Sunday, Oct 06th

blackbirch(Updated at 12:51 pm Sunday) Fire broke out at a house at 29 Black Birch Lane in Scarsdale at 4 am on March 5. Firefighters arrived to find the house engulfed in flames and smoke. There were no reported injuries but the house appears to be totally destroyed.

Fire Chief Jim Seymour provided the following report after the fire was put out:

"We were dispatched at 4:04 am this morning to a possible structure fire at 33 Black Birch Lane. Just prior White Plains the Fire Department was dispatched to a street behind Black Birch for a reported fire. When White Plains arrived on the street behind Black Birch, the called in stating they could see a house fire in Scarsdale. Our Fire Department arrived at 4:07 and found the second floor of 29 Black Birch lane fully involved. Shortly after our arrival the roof in the rear of the house began to collapse and the building was too dangerous to enter. The fire was darkened down within the first hour and we remained on the scene until around 9:40 am putting out hot spots. The Westchester County Cause and Origin team is investigating. No one was home at the time and it appears the home was under some interior renovations. About 50 firefighters were on the scene. Mutual aid from White Plains, Hartsdale and Greenville assisted at the scene."

 A Village Press Release says: "The Scarsdale Building Department has contacted the owner's project architect and will be working early this week to get the site properly secured and demolished as soon as possible, as the structure appears to be a total loss."

squirrelDeath: Norman J. Merksamer, 87, of Lincoln Road, died at home Feb. 25.

Stolen purse
A Deerhurst Road woman parked her car on Gaylor Road while attending church for one hour on Feb. 25. She left her handbag in the car. Someone smashed the car's window and stole the handbag from the front passenger seat. It contained at least one credit card.

Identity theft
On Feb. 20, a Hamilton Road woman reported someone attempted to open a Victoria's Secret credit card in her name. The application – twice attempted – was declined because the woman already had a credit card in her name for that store. On the second application, the suspect tried to change the cardholder address to an address in the Bronx.

On Feb. 25, a Cooper Road resident reported his wife's Delta Skymiles account got hacked, and someone used 210,000 of her Skymiles to purchase ten Amazon gift cards totaling $1,000. The cards were delivered to an address in Salem, Missouri. Delta's fraud department is following up.

Things out of place
A Swarthmore Road man reported coming home and finding wood shavings all over the house and things out of place Feb. 20. At first look, patrol thought an animal had gotten into the house and chewed a wooden step. While checking the interior, patrol saw a squirrel exit an upstairs bedroom and run out the front door.

Mail
On Feb. 22, an Edgewood Road woman reported receiving mail at her house welcoming people, whose names she does not know, to the neighborhood. She has been receiving this mail for the past five years. The woman was concerned this mail might be related to something suspicious in the future. Police advised her to notify the post office and continue to monitor her accounts.

Cigarette
A Willow Lane man reported a neighbor's construction worker flicked a cigarette onto his front lawn Feb. 22. The man said he has observed other village code violations committed by the workers and reported them to Village Hall personnel. The construction manner said there has been an ongoing feud with the neighbor. He said he has also spoken with Village Hall regarding alleged violations. Patrol advised him to speak with his workers to avoid any unnecessary strife with the neighbor and to prevent village code violations in the future.

Keys
Police summoned highway department workers to help retrieve keys from a storm drain located at Spencer Place and Chase Road Feb. 23.

Photos
A person saw a white woman in a dark Honda Pilot taking photos of kids playing on Bradley and Carmen roads Feb. 23. When patrol got the scene, the woman was gone. Patrol questioned other parents at the park about the report. At least one parent said the woman had been taking pictures of her own children and not doing anything wrong. The parent said she recognized the woman as a frequent visitor to the park with her children.

Too fast
While patrolling Weaver Street at 3:30 a.m., Feb. 24, police saw a car speeding down the road. The car turned into a shopping plaza's parking lot and turned off its lights. Police stopped to talk with the driver. The driver allegedly appeared "very nervous ... and continuously changed his story about why he was in the parking lot." Police checked the man's ID to confirm there were no active warrants for him. He told police he had just gotten off probation for possessing stolen property.

