Teen Arrested Twice In Connection With Westfield Car Thefts

WESTFIELD, NJ — After a 16-year-old Newark boy was arrested in mid-July for possession of a stolen BMW from Westfield, the teen was arrested the following week in connection with a new stolen car from Westfield — only after the latter car crashed into a police vehicle.

Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle said Friday that back on July 25, a resident of the 400 block of Beechwood Place reported that his 2020 Dodge Durango had been stolen from the driveway of his residence during the early morning hours. The vehicle had been left unlocked with its key fob in it.

The car was recovered in Newark later that day by the Newark Police Department, after it crashed into a police vehicle.

Several people were arrested in connection with possession of the stolen vehicle, including the same 16-year-old who'd been arrested a week earlier for possession of a 2017 BMW X5 reported stolen from Cherokee Court in Westfield on July 17. READ MORE: BMW Stolen In Westfield Is Found In Newark; Teen Arrested

Brindle said that so far this year, 18 vehicles have been reported stolen in Westfield, 16 recovered.

Of the 18 stolen, 16 were unlocked with their keys or key fobs in them at the time of the thefts, she said.

She and Police Chief Battiloro have reminded residents to lock their car doors.

Country Club Car Thefts

The pair noted recently that car thefts from Union County country clubs are on the upswing. Cars Are Being Stolen At Union County Country Clubs

Brindle said that on Aug. 5, at approximately 5:40 p.m., people spotted a 2020 gray Audi occupied by four to five men in the private parking lot of Echo Lake Country Club. One of its occupants exited the vehicle and was making his way toward two parked BMWs when he noticed his actions were being observed. He returned to the Audi, which left. The vehicle was identified by its registration as stolen from Montclair earlier in the day, Brindle said.

She said that on the same date, two car thefts were reported at country clubs in Morris Township during the late afternoon hours.

Other Recent Westfield Car Thefts And Related Reports

• On July 25, a resident of Willow Grove Road reported that home security footage captured a thin male wearing a hooded sweatshirt and white sneakers attempting to enter a 2021 Audi wagon around 3 a.m. The wagon was parked in the driveway of her residence. The vehicle was locked so the person didn't get in.
• Also on July 25, a resident of the 30 block of Normandy Drive reported that home security footage captured a thin male wearing a hooded sweatshirt and white sneakers entering his 2013 BMW X5 while it was parked in the driveway of his residence at approximately 3:38 a.m. This vehicle was left unlocked, but no key fob was present in the vehicle.
• On Aug. 2, someone reported the theft of her 2020 Volvo SUV from the driveway of her family member’s residence located on Edgewood Avenue at approximately 1:58 p.m. It was left unlocked and unattended with its ignition running at the time of theft, police said. The 2020 Volvo SUV was recovered in Newark several hours later as a result of the efforts of our officers assigned to the New Jersey State Police Auto Theft Task Force.
• On Aug. 6, a resident of Breeze Knoll Drive reported their 2021 Infinity QZ80 stolen from their driveway. They made the report at 10:05 p.m. Since this was hours after Brindle sent out her last weekly update, that car was not counted among the 18 thefts. Counting that car, 19 cars have been stolen from Westfield this year.

Brindle had advised earlier that day, "Please continue to report all suspicious persons, vehicles and/or activities immediately to the police via 9-1-1. Chief Battiloro advises that officers responding to residents’ reports of suspicious vehicles, persons, and activities have undoubtedly prevented additional vehicle burglaries and thefts from occurring."

Residents have been calling police in Westfield, reporting cars driving slowly in their neighborhood, and intruders caught on security cameras. READ MORE: Westfield Residents Report 'Suspicious' People, Vehicles

Recent Westfield And Union County Car Theft Stories

• Summit Car Thefts For July
• One Car, Two Bikes Stolen In Westfield
• Cars Are Being Stolen At Union County Country Clubs
• 3 Police Are Injured As Westfield Teen Is Charged In Car Thefts
• Running Mercedes With Top Down Is Swiped At Mountainside 7-11

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