Thieves Steal Residents' Identities, Try To Sell Their Westfield Home: Cops

WESTFIELD, NJ — Multiple reports of fraud and identity theft were reported last week in Westfield including one report of identity thieves trying to sell a town resident's home without their permission.

On April 8 at noon, residents in the 700 block of Lawrence Avenue reported their identity was stolen and that someone used their identity to create fake New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission driver's licenses, said Westfield Police.

The alleged thieves then used the fake driver's licenses to try to sell the victims' home in another town, said police.

The realtor company that was contacted to sell the victims' property realized that the people he was talking with were not the actual property owners and no sale took place. The victim has suffered no monetary loss at this time, said police.

See below for other Westfield Police Blotter items from April 2 to 8:

On April 6 at 3:15 p.m.: Lyas P. Smith, 23, of New Brunswick, was placed under arrest for hindering apprehension pursuant to a further investigation subsequent to a motor vehicle stop in the area of North Scotch Plains Ave near Roosevelt Street. Smith was taken to Westfield Police Headquarters where he was processed and released on a summons pending a court appearance at the Westfield Municipal Court.

On April 6 at 7:43 p.m.: An Azela Terrace resident reported being a victim of fraud and identity theft. According to the resident, someone used his identity to change his address with New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Additionally, someone used his identity to make two unauthorized fraudulent withdrawals from his bank account. Total amount of money withdrawn from the victim's account is $2,700. The victim canceled the bank accounts and disputed both fraudulent withdrawals.

On April 8 at 1:07 a.m.: Joel Alexander, 46, of East Elmhurst, NY, was arrested pursuant to a motor vehicle stop on E. Dudley Avenue and Elm Street for an outstanding South Plainfield Municipal Court Warrant. He was processed and released with a new court date.

On April 8 at 1:48 p.m.: A resident in the 110 block of Columbus Avenue reports their identity was stolen and that someone requested a fraudulent address change with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Service as a part of the identity theft. The victim has suffered no monetary loss at this time.

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.

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