Theft, Fraud, Shoplifting, Warrant Arrests Reported In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — Fraud, shoplifting, car burglary, warrant arrests and more were reported in the latest Westfield Police blotter.

Westfield Police Blotter – Oct. 6 to Oct. 12:

On Oct. 6 at 3:02 a.m.: Westfield Police Officers conducted a random plate inquiry on a motor vehicle that was driving in the area of East South Avenue, near Central Avenue. The random plate inquiry revealed the registered owner of the vehicle, Connor W. Demars, 31, of Westfield, had an outstanding warrant for motor vehicle violations and multiple town ordinance violations. Demars was stopped nearby and advised of the outstanding warrants totaling $500. Demars was processed roadside and later released on his own recognizance with a new court date.

On Oct. 6 at 11 a.m.: A resident of the 700 block of Oak Avenue reported being the victim of fraud. The complainant states they received collection bills for four separate energy accounts, all based out of Texas, which were applied for fraudulently. The total amount of fraudulent charges was $2,942.58.

On Oct. 8 at 12:49 p.m.: A concerned citizen called the Westfield Police Department to report a suspicious bag that was left unattended by an unknown person at a bus stop vestibule located in the area of East North Avenue near Elm Street. Westfield Police officers responded to the area and inspected the bag which contained carpenter tools and food items. The bag was subsequently seized and secured at Westfield Police Station for safekeeping.

On Oct. 8 at 5 p.m.: A resident of the 800 block of Forest Avenue reports items stolen after being delivered. The resident states that he received notification of an "Amazon" order being delivered to his front steps at around 11 a.m. The resident arrived back to his home at around 6 p.m. and saw the items were missing. The total value of two items stolen is $50.

On Oct. 9 at 8:09 p.m.: A resident of the 900 block of Bailey Court reported a theft from within a package that was delivered to her residence. The resident reports that she received a package that appeared to be tampered with and after further inspection found that the item she ordered was not inside the box. The item is described as a 14k yellow gold bracelet worth $1,690. The item was delivered by "FedEx".

On Oct. 10 at 4:07 p.m.: A resident in the 600 block of Clark Street reports a theft of property. The resident states a delivered package was stolen from the front of their property. The resident reports they currently suffered a monetary loss of around $1,200.

On Oct. 10 at 9:11 p.m.: A business in the 1200 block of W. South Avenue reported a shoplifting that occurred. The approximate value of the shoplifting is more than $250. The actors selected various items and concealed the items on their person. The actors then left the business without paying for said items. The incident was reported the following day.

On Oct. 11 at 4:37 p.m.: Subsequent to a motor vehicle stop at Rahway Avenue and Watterson Street, Daniel Balaban, 48, Westfield, was arrested on the strength of an outstanding warrant out of Westfield. Balaban was released on scene on their own recognizance. Balaban was given a future court date to address the matter.

On Oct. 12 at 9:45 a.m.: A victim reported a burglary to their vehicle that resulted in a theft of property. The resident states that someone entered their parked vehicle at Tamaques Park and stole items from inside the vehicle. The victim reports around $30 in cash was in the vehicle at the time of theft. The victim reports that a credit card and a debit card as well as a blank check were stolen from the vehicle. The victim reports that someone improperly wrote and subsequently cashed the check that was stolen. The victim has suffered a monetary loss of about $2,000. The victim’s vehicle had no signs of damage, and it was unlocked at the time of the theft.

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