Search
Scarsdale police helped Eastchester police look for three male suspects in an assault incident that occurred at Post and Summerfield roads in Eastchester Feb. 26. The suspects were not found. The scene was stable – with medics, Eastchester police and Eastchester firefighters on scene – before Scarsdale police officers departed.

911
A Popham Road woman called 911 and then hung up Feb. 25. Police contacted the woman. She confirmed everything was fine at her residence. She advised she tried to contact the police department's non-emergency number, but she did not know the number; so she called 911 in an attempt to get the correct number.

Kids
A resident reported seeing a group of kids gathering and lighting a small fire in Colonial Acres Park Feb. 24. Police dispersed the kids from the park and did not see any active fires.

Police dispersed a loud youth party on Horseguard Lane after neighbors complained of noise at 8:30 p.m., Feb. 25. No adult supervision was present; so police asked the kids to call their parents and arrange for rides home.

Dogs
Police found a small brown dog loose on Brewster Road Feb. 24. The owner, on Kensington Road, was identified. The owner's wife said the dog had escaped the backyard fence. She thanked police and said she would make sure the dog did not get loose again. A verbal warning was delivered.
A loose dog wandered into a Copper Beech Lane house Feb. 25. Patrol identified the dog's owner, who lived nearby. The owner came to pick up his dog. He was advised about village code regarding dogs at large.

Cars and roadways
On Feb. 20, patrol observed a branch resting in wires at Post and Richbell roads. Con Edison was notified.
Police called Con Edison and taped off an area of Hampton and Chesterfield roads with fallen wires Feb. 22.
Police called the highway department to remove a dead raccoon from Fenimore Road Feb. 23.
The highway department was informed about a possible sinkhole forming on Boniface Circle Feb. 23.
On Feb. 24, an anonymous passerby reported a worker was flagging cars "in an irate manner" around a vehicle parked at a construction site near Carstensen Road and Rectory Lane. Police checked out the complaint and saw only legally parked vehicles and free flowing traffic, without any 'Irate" flagging.
Police called a tow for a disabled car at Post and Fenimore roads Feb. 26.
Parked cars were blocking traffic flow on Barker Lane Feb. 26. Patrol asked drivers to move their cars to one side of the street. The drivers complied.

No car accidents were reported in the village this week.

Village code
Workers arrived at a Seneca Road job site at 8:40 a.m., Feb. 20. A neighbor complained. Police advised the foreman he could not begin work before 10 a.m., as per village code.

Police advised a door-to-door solicitor that he need a permit to solicit in the village Feb. 20.

Neighbors complained about a barking dog on Wildwood Road Feb. 22. The homeowner brought it inside after learning about the complaint.

Lost and found
A person found a Wells Fargo debit card on Bell Road and brought it to police Feb. 24. The cardholder was identified and notified. He said she lost the card the day before, thanked police and asked police to shred the card.

Firefighters
Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of an outdoor gas odor on Dell Road Feb. 23.

A burnt out fan motor caused an odor in a Madison Road laundry room Feb. 23. Firefighters disconnected the fan and advised the homeowner to call an electrician.
A burning odor in a Walworth Avenue house was caused by residue from a cleaning agent left on a stove when the stove got hot Feb. 23.

A worker in a Saxon Woods Road house accidentally got locked inside an interior closet, with an inward swinging door, Feb. 24. Firefighters had to force open the door to release the worker.

Firefighters helped emergency medical personnel get inside a Garden Road house to check the welfare of a person Feb. 24.

Firefighters helped a Harvest Drive resident identify smoke detectors in need of service inside her house Feb. 24.

Firefighters helped a Brewster Road resident get back inside his house after accidentally being locked outside Feb. 25.

Brookby Road was closed because of an arcing wire Feb. 25. Firefighters stood by for Con Edison.

Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of a gas leak on Aspen Road Feb. 26.

This week firefighters responded to three false carbon monoxide alarms and 10 false fire alarms, caused by device malfunction, a latched smoke detector, cooking smoke and shower steam.

