Westfield Residents Report 'Suspicious' People, Vehicles: Police

WESTFIELD, NJ — Among police reports from early May, several Westfield residents reported suspicious vehicles and people in their neighborhoods. There was also a report of a stolen car.

On Sunday, May 2, around 11:52 p.m., a person on Highland Avenue "reported that they had observed a dark colored SUV pass their residence approximately four times followed by a dark colored sedan. They observed two individuals exit the dark-colored sedan briefly, and then reenter the sedan. Both vehicles left the area. Westfield police officers searched the area with negative results."

Police said that this past Thursday, around 5:30 p.m., a person on Eton Place reported a "suspicious" vehicle. The person said that a neighbor observed a motor vehicle, described as a dark-colored SUV, driving northbound slowly down Eton Place from Roger Avenue. "The suspicious vehicle was occupied by a male driver," said the report. "No further information was provided at this time."

Then, Friday at 3:05 p.m., a resident of Poe Avenue reported two suspicious vehicles idling in front of the residence. The vehicles were described as a "newer" dark grey sedan and a minivan. No further information was provided.

Also on Friday, someone on Coolidge Street reported hearing a loud noise by the front door around 8:55 p.m. The person believed it to be someone trying to enter the home. The person then hid inside. Westfield Police responded after being called and checked the home with no results showing an attempted entry.

This past Saturday, on Fairmont Avenue, someone said that around 11:45 a.m., an unknown male suspect wearing a red hat was observed walking up his driveway. After the stranger was observed by the resident, he fled the area in a white van operated by another unknown male suspect, police say. Police found no attempt to gain entry to the house or vehicles.

Police said that on Sunday, a resident of Arlington Avenue reported that an unknown individual walked up to his front door, pulled on his storm door, and rang his doorbell. The person left the area. Westfield Police searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.

Some of the concern may be due to recent car thefts and burglaries. There were prior incidents last month that led to arrests.

At Tuesday night's Town Council meeting, Mayor Shelley Brindle said in her opening remarks, "The department is operating with enhanced patrols throughout town — both in very obvious and less overt ways — and they are using every tool at their disposal to address these criminal acts. However, they need your help to displace crime by staying vigilant and securing your cars and homes at all times. You can read the advisory on our website, which I encourage you to share with your neighbors, to find out more about the current policing efforts and what you can do to help keep Westfield one of New Jersey’s safest communities."

Thefts this month

On May 2, a resident of Vernon Place reported that someone entered their neighbor’s vehicle. The vehicle was left unlocked and parked in their driveway. The victim said no items were stolen from the vehicle.

The same day, a resident of Topping Hill Road said an unlocked motor vehicle was entered, but no items were missing.

Also that day, a resident of Wychwood Road said someone entered their vehicle and stole multiple credit cards and approximately $50. Police said there were multiple burglaries of vehicles in that area and no one was in custody yet.

This past Wednesday, a resident of Marcellus Drive reported their Trek mountain bicycle was stolen from their rear yard. The resident stated the theft occurred on or about April 22, but they had delayed reporting it. The resident reported the value of the bicycle at approximately $150. The rear yard is not fenced and the bicycle could have been seen from the sidewalk, police noted.

And in the wee hours of this past Friday, a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was parked in a resident’s driveway on Sherwood Pkwy was stolen, police say. The theft is believed to have occurred at approximately 3:50 a.m., police say. The investigation is ongoing.

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