Westfield Police Charge 2 Men In Alleged 'Scheme' Against Senior

Westfield NJ

24 February, 2021

4:24 PM

Description

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro announced Wednesday that his department has arrested two Hudson County men on charges related to what he called "an ongoing fraudulent scheme being perpetuated against an elderly Westfield resident." A release from the Police Department explained that "the victim thought she was providing money to an arrested relative through an attorney," and noted that this is an "increasingly commonplace" scheme. In fact, a similar scheme —referred to by some as the "Grandparent Scam" — recently cost a Summit senior $9,000. (Read more about that here.) Police said that Brandon Reyes, age 27, of Union City, and Walter Rosario, age 28, of Jersey City, were both arrested in Westfield on Tuesday at approximately 11:16 a.m. by detectives and uniformed patrol officers. Police said that the two were arrested "as they attempted to further defraud the victim of an additional $40,000 in cash monies. She had already been defrauded of $93,000." Reyes and Rosario were both charged with theft by deception, a third degree crime, and criminal attempt, a third degree crime, police said. Reyes was also charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, a fourth degree crime, police said. Police said Reyes was in possession of a knife when arrested, and had another knife in the car he was operating when police arrested him. Rosario was additionally charged with one count of unlawful possession of a weapon, as he "was found to be in possession of a spring-loaded knife while a passenger in the vehicle operated by Rosario at the time of his arrest," according to the release. Battiloro said, "The amount of fraudulent activity occurring these days is overwhelming," noting that such schemes are becoming common. "Criminals are persistently targeting our most vulnerable residents," he added. "They all need to be fully aware of this fraudulent scheme and others to avoid becoming victims. If you are suspicious, before you transfer any monies, contact the Westfield Police Department." (The Westfield Police Department can be reached at 908-789-4000. In an emergency, call 911. Find more department information and an email address here.) Police said Reyes and Rosario were transported to the Westfield Police Department, where they were both processed, served with complaint summonses, and released pending a future court date. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Be the first on your block to get Westfield Patch breaking news updates when they happen, or sign up for a daily morning newsletter of local news. Sign up and give your preferences here. Got news? Email [email protected]. Got photos? Please include express written permission from the photographer for us to use them. To be the first to get free news alerts with breaking stories in your town, or to get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts or daily newsletters.