This report covering police and fire department activity from Feb. 20-26 was compiled from official information.

scarsdalesecuritylogo-1-1This police report is sponsored by Scarsdale Security who does more than just security. Contact them about remote video for your home or business. Call 914-722-2200 or visit their website.

handcuffsArrested suspect found with stolen mail and fraudulent check: On Feb. 3, at approximately 4:30 a.m., a Scarsdale police officer patrolling the downtown village area observed an illegally parked car on Woodland Place. Upon investigating, the officer determined the vehicle was occupied by a person who initially provided the officer with a false name. Furthermore, it was learned that the driver was driving a rental car without proper authorization. Police contacted the car rental company, and they requested that police seize their vehicle.

While impounding the vehicle, officers found eleven pieces of sealed mail, that were later determined to be stolen out of US Postal Service mailboxes on Woodland Place and on Chase Road in front of the Post Office building.

Officers also recovered a fraudulent check for $20,866. The check was related to US Mail that had been stolen from a different location.

Police arrested the driver Rashon M. Perkins, 32, of the Bronx,rashonperkins based on this new information. Perkins has been initially charged with the following charges:
aggravated unlicensed operation (a vehicle and traffic misdemeanor), unauthorized use of a vehicle (a penal law class-A misdemeanor) and second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument (a class-D felony).

The Scarsdale Police Investigations Section is working with United States Postal Inspectors and the Westchester County District Attorney's Financial Crimes Division for future charges associated with the stolen mail.

Police Arrest Pair for Assault and Harassment:
Scarsdale Detectives conducted a follow-up investigation into an assault that occurred on January 21, in the Freightway parking garage. As a result of that investigation, detectives arrested the following individuals on Feb. 8: Bruno Bertozzi, 21, of Tuckahoe on charges of harassment, and Jasmin Rodriguez, 19, of Eastchester, on Jasmincharges of third-degree assault and harassment. Bertozzi is accused of striking a Crest Lane man in the face on Jan. 21. The incident caused pain and swelling in the victim's face. As part of the same incident, Rodriguez is accused of grabbing a Crest Lane woman by the hair and punching her in the face multiple times, causing bruising, swelling and a broken nose. On Feb. 7, detectives called Bertozzi and Rodriquez, advised them of the charges against them and requested that they respond to headquarters. On Feb. 8, Bertozzi and Rodriguez turned themselves in and were arrested. They were issued appearance tickets for Scarsdale Village Justice Court. An order of protection was issued. According to police, the victims and suspects knew each other, and the incident was the result of a dispute.

Police Arrest Three Teens, Caught with Car of Stolen Packages
On Feb. 10, while conducting burglary patrol in Greenacres, a police officer observed a gray sedan stop in front of a Montrose Road house. Shortly after seeing the vehicle stop, the officer observed a young man – later identified as Sebastian Garcia, 19, of New Windsor – run from the driveway of the house carrying a white package. Garcia got into the passenger side of the car. The officer then stopped the car to investigate his observations. Additional patrol units were called in for assistance and safety.

Inside the card, was a driver, Garcia and another passenger. The officer noticed a large brown cardboard box between Garcia's legs inside the car. A second package was seen on the floor of the car behind the driver. The officer asked the occupants of the car if they knew the Montrose Road resident where they had stopped their car, and the occupants said, "No." The officer asked the teens for an explanation of their conduct, and they said they "were doing a school project on Donald Trump." According to police, "The subjects appeared evasive and were stammering nervously."

Investigation revealed the packages in the car were stolen, and the occupants of the car were arrested accordingly. Along with Garcia, two other young men were charged with petit larceny and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. They were: Kevin Dominguez, 19, of White Plains, and Ailyn Morales, 19, of White Plains. The car was impounded for further investigation.

Garcia was also charged with trespassing and had an active arrest warrant issued out of White Plains. Following arrest processing in Scarsdale, Garcia was picked up by detectives from White Plains Police Department.

All three defendants were issued appearance tickets for a future court appearance in Scarsdale Justice Court.

DWI Arrest
Police arrested John Daniel Rodriguez, 23, of the Bronx, at 4 a.m., Feb. 11, after picking him up for drunk driving. Rodriguez was initially stopped at Fenimore and Donellan Roads. He was unsteady on his feet, smelled of alcohol and admitted to having "two or three beers" at Don Coqui bar in White Plains. He failed field sobriety tests, and his breath tested positive for the presence of alcohol in an alco-sensor test. Later, Rodriguez's blood alcohol level was measured to be .10. He was arrested on charges of second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, driving while intoxicated (first offense) and operation of a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .08 of one percent. Rodriguez was released on his own recognizance to the custody of his girlfriend. He was issued an appearance ticket for Scarsdale Village Justice Court.

