were dispatched to the area of Effingham Place and Prospect Street for a report of a motor vehicle collision. Following an investigation, Matthew T. Aslanian, 50, of Westfield, was arrested for DWI. He was later released upon the issuance of summonses.

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