Westfield Residents Catch Attempted Break-Ins On Security Cameras

WESTFIELD, NJ — Several Westfield residents told police recently that someone had attempted to enter their home overnight, a situation they only became aware of when they checked their Ring camera.

A Grant Avenue woman told police on Friday that she saw someone open a gate to her backyard at 3:36 a.m. that morning. She said the person then tried to slide open a screen in front of her sliding glass door. However, the screen and glass doors were locked and the person was unsuccessful. She said she saw the attempt on her Ring camera.

The same day, a Cherry Lane resident told police that at 4:13 a.m., someone attempted to enter the vehicle in his driveway. The vehicle was locked, so the person failed to gain entry. The resident said he saw the attempt on his Ring camera.

Also that day, a resident of Wychwood Road said someone entered her backyard around 3 a.m., then looked in her windows with a flashlight. The person pulled on the rear door, which was locked, so the person did not get in. The resident saw the incident on her security camera.

The unlucky (or unlocked)

Not everyone was as fortunate.

On Thursday, a resident of Prospect Street said his 2018 Toyota, valued at $35,000, was stolen from where it was parked in the road. It was unlocked with the keys inside. The person also had another car there that was entered, but nothing was stolen, said police.

On Friday, a resident of Wychwood Road reported that someone gained access to her home via a faulty door lock that was not properly latched. The person swiped $100 cash and an American Express card. The credit card was later found dropped outside the home.

Saturday, a person on Eton Place said someone entered her unlocked car, which was parked in her driveway, some time between 6 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday. The person took her registration and insurance cards, she said.

Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro has reminded residents in the recent past to not exhibit "demonstrated complacency" by leaving their cars unlocked.

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