Bench Warrant Arrest
On Feb. 8, police arrested Jerson Alexis Barragan, 19, of Bronxville, on the strength of a bench warrant issued by New York City Police on June 22, 2016, for fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Barragan was transported from Scarsdale Village Justice Court, where he had appeared for an unrelated matter, to headquarters. A team from NYPD came to Scarsdale to execute the warrant and pick up Barragan.

Burglary
A Webster Road house was burglarized Feb. 10. Investigating officers found signs of entry at a rear sliding glass door, miscellaneous items tossed on the first and second floors and possible evidence of a front door exit. Various footprints were found around the house. The homeowner said the prints were not there before he left his house to attend a party at 7 p.m. The homeowner said he received two messages from his home security system, not connected to a central monitoring agency, that his sliding door had been opened at 7:59 p.m. and that a garage door opened at 8:28 p.m. The messages prompted the homeowner to return home. The homeowner entered the house, found it in disarray and noticed two MacBook computers were stolen from the dining room table. Two pillowcases were stolen from the bedroom, which were probably used to transport stolen items. A safe containing documents was also stolen. Police found a screwdriver on the master bed and took it into custody, as evidence. Detectives are following up.

Fake Driver's License
On Feb. 8, police followed up on a driver who was believed to have presented a forged Maryland driver's license to police. The license did not contain any of the UV security features that are present on valid Maryland licenses. The bar code on the back of the license, although intact, could not be read by three separate driver's license readers. The word "Driver's License" was incorrectly written as "Drivers, License, and the initials "DL" were not properly positioned on the document. Additionally, the image of the State of Maryland, which appears on all legitimate Maryland licenses, lacked detail and was not identical to the image normally seen on licenses. As a result, police suspected the license was fake. Scarsdale police called Maryland State Police and Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles and provided the driver's license number for verification. Scarsdale police learned the driver's license was fake. Police are following up.

Identity Theft
On Feb. 7, a Sherbrooke Road woman reported fraudulent charges on her Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale's credit card statements. Fraudulent charges at these two stores totaled $20,527.24 and occurred while the woman was out of the country on Dec. 31, 2016 and Jan. 1, 2017. The charges occurred in physical stores, and the perpetrator presented a fraudulent ID.

On Feb. 13, a Brown Road resident reported someone attempted to open a fraudulent account in her name.

Suspicious
A caller reported a man in a green Jeep liberty parked outside Scarsdale High School at 1 p.m., February 6. The man told police he was waiting to pick up his mother, who works as a teacher's aide at the school. Patrol told him his presence and allegedly erratic driving alarmed residents, and the man apologized. Police noticed camouflage vest and an airsoft vest with the word "police" written on it, in the man's car. The man said he and his friends enjoy playing scenario games, and he ensured police there were no firearms in the car. Patrol advised the man to keep airsoft equipment at home until it could be used in a controlled environment, Eventually, the man's mother left the school, and the two parties left the area.

On Feb. 6, a Post Road woman called 911 because a group of men came to her house stating they were there to repave her driveway. She had not hired them; so she felt their presence was suspicious. Patrol arrived and learned the woman's brother had hired the men to repave the driveway and help his sister.

An unknown white man in his 40s, wearing a blue jacket, knocked on a Greenacres Avenue door and told the homeowner he was there to look at her roof Feb. 6. Since the homeowner had not scheduled roofing services, she felt the man's presence was suspicious. The man left in a gray hatchback. Police canvassed the area but did not find the man.

A Horseguard Lane woman called police because she saw a US mail truck at a neighbor's house at 5:30 a.m., Feb. 10. She thought the truck's presence was unusual. Patrol verified the driver of the truck was a postal employee. The driver was making a delivery of Amazon Fresh Direct groceries to a neighbor.

A black Mercury Mountaineer, with Pennsylvania license plates, entered a Richbell Road driveway and circled the driveway several times around 2:30 p.m., Feb. 10. The property manager spoke with the occupants, but could not discern their intentions The occupants then left in their car. They were described as a black man, with a hat and glasses, in his 50s and a black woman in her 50s. The homeowner wanted police to document the incident.

