Police Arrest Three Men And Boy After Westfield Home Invasion – Westfield, NJ Patch
WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro announced Tuesday evening that police had arrested three men and a 12-year-old boy after a man and woman were assaulted with a baseball bat that morning in a Park Street home.
Among their other charges, the three adults were charged with “use of a 17-year-old or younger to commit a criminal offense,” police said. All four were charged with weapons possession and assault.
Police said that someone forced entry into a residence on the 100 block of Park Street shortly before 4 a.m. and attacked a man and woman with a baseball bat.
Both adults sustained injuries, and the man required transport to and treatment at a local hospital.
Police said they received numerous 911 calls reporting the incident at approximately 3:55 a.m.
They say Officer Nicholas Bagan subsequently located the following persons attempting to flee the scene on foot toward a parked vehicle: Patrick Ely, 27, of Bridgewater; Vince John, 23, of Piscataway; Justin Mitchell, 21, of Piscataway; and a male juvenile, 12, of Piscataway.
The four were taken into custody with the assistance of Officers Michael DiBella, Eric Popleik, Christopher Santangelo and Ryan Shaughnessy.
Pursuant to an investigation conducted by the Westfield Police Department’s Detective Bureau, each of the four arrested persons was charged with the following, police said:
- Conspiracy to commit burglary (a second degree crime);
- Conspiracy to commit aggravated assault – two counts (a second degree crime);
- Burglary (a second degree crime);
- Aggravated assault (a second degree crime);
- Aggravated assault (a third degree crime);
- Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (a third degree crime);
- Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (a 4th degree crime).
All of the criminal charges were approved by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.
“Our officers were on the scene within two minutes of their dispatch,” stated Chief Battiloro, who praised them for being “at the top of their game” so late in their daily tour of duty.
He noted, “This was a dangerous call for service, and our residents should be extremely proud of these officers and the way they performed.”
Following arrest processing at the Westfield Police Department, Ely, John and Mitchell will all be remanded to the Union County Jail in Elizabeth pending a detention hearing. “The disposition of the male juvenile is pending at this time,” police said.
The Westfield Police Department was assisted at the scene by the Union County Sheriff’s Office K-9 and Crime Scene Units.
“This does not appear to be a random act. I am satisfied that all suspects have been located, are presently in custody, and that there is no ongoing threat to the public,” stated Chief Battiloro.
However, anyone with any information relating to the incident is asked to contact Detective Donald Domanoski of the Westfield Police Department at 908-789-6077.
Got news? Email caren.lissner@patch.com. 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.