Below is the latest information issued this afternoon by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and the Westfield Police Department regarding Tuesday’s home invasion and sexual assault at a residence on Longfellow Avenue.

First and foremost, our thoughts remain with the victim of this horrific crime, and we are grateful to live in a community that has shown a true outpouring of support and compassion for our fellow resident and neighbor. We will all continue to pray for her continued recovery following an unthinkable turn of events.

We want to assure everyone that this very active investigation is the absolute top priority of the Town right now. All of the resources of the Westfield Police Department continue to be utilized in partnership with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and New Jersey State Police. These law enforcement officers are working tirelessly to solve this case and bring the perpetrator to justice for the victim and for the community at large. In addition, the Westfield Police Department continues to conduct significant and visibly enhanced patrol operations throughout Town as this investigation continues.

While questions about unreleased details are very understandable as we try to process what happened here as fellow neighbors, that judgment is one that ultimately is left to the professionals leading the investigation. Our role is to do everything asked of us to maintain the integrity of the investigation, both tactically and in terms of public information, so that it can reach the successful conclusion that this community deserves. We will not stray from their guidance, and we ask that you place your trust in the law enforcement experts whose experience best decides how to proceed in this case.

That being said, nobody should ever feel unsafe in their own home. Nobody should have to worry about a wife, mother, or daughter suffering such a horrific attack. We will continue to dedicate every possible resource to this case and to the safety of our residents, and we thank all of you who have provided helpful information and offered words of healing and support for the victim.

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PRESS RELEASE FROM UCPO AND THE WESTFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT

For Immediate Release 
October 21, 2021 
Contact: Mike Sheets, Union County Prosecutor’s Office     
msheets@ucnj.org    


Westfield home invasion under investigation 
 
A home invasion sexual assault that took place in Westfield Tuesday is under investigation, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro jointly announced this morning. 

Westfield Police Department patrol units responded to the area of Forest and Longfellow Avenues at approximately 12:50 p.m. Tuesday in response to a report of a burglary and sexual assault by an armed assailant, according to the preliminary investigation. 

The investigation into the attack is being led by the Union County Special Victims Unit and the Westfield Police Department and assisted by members of the Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit and the New Jersey State Police.

Attached is a composite sketch of the suspect in the assault. Anyone who may know this individual or has any information about this matter is urged to contact Union County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Annie Coll at 908-347-2474 or Westfield Police Department Detective Betsy Savnik at 908-789-6078.  Members of the public are strongly discouraged from approaching or confronting any individuals they believe to resemble the suspect composite, but are instead advised to contact members of law enforcement.   

Tips can also be submitted anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at www.uctip.org; submission of tips made in this fashion that result in an indictment and conviction can be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000 via the Union County Crime Stoppers.