Arrest reported for drug offenses and fraud in Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — The latest Westfield police report reports a recent drug arrest, fraud and other incidents.

Westfield Police Report – August 18-24:

On August 19 at 2:46 p.m.: Westfield Police responded to a reported disturbance in the 100 block of East Broad Street involving several juveniles. Upon arrival, a group of juveniles were encountered. An unknown offender, believed to be approximately 17 years old, approached them on an electric bicycle as they stood on the sidewalk of East Broad Street. The offender cornered a juvenile and attempted to take several items from him after cornering him in a store vestibule. The offender fled and it is unknown if he was successful in taking items from the victims. The offender was described as a thin white male with a short beard, approximately 17 years old, wearing a motorcycle helmet.

On August 21 at 7:56 am: A resident of the 200 block of Tuttle Parkway contacted Westfield Police Department to report a fraud. The victim was contacted online about the sale of an item, and an unknown individual sent him a check for $1,500 for the item. The victim was advised to cash the check, keep $500, and send $1,000 back to the buyer. The victim recognized this as a fraud and notified Westfield Police.

On August 21 at 1pm: A resident of the 300 block of W. Dudley Avenue contacted the Westfield Police Department to report that he was the victim of a scam. On August 12, a check totaling $200 was deposited to Stride Bank in Oklahoma in the name of “Jordan Moore” from the victim's account. Additionally, on August 19, another check totaling $300 was deposited to the same location to the same person.

On August 24 at 2:25 am: Officer Perconte conducted a vehicle stop in the area of ​​Clark Street and Ferris Place to randomly check license plates and found an outstanding warrant for the registered owner of the vehicle, Matthew Abucay, 26, Clifton. Following Perconte's investigation, Abucay was arrested for second degree trafficking in marijuana, third degree trafficking in cocaine, third degree trafficking in CDS within 1,000 feet of a school, third degree possession of cocaine, fourth degree possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Abucay also had an outstanding Union Municipal Court warrant for his arrest in the amount of $1,000. He was subsequently transported to Westfield Police Headquarters where he was booked and released to the Union County Jail without incident.

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