Man Charged with Assault after Punching Co-worker at Holiday Party

Following an investigation of reported assault between patrons at Chat bar and restaurant on Dec. 19, 2014, police arrested David M. Hill, 43, of New Rochelle, on Jan. 14. He was charged with second-degree assault, a felony. According to the police report of the original incident, a 33 year-old New York City man said he was assaulted while attending a law firm holiday party at Chat. At the party he was speaking to two members of his firm (including Hill) and got into a discussion about whiskey. A few minutes into it, Hill allegedly called the victim an idiot and said, "Who should I hit? You or him?" The victim told him that would be a bad idea and said that if they got into a fight, he (the victim) would win. At that point, the Hill allegedly handed the victim an empty glass and punched him in the forehead, causing a small cut. The victim went to the bathroom to clean up. Then, he left. He sought medical treatment but nothing needed to be done. He first spoke to members of the law firm but was not satisfied with their response. Evidence gathered from witness statements and recorded video surveillance supported the victim's account of the incident. On Jan. 14, the arrest was made in cooperation with a Westchester County probation officer, who was holding Hill at the Westchester County Probation Office, until Scarsdale detectives arrived. Following his arrest, Hill was served with an Order of Protection and was advised he must return to court on Jan. 21. As recommended by the District Attorney's Office, bail was set at $5,000. Hill was unable to post bail and was subsequently taken to Westchester County Jail. Some personal property, including a brown leather bag containing numerous personal papers and miscellaneous items, was not accepted at the jail; so police vouchered it at headquarters for safekeeping instead.

Mt. Vernon driver arrested for DWI

At 11:45 p.m., Jan. 17, patrol saw a 2012 Honda Minivan driving without any operational taillights on Post Road. Patrol caught up with the car at a traffic light, and the driver – Stephen J. Broege, 43, of Mt. Vernon – accelerated to approximately 54 miles per hour. Patrol was able to determine this speed by pacing Broege's car at a steady distance and speed. Patrol initiated a traffic stop near Wayside Lane and noticed Broege displayed signs of intoxication – including alcohol smelling breath and glassy eyes. Broege attempted but was unable to successfully perform field sobriety tests. Broege refused to take an alcohol sensor breath test. Based on patrol's observations and Broege's failure to successfully complete the field sobriety tests, Broege was arrested for driving while intoxicated. At 1:05 a.m., Broege agreed to take a Datamaster blood alcohol test, which measured his blood alcohol level at .16 of one percent. Broege was charged with driving while intoxicated, driving with .08 of one percent or more of alcohol in the blood, failure to submit to a breath test, speeding, and no tail lights. Police released Broege on his own recognizance at 3:40 a.m. He was ordered to return to court on Jan. 21.

Arrested Bronxville man wanted by Pennsylvania State Police

On Jan. 18, police officers were dispatched to Yonkers police headquarters to extradite Daniel Raymond Smith, 35, of Bronxville, on the grounds of an outstanding arrest warrant issued out of Scarsdale Village Justice Court on Dec. 3, 2014, for failing to appear on multiple vehicle and traffic charges. While processing Smith's arrest at headquarters, police determined there was also an outstanding warrant for Smith's arrest, previously issued by Pennsylvania State Police for charges of driving under the influence of drugs. Pennsylvania State Police were notified of Smith's arrest in Scarsdale, and they said they would come to extradite him. Smith was subsequently charged with being a fugitive from justice, a section of NYS penal law. Smith was arraigned on Scarsdale charges at Scarsdale Village Justice Court. Judge John Galloway ordered him to return to court on Jan. 21 and remanded him to Westchester County Jail to facilitate the extradition by Pennsylvania State Police.

Missing jewels

A Stratton Road woman called police because she thought workers employed by a junk removal service might have stolen a gold bracelet and a ring with a green stone from her bedroom jewelry box Jan. 16. The owner of the junk removal service said he had spoken with his workers, and each one had denied stealing the jewelry. Detectives went to the woman's house, interviewed each of the workers and searched the trucks, but the jewelry was not found.

Missing property

On Jan. 16, a Park Road woman reported several personal belongings were taken from her house without permission. The theft occurred sometime between Dec. 29, 2014 and Jan. 1, 2015. No further information was provided.

Stolen miter saw

On Jan. 17, an employee of Baek Min Presbyterian Church, on Murray Hill Road, reported a $200 miter saw and miscellaneous tools valued at $60 had been stolen from a storage shed sometime between Jan. 1 and 16. Including the incident involving the theft, the employee said the shed's lock had been pried off at least two times for the purpose of a break-in. These break-ins damaged the shed's door and the locks.

Identity theft

Someone fraudulently used a Rock Creek Lane man's Bloomingdale's credit card for two merchandise purchases in November 2014. On Jan. 9, the man received a letter containing information about an upgraded card from Bloomingdale's. The letter stated the man's new account status was due to the amount of his recent purchases. Because the man had not used his Bloomingdale's account since 2013, he became alarmed. He cancelled his credit card and informed a store representative of the fraudulent purchases. He reported the incident to police on Jan. 14.

