Machete Found Inside Car During DWI Stop In Westfield: Police

WESTFIELD, NJ — A driver charged with DWI and possession of a machete was among the reports in the latest Westfield Police blotter.

On March 27 at 3:20 p.m., Westfield Police Officers stopped a car for traffic offenses on Springfield Avenue near Woodbrook Circle.

During the stop, the driver, Thomas Odom, 56, of Stroudsburg, PA, was arrested for suspicion of driving while under the influence of intoxicating drugs or alcohol, said Westfield Police.

Several items used for the ingestion/inhalation and packaging of CDS were found throughout the interior cabin of the vehicle. A large machete was also found inside of the vehicle, said police.

Both Odom and the sole passenger, Melinda Schuenemann, 33, of Newark, who was also arrested on scene, were charged with possession of drug paraphernalia (other than marijuana/hashish).

Odom was also charged with unlawful possession of a weapon (machete).

Both arrestees were released on summonses with Union County Superior Court dates pending after being processed at the Westfield Police Department.

Odom was also released on his own recognizance by Newark Municipal Court for a $250 traffic warrant that was active at the time of the motor vehicle stop.

See the other Police Blotter items reported from March 26 to April 1:

The information provided does not represent the total scope of police activity. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

On March 26 at 2:04 a.m.: Michael Gonzalez, 22, of Linden, was arrested after a motor vehicle stop on the 400 block of East North Avenue. He was processed and released from the scene with a new court date.

On March 27 at 12:21 p.m.: A resident of the 600 block of Leigh Drive reports damage found to his vinyl siding and damage to his property's fence. The damage appears to be caused by rocks found in the immediate area and the fence appeared to be climbed on causing it to be dislodged. The property damage was caused by unknown suspects between March 25 and March 27.

On March 28 at around 3:57 p.m.: Westfield Police Officers conducted a motor vehicle stop on E. North Ave. at the Garwood border and found the driver to have an outstanding traffic warrant out of Cranford Municipal Court in the amount of $500. The driver, Meghan Lapolla, 33, of Garwood, was released on her own recognizance and issued a new Cranford Municipal Court date.

On March 29 at around 10:45 a.m.: A suspicious incident was reported. Residents on the 500 block of Tremont Avenue reported a van with darkly tinted windows sitting in front of a residence occupied by two men. One of the men reportedly exited the van and walked up to the front door of a residence. The man lifted the floor mat in front of the front door then walked back to the van. The van then left the area. There were no specific descriptors given in regards to the van or the male occupants.

On Mach 29 at around 11:26 a.m.: Westfield Police Officers conducted a motor vehicle stop for traffic offenses on Springfield Avenue near the Cranford border. The driver, Jessenia Padilla, 29, of Elizabeth, was found to have an outstanding criminal warrant out of Linden Municipal Court in the amount of $1,000. Padilla was released on her own recognizance from Westfield Police Department after being given a new Linden Municipal Court date.

On March 29 at 6:04 p.m.: A resident of Mohawk Trail reported their black-colored Mercedes GLS, was parked in the driveway unlocked at the time. The vehicle was entered and several items were taken without the owner's permission. This incident is related to a stolen motor vehicle, specifically a 2021 white-colored Ford Explorer, operating in the area with actors from the vehicle committing several similar crimes.

On March 30 at 5:51 a.m.: A 1100 block of Grandview Avenue resident reports witnessing unknown actor/s burglarize their vehicle while the vehicle was parked in their driveway. The actors opened the unlocked door of the vehicle and entered it. Additionally, the homeowner reported a burglary to their residence when the same unknown actor/s used a garage door opener in the vehicle to open the garage and enter the garage. The actors then exited the vehicle and garage after being alerted by the homeowner that had been awakened by the garage door opening. There were no items taken from the vehicle or the garage.

On March 30 at 12:34 p.m.: Representatives for a property at 700 block of E. Broad Street indicated suspicious activity on the property. The representatives stated a suspicious vehicle entered the property and then left. The suspicious vehicle then reentered the property and a man exited the vehicle. This man then approached another parked vehicle on the property. At this time a representative for the property started walking toward the man. The suspicious person then reentered the awaiting vehicle and fled the area. As per representatives, the suspicious person never had the opportunity to make an attempt to enter the parked vehicle.

On March 30 at 8:32 p.m.: A 400 block of Highland Avenue resident reported that a suspect entered into her unlocked garage and tried to steal a vehicle from within the garage. When the resident arrived at her residence, she noticed the garage door opened and the lights activated on the vehicle from inside the garage.

On April 1 at 1:12 a.m.: Emeka Chukwuneke, 35, of Philadelphia PA, was arrested at the North Brunswick Police Department for an outstanding Westfield Municipal Court Warrant. He was taken to Westfield Police Headquarters where he was processed and later transported to Union County Jail.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.