Westfield Resident Calls 911 As Burglars Try To Break-In, 4 Arrested: Police

WESTFIELD, NJ — A fast-acting resident awoke early Saturday morning and called 911 as burglars tried to break into his home, said Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro.

His quick actions led police to arrest four people.

On Nov. 23 at around 4:28 a.m., a resident of the 500 block of Benson Place dialed 911 to report two people were in his driveway.

The resident said his burglar alarm had just been activated. After looking at his video surveillance
footage, he determined these people were just in his backyard trying to gain entry to his home through a garage window, said Battiloro.

Both people were dressed in dark-colored clothing, with one of them wearing a ski mask and gloves, and the other one wearing a hooded sweatshirt and gloves.

Detective Andres Jaramillo went to the area and while searching the neighborhood on foot, found a dark-colored Audi parked nearby on Stevens Avenue.

Jaramillo saw a woman seated in the driver's seat and a second person seated in the front passenger seat. Both people were trying to conceal themselves, said Battiloro.

Jaramillo ordered the driver to remove the key from the vehicle’s ignition and saw two more people concealing themselves in the rear passenger seat, said Battiloro.

Upon further investigation, which included a review of the resident’s video camera surveillance, it was determined that the people hiding the rear passenger seat were those who tried to gain entry
to the home.

They were identified as Imanni Williams, an 18-year-old woman from Newark, and a 17-year-old man also from Newark.

Burglary tools, gloves, and a ski mask were also found inside the vehicle.

It was determined that both subjects entered the resident’s backyard and first tried to open a door
leading into the garage. Then one of them used a tool to force open a garage window which caused
the burglar alarm to activate, said Battiloro.

Both Williams and the male juvenile were arrested and charged with the following:

• Burglary, a crime of the third-degree
• Possession of Burglar Tools, a disorderly persons offense
• Criminal Trespass, a petty disorderly persons offense
• Criminal Mischief, a crime of the fourth degree

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Naomi Kuleke, a 20-year-old woman from West Orange, was arrested and charged with the following:

• Burglary, a crime of the third-degree
• Burglar’s Tools, a disorderly persons offense
• Obstructing Administration of Law or Other Governmental Function, a crime of the fourth degree.

The front seat passenger of the vehicle, identified as Iasiah Flynn, an 18-year-old man also from West Orange, was arrested and charged with the following:

• Burglar’s Tools, a disorderly persons offense

"We strongly urge residents to immediately report all suspicious persons, vehicles and/or activities via 911," said Battiloro. "This resident’s actions in doing so were critical to responding officers locating, identifying, and arresting these criminals."

All four arrested were processed at the Westfield Police Department and released from custody on their own recognizance after being served with complaint summonses.

Third-degree crimes generally carry a sentence of between 3 and 5 years in a state prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Fourth-degree crimes carry a sentence of up to 18 months in a state prison and a fine up to $10,000. Disorderly persons offenses carry a maximum sentence of up to 6 months in a county jail and a fine up to $1,000. Petty disorderly persons offenses carry a maximum sentence of 30 days in a county jail and a fine up to $500.

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