Burglar Climbs Through Window With Westfield Homeowner Inside: Cops

WESTFIELD, NJ — Multiple attempted home and car burglaries were reported in Town last week, including one where a resident was home at the time, according to the Westfield Police Blotter.

On July 25 at 1:42 p.m., a resident of the 500 block of Edgar Road reports a burglary to the residence while he was in the home.

A suspect removed a window screen and then broke a lock while forcefully opening a locked first-floor window, said Westfield Police.

The suspect then began entering the window when he saw the resident in the room, said police.

The suspect immediately fled the area on foot and Westfield Police were called.

The suspect is described as a man with a heavy build wearing a dirty gray shirt. No other descriptors could be given. Detectives processed the scene and the investigation is ongoing.

Other Westfield Police Blotter items from July 23 to July 29:

On July 23 at 8 a.m.: A resident of the 700 block of Newark Avenue reports an attempted burglary to her motor vehicle with subsequent damage to the vehicle. The victim's vehicle was parked on her property between the overnight hours of July 22 and 23. The victim found her vehicle's door lock tampered with and the cylinder broken in the morning hours of July 23. The monetary amount of damage reported is unknown at this time.

On July 24 at 3 a.m.: A resident of the 800 block of Tice Place reports an attempted burglary to his home. The victim reports that during the overnight hours between July 23 and 24, he heard glass breaking near his residence. After hearing the noise he observed two people running from his driveway towards the road. Westfield Police responded after being called the next morning when the resident found a first-floor window with its glass smashed out and pry marks around the perimeter. No description of the suspects nor any vehicle used was provided.

On July 24 at 8 a.m.: A business owner of an establishment located on the 0-100 block of Elm Street reports a burglary and a subsequent theft of cash. The complainant/victim states that at some point between the closing hours on July 21 and 24, someone entered the business through an apparent unsecured building door. While inside the business around $60 cash described as various denominations of bills was taken from a tip jar. The suspect then fled the premise.

On July 24 at 10:30 a.m.: A resident of Scotch Plains reports the burglary to her motor vehicle and theft from within while parked in Tamaques Park. The victim states that on July 24, she left her vehicle unattended from around 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the first parking lot after the entrance from Lamberts Mill Road. After re-entering her vehicle she found that her "Baggalline" Satchel and its contents were taken. The contents included "Apple" Airpods, cash, credit/debit cards and various forms of identification. The estimated value of all items stolen is $295.

On July 25 at 8 a.m.: A resident of the 100 block of Harrison Avenue reports a suspicious person/incident that occurred on July 25. A black Mercedes Benz was parked in various locations on Harrison Avenue throughout the day on July 25. The occupant was observed walking up to homes after packages seemed to have been delivered through delivery services. The suspicious person held a bouquet of flowers as she walked up to homes and is described as a black woman wearing a tan dress. The vehicle bore NY registration.

On July 26 at 1:45 a.m.: A resident of the 600 block of Prospect Street reported being a victim of a motor vehicle theft. The victim reports their Audi Q7 valued at approximately $40,000 was stolen from their driveway. The vehicle was unlocked with the key for the vehicle inside it at the time of the theft.

On July 26 at 9:39 a.m.: Martha Paulino Morales, 37, of Elizabeth, was detained following a motor vehicle stop on the 300 block of West North Avenue for an active traffic warrant for $750 out of Madison. Paulino Morales was released on her own recognizance from the scene after receiving a new court date from Madison Municipal Court.

On July 26 at 12:45 p.m.: A resident of the 0-100 block of South Wickom Drive reports a burglary to their vehicle and attempted vehicle theft. A black man wearing a "beanie" hat walked up the victim's driveway and entered their vehicle through the driver's door. A third-party witness observed this and began shouting. The suspect immediately exited the victim's vehicle and fled into a suspect vehicle described as a white colored Audi bearing a yellow license plate. The suspect vehicle was driven by a black man who then fled northbound onto North Wickom Drive.

On July 27 at 12 p.m.: A resident of the 800 block of Forest Avenue reports that they were the victim of fraudulent charges to their credit card accounts. The resident states that someone made fraudulent charges without their approval or authorization. The resident reports there were six separate sets of incidents of fraudulent charges. The resident has suffered no financial loss at this time.

On July 28 at 12 p.m.: A 900 block of Everts Avenue resident reported that someone tried to open a personal loan in their name. The loan was denied, and the banking institution notified the resident of why the loan was denied, alerting the resident to this fraudulent activity.

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