Teen Charged With Westfield Car Burglary, Arrested In Millburn: Police

WESTFIELD, NJ — Following a car burglary that took place at a Westfield home on Thursday, Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro announced that a 17-year-old from Newark was arrested.

According to Westfield Police, the teen was seen exiting an unlocked blue Mercedes Benz, with an unidentified New York registration at around 1:20 p.m. on Thursday. He was among four people arrested at the Short Hills Malls later that afternoon by Millburn Police.

Westfield Police said that the blue Mercedes was reporter stolen from South River. Millburn Police charged all four people with Receiving Stolen Property.

The Newark teen was also identified as the perpetrator of a Westfield car burglary that took place on the 400 block of Harrison Avenue. He was additionally charged the following day with Burglary — a third degree crime.

Chief Battiloro advises there has been a significant spike in recent vehicle thefts and attempted vehicle thefts in the area and that Westfield, like many surrounding communities, continues to be a very popular target.

Read more: Car Thefts On The Rise In Westfield, Police Chief Says

A 2014 Land Rover Range Rover was also reported stolen from the driveway of a residence located on the 200 block of Lynn Lane at 4:16 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, 2022, and a 2021 Porsche Macan was reported stolen from the parking lot of Nomahegan Swim Club located on the 500 block of Springfield Avenue between 5:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, 2022.

Both were left unlocked with key fobs in them at the time of their thefts, police said.

Battiloro urges residents to always lock their vehicles and remove their keys fobs, regardless of the hour of the day.

“Our police officers are working hard to identify perpetrators, make arrests, and deter further vehicle thefts, but we need our residents to do their part,” Battiloro said.

In addition, Chief Battiloro reminds residents to never confront suspected perpetrators, but instead call the Westfield Police Department immediately via 9-1-1.

According to Westfield Police, in New Jersey, 8,465 vehicles have been reported stolen so far this year, including 191 vehicles — 14 from Union County — between Thursday, July 7, 2022 and Sunday, July 10, 2022.

This marks a 24 percent increase statewide from this time last year.

In Westfield, there was a total of 28 vehicles reported stolen in 2021. This year, 10 cars have been stolen thus far.

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