Crime & Safety
Hooded, Masked Burglars Break Into Westfield Home With Residents Inside: Police
Three people went inside the occupied home early Monday morning, stole car keys from the kitchen, and stole 2 vehicles in the driveway: PD.
WESTFIELD, NJ — Three hooded and masked burglars broke into a Westfield home with residents inside to steal car keys and two cars from the driveway on Monday morning, said Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro.
On Sept. 30 at around 2:46 a.m., the Westfield Police Department got a report from an alarm company of an activated burglar alarm at a home on the 100 block of East Dudley Avenue.
Then a 911 call from the resident reported that a 2024 BMW X7 was just stolen from the driveway, said Battiloro.
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Officers found forced entry into the home through a front window and that a second vehicle – a 2022 Porsche Macan – was also stolen from the home, said Battiloro.
Three people - all were wearing hoods and mask - broke into the occupied home. Once one of them found the keys to the vehicles in the kitchen, all three fled through the front door, leaving it wide open behind them, said Battiloro.
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"It is readily apparently the vehicles parked outside were their intended target," said Battiloro.
As of Monday, there have been 10,850 vehicles reported stolen in New Jersey – an average of 40 per day – and 32 within the last 24 hours.
"While this total number marks a 12 percent decrease to date statewide from last year, vehicle theft remains a very significant problem – particularly in Union County, where vehicle theft is only down 2 percent to date from last year – and where 29 vehicles were reported stolen just last week," said Battiloro.
"The Westfield Police Department remains fully committed to combating vehicle theft," said Battiloro.
Before this burglary, only three vehicles were reported stolen in Westfield thus far this year. Read More: Auto Thefts Drop 87 Percent In Westfield In 2024 Due To Rise In Police Pursuits
Residents are strongly urged to always remain alert – regardless of the hour of the day – and to immediately report any suspicious persons, vehicles and/or activities via 9-1-1.
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