3 Officers Injured As Westfield Teen Is Charged In Car Thefts

WESTFIELD, NJ — Three Westfield police officers were injured on Wednesday evening as they apprehended a 19-year-old town resident on charges related to recent vehicle thefts, said Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro Thursday.

Justin T. Bass was arrested Wednesday at approximately 5:15 p.m. by Westfield Police Department detectives and patrol officers, just after he was observed leaving his Westfield residence as a passenger in someone else's vehicle, police said in a release.

" Two detectives and a patrol officer were injured during the physical struggle to take him into custody," the release said.

At the time of his arrest, Bass was wanted on these charges, according to the Westfield police:

• Second-degree receiving stolen property for his possession of two Jeep Grand Cherokees worth $75,000 in total, police said. They were specifically a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee stolen from the driveway of a residence located on the 10 block of Bennett Place during the overnight hours on April 29, and a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee reported stolen from the driveway of a residence located on Sherwood Parkway during the overnight hours on May 6.
• Second-degree conspiracy to receive stolen property
• Third-degree forgery for allegedly attempting to electronically deposit a check which was reportedly stolen from an unlocked vehicle on the 100 block of Golf Edge during the overnight hours of April 28.
• Eluding, as a result of an incident occurring in Passaic City on May 7 in which he fled from members of the New Jersey State Police Auto Theft Task Force, who were trying to apprehend him while he was operating the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee stolen from Sherwood Parkway, police said.

Police said Bass resisted yesterday’s attempt to place him under arrest, resulting in a struggle with three officers.

Chief Battiloro stated the investigations of five recent vehicle thefts occurring between Sunday, April 25 and May 7 remain ongoing, and that additional charges related to these incidents are likely forthcoming.

Two of the vehicle thefts also involved burglaries to private residences.

Bass was transported to the Westfield Police Department for processing. He was then transported to the Passaic County Jail in Paterson, where he will be remanded pending a detention hearing in Passaic County Superior Court, police said.

Chief Battiloro praised the efforts of the New Jersey State Police and the Westfield Police Department’s Detective Bureau in combating Westfield’s ongoing vehicle theft problem.

A Westfield Police Department detective was assigned full-time to the New Jersey State Police Auto Theft Task Force since March of last year. Additionally, a Westfield Police Department patrol officer is temporarily assigned there as well.

“We continue to devote an incredible amount of time and effort towards investigations of vehicle burglaries and thefts, and the New Jersey State Police has provided us with a tremendous amount of support,” stated Chief Battiloro, who noted that all 11 vehicles reported stolen in Westfield in 2021 have been quickly recovered.

Chief Battiloro also stressed that not one person or group of persons is likely responsible for all of Westfield’s vehicle thefts, and that residents must remain vigilant, be observant, and report any and all suspicious persons, vehicles and/or activities immediately via 9-1-1.

Other Thefts

Over the last year, the Westfield police have arrested other teens in connection with car thefts, but they were from nearby towns.

Throughout May, Westfield residents have reported to police that they saw several suspicious people and vehicles lurking in their neighborhoods. Police even recently gave chase when they spotted a person in a ski mask, but they lost him near Route 22. Westfield Police Reports: Cops Chased Man In Ski Mask To Route 22

Mayor Shelley Brindle gave an update on motor vehicle thefts in town earlier this month.

Related: Westfield Public Safety Chair, Mayor Give Updates On Crime Trends

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