A Kensington Road homeowner reported seeing, over video surveillance, a man dressed in white ring the doorbell to his house and peer through his windows, at 7:45 p.m., Feb. 11. Police went to the house to investigate. The nanny was home, and she confirmed the man had been there to deliver food.

An Oak Lane man reported seeing an unrecognized white van in his driveway Feb. 13. While police were investigating the van, the man received a call from his wife. She stated the van belonged to her driver, who was picking her up from the city.

Wrong number
A Carstensen Road woman called 911, stating she was calling to cancel her doctor's appointment Feb. 6. The woman seemed confused. She told patrol she dialed 911 in error.

Tree
A tree fell on a Crossway garage Feb. 9. Branches were resting on secondary power lines. Con Edison was notified. The highway department responded but was unsure if the tree belonged to the Village. A survey is pending.

What Did You Say?
A Lee Road woman reported a man yelling for "help" outside her house Feb. 10. Police encountered the man, who was actually yelling "Elsie" in an attempt to locate his dog who had run away. He apologized for any confusion and located his dog. The Lee Road woman was advised.

Safety
Police advised the owner of Organic Pharmer, on Garth Road, to keep the sidewalk trap door to their basement close Feb. 11. Leaving the door open was deemed a safety hazard. This was the second time police have had to remind the owner to keep the door closed.

Open doors
While patrolling the village during the early morning hours of Feb. 12, police observed several houses with open garage doors. Patrol spoke with homeowners to make sure everything was in good order. In each case, the garage door was inadvertently left open, without any sign of criminal activity.

Snow
A Brite Avenue woman reported her neighbor's plowing company pushed snow onto the curb in front of her house Feb. 12. Patrol explained this action was not in violation of village code. The woman was advised to speak directly with her neighbor.

Police helped a Cohawney Road couple leave their house and walk down icy steps to get to their car during a power outage related to an ice storm Feb. 13.

International assistance
On Feb. 6, a Parkfield Road man reported wiring $30,000 rand (approximately $3,000) to a contractor in South Africa, for proposed work to install an electric gate on the man's property in Pretoria, South Africa. The wire transfer occurred on Dec. 12, 2016, and the man has been unable to reach the contractor since that time. The man thought he might be the victim of a scam. Scarsdale police were unable to verify the validity of the alleged contractor and suggested the man follow up with Pretoria police. The incident was documented by Scarsdale police to assist Pretoria police.

Scofflaw
A parking enforcement officer identified a parked car with $740 in accumulated unpaid parking fines in village center Feb. 8. The owner returned to her car and was informed she must address the issue and pay the fines at Village Hall immediately.

Accident
One utility pole was struck by a car at Heathcote and Sherbrooke Roads Feb. 12. Damage required immediate attention. Police blocked off the area and stood by for Con Edison. The driver – a 36-year-old White Plains woman – left the scene of the accident, but the car's license plate fell off and enabled police to identify the driver. Police called her to respond to headquarters, where she would be issued a summons for leaving the scene of an accident. As of the report time, she had not yet responded to headquarters.

Cars and roadways
On Feb. 7, a driver experienced a flat tire on Fenimore Road, near the Bronx River Parkway exit. Patrol stood by for safety while the tire was changed.
An Avis rental car was recovered from Ramsey Road Feb. 7.

On Feb. 8, a Hampton Road woman reported a student parked a car on the street and accidentally left it running with the windshield wipers on. While police were on scene, the student returned to the car and turned it off.

Patrol contacted the water department for a large amount of water in the roadway at Parkfield and Butler Roads Feb. 8 and a lack of running water in a Tompkins Road house Feb. 9.

Con Edison and the highway department were called about a fallen tree and wires on Crossway Feb. 9.

Portable stop signs were erected at the intersection of Greenacres and Walworth Avenues, due to a malfunctioning traffic light, Feb. 9. Approximately three hours later, the light was repaired.

A driver left a disabled car on Hutchison Avenue with its hazard lights flashing Feb. 9. Since the car was in a dangerous location and appeared to be abandoned, police called for an impound tow. While waiting for the tow, the driver returned to attempt to start the car again. The driver was admonished for leaving the disabled car in a dangerous location without notifying authorities. Police provided the driver with the police department phone number in case the driver needed additional assistance.