On Jan. 17, a Stonehouse Road man reported someone attempted to fraudulently open at least two credit card accounts in his name on Jan. 10 and 11. The man learned about the attempts after receiving a call from Equifax, a credit reporting agency. Police advised the man to continue monitoring his credit reports as a precaution.

Broken light

While a Tisdale Road homeowner was away, she received a call from her landscaper on Jan. 12. He informed her that a post light in front of her house was broken. On Jan. 13, the homeowner reported the incident and told police the light had been damaged several times in the past. The fixture was valued at approximately $100.

Rental car not returned

On Jan. 16, an employee from the Avis Budget Group reported a rental car was not returned to its rental location on Scarsdale Avenue. According to the employee, the 2014 gray Ford Edge, with a Massachusetts registration, was rented to a Bronx man on Dec. 4. It was scheduled for return on Dec. 11. Numerous attempts to contact the renter by phone and certified mail were made, but the renter did not respond. Police called the renter and left a voicemail, advising him he could be charged, at the least, with third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle, a misdemeanor.

Parking attendant hit by car

A 21-year-old Bronx man drove his 2010 Ford into the Overhill Road parking garage Jan. 15. He got out of the car without putting the car in park or closing the driver's side door. The Ford began to roll forward, striking a parked 2012 Honda with its open door. At that time, a parking attendant stepped in front of the car in an attempt to stop it from rolling further. The parking attendant's thumb was injured; however, he refused medical attention. The Bronx driver, who was nearby, was able to get back in the car, apply the brake and properly put it in park.

Gymnast on Carthage Road

Police questioned a man doing gymnastics in the middle of Carthage and Lincoln roads at 7:15 p.m., Jan. 12. The man said he was only "listening to music and getting exercise in the roadway." Police advised the man that since it was dark and raining, he might be better off heading home. The man agreed and left the street.

Anybody home?

Patrol noticed the front door of a Claremont Road house was open at 2 a.m., Jan. 13. No cars were parked outside. Additional units arrived, and two patrol officers went inside to check the house for possible criminal activity. In the meantime, other officers monitored the perimeter of the house. While searching the first floor of the house, the two patrol officers noticed the second floor of the house might be occupied. The officers announced their presence and were greeted by the homeowner. He said his son had been the last person to come home and might not have properly locked the door.

Smashed TV

Police responded to a Heathcote Road house after a neighbor reported the teenage boys were acting disorderly without adult supervision Jan 16. At the house, police spoke with the homeowner who explained the boys were filming an independent movie and smashed an old, broken TV on her property. She confirmed the boys' actions occurred with her authorization.

Too loud?

A Barry Road resident was becoming irate about noise made by Con Edison workers investigating a possible gas leak in the area at 2:30 a.m., Jan. 18. Con Edison workers asked police to stand by so they could perform their work without further trouble.

Are you ok?

Police checked the welfare of a Mamaroneck Road woman and noted she was OK Jan 14.

Cars and roadways
-Police advised a hitchhiker on Weaver Street that residents and passing motorists were complaining Jan. 12. The hitchhiker left the area.
-Police called tow trucks to remove cars stalled on Mamaroneck Road, Post Road and in the intersection between Cooper and Murray Hill roads Jan. 13.
-Responding to a report of a man walking in the roadway on Post Road, police encountered a man heading toward White Plains. He said he had enough money for a taxi but preferred to walk. Police advised him to walk only on the sidewalk and provided him with the telephone number of a cab company.
-A driver reported a provisionally repaired pot hole "broke apart" at Palmer Avenue and Heathcote Road Jan. 14. Police notified transportation officials for prompt repair of the pot hole.
-Police issued a village code violation summons for unnecessary noise to a driver who honked her horn at another driver who was slowing down for a yellow traffic light on East Parkway Jan. 15.
-Police notified Con Edison about a low hanging wire above Mamaroneck Road and Leatherstocking Lane Jan. 16. Cablevision was notified about a fallen cable wire in the same area.
-Police removed large branches and debris from Cushman Road and Willow Lane Jan. 16.
-Police called a tow truck for a motorist whose car had a flat tire on Mamaroneck Road Jan.16.
-A resident called police about ice on Barry Road Jan. 17. Police notified the highway department. The highway department, in turn, notified the water department because the icing condition seemed to be related to a water main break.
-Numerous cars were sliding on ice on village roadways Jan. 18. Police closed several roads, including Drake, Murray Hill and Heathcote roads, where ice conditions were especially bad. Fox Meadow Road was also closed because of flooding.
-Police helped several drivers move their cars to safe locations when the cars became disabled due to extremely icy conditions on Post, Murray Hill and Heathcote roads and Weaver Street Jan. 18.
-Police temporarily blocked traffic on Post Road to help a driver back out of her very steep and very icy driveway Jan. 18.
-Six car accidents were reported in the village this week.

