BMW Stolen + Numerous Car Theft Attempts In Westfield Over Weekend: Police

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield saw several attempted car thefts and one successful theft over the weekend, according to an announcement from Westfield Police on Facebook.

As car thefts continue to occur in Westfield, and in surrounding towns, Police Chief Christopher Battiloro strongly urges residents to lock their vehicles, as well as their homes and to report all suspicious persons, vehicles and/or activities to the police immediately.

Battiloro also advises residents to not confront any suspicious people.

A home burglary and car theft occurred Saturday at about 5:46 a.m. on the 100 block of Ayliffe Avenue, according to police.

The residents told police that an unknown person, or persons, entered their home through an open garage door and an unlocked inside door. Police said the suspect stole several items from the home, one of them being a key fob to a 2021 gray-colored BMW X7 that was parked in the driveway.

The BMW was valued at around $85,000, according to police. Some of the other stolen items included money, identification, a wallet and its contents, a tote bag and a fanny pack. The approximate value of those items totaled $1,005, police said.

Numerous other attempted car thefts also occurred over the weekend, with four attempted thefts occurring on Sunday alone, according to police.

At 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, police said a person exited a black vehicle, walked up the driveway and entered an unlocked 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the driveway before returning to the accompanying vehicle and fleeing.

At around the same time, police said a black vehicle approached a home on the 700 block of Prospect Street. Two people exited the car and pulled on the door handles of a 2022 BMW X3 parked in the driveway. Police said the car was locked and the suspects could not gain entry.

The two people then fled in the accompanying vehicle, police said.

Also on Sunday morning, a resident on the 900 block of Woodmere Drive saw a person standing in his driveway, according to police. The suspect then fled in a black Audi sedan with no license plates on it after asking the resident for $5.

Prior to fleeing, police said this person had entered the resident’s unlocked 2017 BMW M2 and stole its key fob. This vehicle was observed nearby by police, but it fled at an extremely high rate of speed toward Route 22.

Lastly, at around 6 p.m. on Sunday, three people in a dark-colored Doge Durango with a Pennsylvania registration exited the car and attempted to enter a 2022 BMW X7 in the parking lot of Nomahegan Swim Club on Springfield Ave.

They were unable to enter the BMW, but the Dodge Durango was previously seen circling the parking lot at Echo Lake Country Club nearby, police said. It was later confirmed to be a stolen vehicle, according to police.

You can view the full Westfield police blotter here and read about all the attempted car thefts here.

Here are some recent stories about car thefts and burglaries in Westfield:

• Car Thefts, Burglaries Continue To Escalate In Westfield: Police
• Car Thefts On The Rise In Westfield, Police Chief Says
• Teen Charged With Westfield Car Burglary, Arrested In Millburn: Police

Have a news tip? Email remy.samuels@patch.com.