Street Signs Vandalized, Fraud, Bike Theft Reported In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — Criminal mischief on signs in Town, bike theft, and fraud were reported in Westfield over the past week, according to the latest blotter.

Westfield Police Blotter – Nov. 26 to Dec. 2:

On Nov. 27 at 12:55 p.m.: Street signs on Elm Street and Newton Place belonging to the Town of Westfield were vandalized. The criminal mischief consisted of spray paint on the signs. No symbols or wording was spray painted. The signs were simply covered with spray paint. The criminal mischief did not create a hazardous situation. The cost to replace the signs is unknown at this time.

On Nov. 28: A resident of the 700 block of Fourth Avenue reported that a suspect fraudulently charged around $18,368.83 on a credit card account.

On Nov. 28 at 1:58 p.m.: A citizen located a piece of jewelry on Clark Street between Brightwood Avenue and West Dudley Avenue. This item is being kept for safekeeping at Westfield Police Headquarters.

On Nov. 29 at 1:34 p.m.: A resident of the 800 block of Tice Place reported being the victim of a scam where her identity and banking information may have been compromised. The victim received an email claiming that she was charged an amount of money for "GeekSquad" membership. She then called the number provided to dispute this payment. The operator walked the victim through a process including downloading applications so that they could remotely access her computer. While access was gained, she opened her bank account and was told that she was accidentally credited $20,000 more than she should have been. The victim was then asked to withdraw that amount and would be given further instructions. At this time the victim realized this was a scam and terminated the phone call. The bank account that was accessed has been frozen and there has been no monetary loss reported at this time.

On Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m.: Officer Perconte responded to the 400 block of Channing Avenue for a report of a theft of a bicycle. He met with the resident who advised him that at around 8:20 a.m. he secured his bicycle on one of the bicycle racks at the Northside Train Station, specifically near the rear of the Westfield Fire Station. Additionally, he used a bicycle lock as well. When he returned at around 6:30 p.m., he saw the bicycle lock was cut, and his bicycle was missing. He described the bicycle as a silver-colored "10-speed" style, with an approximate value of $100.

On Nov. 30 at 1:24 a.m.: Rondineli Ferreira, 41, Parsippany was placed under arrest on the strength of an active Newark Municipal Court ATS warrant for $2,000 by Officers Bace and Pollock after a motor vehicle stop at W. South Avenue and Tuttle Parkway. Ferreira was taken to Westfield Police Headquarters where he was processed and RORed by Newark Municipal Court with a pending court date.

On Nov. 30 at 10 a.m.: A resident of the 700 block of Forest Avenue reported being a victim of fraud. According to the victim, he mailed out a check which was endorsed to a family member. This check was then intercepted by someone and endorsed in another person's name. After learning that the check was cashed by an unknown person, the victim notified his financial institution and received a refund in the full amount of the check.

On Nov. 30 at 12:45 p.m.: A resident of the 600 block of Roosevelt Avenue reported being a victim of fraud. The victim said that his former friend opened his mail and cashed a $2,417.49 check which was endorsed in his name.

On Nov. 30 at 1:48 p.m.: A resident reported a theft of a mail package from the front porch of his residence located in the 600 block of Kimball Ave. According to the victim, a package containing a $1,500 cell phone was delivered to his residence. Shortly thereafter, another delivery company employee stole the package that was left on the porch earlier.

On Dec. 1 at 3:45 p.m.: A resident of the 200 block of Hazel Avenue reported an incident of theft. According to the resident, his financial institution informed him about fraudulent activity in his bank accounts. After contacting his financial institution, he learned that someone opened a fraudulent account in his name. Suspect(s) then made three electronic transfers for $9,800, with a total amount of fraudulent transactions of $29,400.

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