Frozen pipes
Pipes froze and burst inside six houses in the village this week. Police and firefighters assisted in turning off the water supply and contacting homeowners or real estate agents to advise of flooding situations and related damages. Utilities affected by flooded equipment were turned off for safety, as needed. In locations where water was creating icing conditions, the highway department was notified as well.

Village code
After a neighbor complained of noise at 11:15 p.m., Jan. 13, police advised a Cushman Road contractor of village noise ordinances. The contractor said he was not working; he was only packing his tools.
Police spoke with contractors on Greenacres Avenue after neighbors complained of noise from heavy demolition machinery at 8 a.m., Jan. 14. The contractors said they were aware of village code and, while they might warm up their equipment prior to 8 a.m., they do not start work until after 8 a.m. Patrol reminded them to always abide by village regulations.

Lost and found
Police identified and notified the owner of a set of lost keys found on the top floor of Freightway Garage Jan. 13. Police put the keys in safekeeping at headquarters, pending the owner's retrieval.
Police found an LG cell phone on Scarsdale Avenue and notified the owner Jan. 14. The owner said he would come to headquarters later that day to pick up his phone.
A passerby reported an unattended backpack on an East Parkway sidewalk Jan. 15. Police opened the bag and noted it contained an Apple iPad, clothing and other miscellaneous items. Patrol contacted the owner's mother, who said she would pick up her son's backpack as soon as possible. In the meantime, the backpack and its contents were vouchered at headquarters for safekeeping.
An Oak Way man reported a missing license plate from his 2009 Toyota Corolla Jan. 18. The last time he saw the license plate was Jan. 15, when he parked the car in his driveway, he said.
While walking on Fenimore Road Jan. 16, a passerby found a blank HSBC check, a MetroNorth purchase receipt and a pair of eyeglasses on the ground. Patrol collected the items and contacted the owner. Shortly thereafter, the owner arrived at headquarters to pick up his property.
Police identified the owner of a license plate found at Scarsdale High School and returned the plate to him Jan. 17.

Fire
-Firefighters checked 10 Stonehouse Road houses for possible gas migration after natural gas was found in a nearby manhole Jan. 12. Con Edison was working on the scene.
-Firefighters shut power to wet circuits, related to a faulty washing machine, in a Dickel Road house Jan. 13.
-On Jan. 14, firefighters used bolt cutters to help police remove malfunctioning handcuffs from a person in police custody. The handcuff removal caused no injury to the person.
-Firefighters helped an elderly Garden Road homeowner replace a battery in a smoke detector Jan. 15.
-A Mohican Trail teenager accidentally dropped a cell phone out of a third-floor house window Jan. 16. The phone slid down the roof and landed in a gutter. Firefighters used an aerial truck to retrieve the phone.
-Firefighters examined a Hillview Dive house for possible abnormal heat in a dining room ceiling after the dining room light fixture flickered and shorted out Jan. 17. Firefighters advised the homeowner to keep the circuit breaker in the "off" position and call an electrician for service.
-Due to a burning odor in a Walworth Avenue basement, firefighters removed basement wall paneling and located an electrical wire that was shorting out due to water seeping in through the foundation wall Jan. 18. Firefighters isolated the circuit breaker and shut it off. They advised the homeowner to contact and electrician and a contractor to resolve the two issues.
-Firefighters shut the water supply to a sink backing up in a Barry Road house Jan. 18.
-Firefighters assisted a Harvest Drive resident with a water problem Jan. 18.
-Firefighters started a sump pump in a Brewster Road basement holding approximately three inches of water Jan. 18.
-Firefighters turned off the gas and electrical supply to a Webster Road hot water heater due to several inches of water in the basement Jan. 18. They advised the homeowner to install a sump pump.
-This week, firefighters assisted at two car accidents on parkways, one involving the extrication of an injured passenger from a smashed car. They responded to one false carbon monoxide alarm and nine false fire alarms caused by device malfunction, water leaking into a detector, cooking smoke, smoke from burnt food, construction dust and steam from a commercial iron.

Scarsdale Village Justice Court – Jan. 14, 2015

K.D. Pastilha pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of driving while ability impaired. Pastilha's driver's license was suspended for 90 days with a 20-day stay. Pastilha was fined $560 and ordered to attend a MADD Victim Impact Panel and a drinking and driving program organized by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles.

Pietro Russo pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of driving without a license and speeding. He was fined $386, plus an additional $140 in scofflaw lift fees.

The court issued one arrest warrant and one warrant letter to defendants who did not appear in court as scheduled.

Adjourned cases included the following charges: first-degree operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs, possession of marijuana, driving while intoxicated (first offense), DWI with a blood alcohol level of at least .08 of one percent. Aggravated DWI, driving while ability impaired, second-degree possession of a forged instrument, third-degree grand larceny, a breath test violation and various vehicle and traffic charges.

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