Westfield Shoplifting Case Leads To Police Chase, Injured Officer

WESTFIELD, NJ — A report of shoplifting at a Westfield drugstore led to a police chase through four towns and the arrest of four suspects Thursday night. Officer Eric Carrero, who was involved in the chase, was injured but released from the hospital.

The Westfield police, who have been cracking down on car thefts this summer, said Friday that they also had recovered a stolen car involved in the chase.

Chief Christopher Battiloro said that the police responded Thursday to a report of a shoplifting at Walgreens on North Avenue around 8:34 p.m. Suspects reportedly fled the area in a vehicle traveling east.

Officer Carrero observed the suspect vehicle, confirmed that its license plate was reported
stolen, and pursued the vehicle into Garwood, through Cranford, and eventually into
Kenilworth, where it subsequently stopped on Market Street after striking Officer Carrero’s
patrol vehicle, police said.

Anthony Frazier, 50, Altriq Lampley, 47, Stuart Sanders, 50, and Sumac Shabazz,
46, all of Newark, were arrested and charged with shoplifting (a disorderly persons offense)
and two two counts of receiving stolen property (one count a third degree crime, the other count
a disorderly persons offense).

Additionally, Lampley, the driver of the suspect vehicle, was charged with eluding (a second degree crime), aggravated assault (a second degree crime), assault by auto (a fourth degree crime), criminal mischief (a disorderly persons offense) and hindering apprehension (a disorderly persons offense).

Following treatment at an area hospital, all arrested persons were transported to the Westfield Police Department for processing.

Frazier, Sanders and Shabazz were subsequently released on their own recognizance (R-O-R) after being served with complaint summonses. The police said they are continuing the investigation and more charges may come.

Lampley was served with a complaint warrant and remains in custody. He will be committed to the
Union County Detention Center in Elizabeth pending a detention hearing.

“Police pursuits are extremely dangerous,” stated Chief Battiloro, “And I commend the extraordinary efforts of Officer Carrero in bringing this one to an end without any injuries to innocent civilians."

Chief Battiloro also commended those additional responding Westfield and Kenilworth Police
Department officers who assisted in effecting the arrests.

“All of these officers undoubtedly put themselves in harm’s way to enforce the law and protect the public, and we owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude,” he stated.

Recently, the Westfield police have warned residents not to leave their cars unlocked. The chief believes the residents are being targeted for their "demonstrated complacency."

In the last two weeks, the Westfield police have arrested two sets of teenagers from other cities in connection with local car thefts.

Residents can immediately report all suspicious persons, vehicles and activities to the Westfield Police Department via 9-1-1.

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