Con Edison was notified about a dislodged gas box on Fox Meadow Road Feb. 9. Con Edison workers addressed the issue within an hour.

Patrol issued a summons to an illegally parked car on Rectory Lane Feb. 10.

Police removed a fallen cable wire from Bradley Road, as well as debris from Mamaroneck Road Feb. 12.

During high winds in the early morning hours of Feb. 13, trees, wires and signs fell on Meadow, Mamaroneck, Catherine, Kelwynne, Reimer, Cooper, Chesterfield, Hampton, Post, Kingston, Popham, Oxford, Fenimore, Cohawney, Donellan, Circle and Saxon Woods, Drake, Brewster and Ferncliff roads and Hutchinson Avenue,

A tree fell on top of a car in a Hampton Road driveway Feb. 13. Con Edison was on scene to "watch wires" and ensure safety.

Seven car accidents were reported in the village this week.

Animals
A caller said a loose dog was secured at Kingston Road and Greenacres Avenue for pickup Feb. 10. While police were on their way, someone picked up the dog and put it in a car. Ostensibly, the person was assumed to be the dog's owner.

A Broadmoor Road caller reported the sound of animals fighting outside after midnight, Feb. 12. There were no sign of any injured animals when police arrived on scene – only multiple sets of animal tracks in the snow.

Village code
A caller complained about drum noise coming from a house at Boulevard and Potter Road around 12 p.m., Feb. 7. Police informed the homeowner about the complaint. The homeowner said he would attempt to install noise reduction material to block the sound of his son's drum practice. He said he would also make sure the practice sessions occurred at more reasonable hours.

Police stood by while a youth party was breaking up on Ogden Road and kids were beings picked up by parents at 10 p.m., Feb. 8.

Police stood by while approximately a dozen teenagers waited for rides home from a Morris Lane party Feb. 10.

Civil Matter
An employee of a Popham Road skin therapy salon reported a customer's check for $1,295, from Dec. 27, 2016, was returned for insufficient funds on Jan. 6. The salon made several attempts to contact the customer about the returned check and outstanding bill; however, the customer never returned the calls. The employee was advised this was a civil matter and civil court action could be taken.

Two boys under the age of 16 were standing on Palmer Avenue, asking passersby if they were Jewish, and handing out candles and a prayer for a holy day Feb. 10. Patrol advised the boys they needed a permit to do any type of soliciting in the village. The boys apologized and left.

Lost and found
On Feb. 8, a person found a New York State driver's license on Ridgecrest North and brought it to headquarters. Police vouchered it, pending an attempt to contact the owner.

On Feb. 11, a man reported losing his iPhone 6. He last saw his phone the previous day, inside his taxi. He needed a police report for insurance purposes.

A woman found keys on Brewster Road and brought them to headquarters for safekeeping Feb. 12. Patrol called a Subaru dealership in Rye, as identified through a keychain telephone number, in an attempt to locate the owner. The dealership, however, was closed.

Firefighters
Steam from a high-efficiency boiler in a Rural Drive house was mistaken for smoke Feb. 7.
Following up on a natural gas odor, firefighters turned off gas in a Burgess Road house's mechanical room while the resident waited for Con Edison Feb. 7.
A 17-year-old boy sustained a knee injury at Hyatt Field Feb. 9. Firefighters assisted Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps to move the boy from the field to the ambulance.
Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of a gas odor near a newly installed dryer in a Kingston Road house Feb. 10.
Elevated levels of carbon monoxide were detected in a Drake Road house Feb. 10. Firefighters stood by for Con Edison.
Con Edison investigated a reported gas odors on Highland Way, Oak Lane, and Parkfield, Fenimore, Kent, Fox Meadow, Brewster and Chesterfield roads Feb. 11. No origination or cause of alarm was found.
Con Edison was called about fallen electrical wires on Tompkins, Chesterfield, Hampton, Cooper and Reimer roads Feb. 12.
A large tree limb fell on the roof of a Cohawney Road house Feb. 12. It did not interrupt electrical wires, and it did not penetrate the roof. The resident was advised to call a tree service.

