Westfield Police Arrest Three Teens After Two Incidents In Park

Westfield NJ

16 November, 2020

7:52 PM

Description

WESTFIELD, NJ — A month after the Westfield police said they'd step up patrols in Mindowaskin Park, a popular gathering spot for area teens, Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro announced three arrests of teens this month in two incidents. The teens are from Cranford and Springfield, police said. Police said in a press release Monday that Joseph Young, 18, of Cranford, was arrested on Nov. 4 at approximately 4:41 p.m. for possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and harassment "after he reportedly threatened five juveniles while brandishing a charged stun gun," police said. They said that the investigation began when someone reported an alleged erratic driver on Park Drive. When police responded, they were flagged down by "distressed juveniles." Young was located by Officer Richard Gill, who found him operating the vehicle in question on East Broad Street in the central business district, police said. Pursuant to an investigation conducted by Officer Gill, assisted by Officer Andres Jaramillo and Detective Sergeant Keven O'Keefe, Young was determined to be in possession of the weapon, police said. He was subsequently arrested and transported to the Westfield Police Department, where he was processed, served with a complaint-summons, and then released on his own recognizance pending a future court date. Three days later, on a Saturday, two teens from Springfield were arrested in connection with a different incident at the park, police said. Police said that a 15-year-old boy brandished a firearm towards another 15-year-old juvenile present in the park and asked to ride his scooter. Then, after being denied a ride, the first youth allegedly stole a beanie from his head. Police said the first suspect was accompanied by five other juveniles, one of whom also allegedly brandished a pocket knife and insisted the victim let them ride his scooter. Following an investigation of the incident, which police said occurred at 7:25 p.m., a 15-year old male juvenile from Springfield was arrested the next day at his residence and charged with robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon. As a result of a joint investigation conducted by the Westfield Police Department's Detective and Juvenile/Community Policing Bureaus, a 16-year-old male juvenile from Springfield was also identified and was arrested this week, on Monday at the Westfield Police Department. The boy has been charged with robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon. 'Ongoing situation' "The ongoing situation occurring in Mindowaskin Park, particularly during hours of darkness, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated," stated Chief Battiloro. "We will aggressively investigate any and all such reported criminal acts, and seek to identify, charge, and prosecute all of those persons involved to the fullest extent of the law." Recently, Battiloro participated in a forum and discussed these efforts. Among other changes, the department has stepped up patrols at the park and installed two 30-foot light towers there. The area has been known to draw kids from neighboring towns, not just Westfield. In early October, police became concerned when they tried to break up crowds of teens, they chanted, "We won't go." A week later, Mayor Shelley Brindle said in a forum that amid lockdowns and schools going remote, "They're in desperate need of socialization, but being disrespectful is unacceptable." Held at detention center The arrested juveniles in the Nov. 7 incident were both served with juvenile delinquency complaints and have been committed to the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center in Newark. They remain there in custodial confinement at this time. Anyone with any additional information related to either one of these incidents is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Lauren Maloney by telephone at 908-789-6086 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Got news? Email [email protected]. To be the first to get news alerts with breaking stories in Westfield, or to get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts or daily newsletters.