This week, firefighters assisted at three car accidents in the village, one involving damage to a Lorraine Place fire hydrant. They responded to six false carbon monoxide alarms and 14 false fire alarms caused by cooking smoke, device malfunction, dust, electrical outages and burnt food.

This report covering police and fire department activity from Feb. 6-12 was compiled from official information.

scarsdalesecuritylogo-1-1This police report is sponsored by Scarsdale Security who does more than just security. Contact them about remote video for your home or business. Call 914-722-2200 or visit their website.

suspectsOn Feb. 14, police caught and arrested three suspects who were fleeing from an interrupted Drake Road burglary. These suspects were: Orgen Hoxha, 21, from New York City; Armand Selmani, 23, from Clifton, New Jersey; and Gramos Muhaxheri, 22, of the Bronx.

Police initially responded to a Drake Road house for a burglar alarm activation coming from the basement door. Two squad cars and an unmarked car, serving on a taskforce unit, arrived on scene. Police officers established a perimeter while an officer and a detective conducted an interior check of the house. One of the glass panels on the basement door had been broken, and the basement door was ajar. Small shards of glass and part of the wooden frame to the window panel were observed on the floor inside the house. Additional small glass shards were observed on the staircase leading from the basement to the first floor of the residence.

A thorough search of the interior did not yield any obvious signs of criminality on the first- or second-floors. There were no obvious signs that the bedrooms had been entered. While police were on scene, a neighbor approached and provided patrol with information about the homeowner. The basement door appears to have been both the point of entry and exit. Detectives collected some of the small glass shards.

While the investigation was ongoing at the house, a taskforce unit stopped the suspects' car on Wilmot and Baraud roads. Investigation identified the men as suspects, and they were taken into custody. Hoxha, Selmani and Muhaxheri were each charged with second-degree burglary and fourth-degree criminal mischief for acting in concert with one another to burglarize the Drake Road house.

Assault arrest
On Feb. 18, police arrested Wabo M. Ntwaagae, 23, of Scarsdale, on charges of third-degree assault, after Ntwaagae allegedly slammed his mother's finger in a door during an argument over $80. The act caused a laceration of his mother's finger, extreme pain and partial detachment of her fingernail. Ntwaagae's parents called police to their house at approximately 1:10 a.m., after the incident occurred. Once inside the house, police were asked to help search for Ntwaagae inside the house. His parents were unsure of his whereabouts but thought he was most likely inside his locked second-floor room. While outside the door, police heard music turn on inside the room, indicating Ntwaagae was, in fact, there. Ntwaagae's parents advised police they were fearful of their safety and wanted their son arrested. Patrol spoke to Ntwaagae through the door and advised him to open it. Ntwaagae's gave police explicit permission to force open the door and agreed to pay fr any damage to the door. Police advised Ntwaagae that the door would be forced open if he did not open it on his own accord. Ntwaagae did not open the door, and police used a tool to force it open. Ntwaagae was seen standing near his bed in his room. He was placed in handcuffs, escorted to the police car and arrested. The district attorney's office was consulted and bail was set at $500 cash or $1,000 bond, with the condition of the surrender of Ntwaagae's passport from Botswana. Since Ntwaagae did not have the means to post bail, and since his parents refused to post bail, Ntwaagae was taken to Westchester County Jail to await trial on Feb. 22.

Stolen package
On Feb. 13, a Brewster Road woman reported a package was stolen from her doorstep Feb. 6. The package contained wallpaper, rug and bedding samples valued at $89. The woman said she waited to report the package as stolen because she though one of her neighbors might have picked it up for her, but this was not the case.

Identity theft
A Brown Road resident reported someone attempted to open a small business account with Bank of America in her name Feb. 13. The attempt was fraudulent. The woman suffered no financial loss.
On Feb. 15, a Dolma Road woman received a bill for $300 in charges made on a newly opened fraudulent Target credit card account. The purchases were made in a store in Paramus, New Jersey on Jan. 11. There was a spelling error in the woman's last name, as listed on the account. The woman notified Target's fraud department. They are following up.

On Feb. 17, a Brambach Road woman reported a check she wrote for $325 to pay school fees was intercepted after mailing and cashed by an unknown party. The check was mailed from a postal box in either White Plains or Elmsford on Jan. 14.

On Feb. 19, a Lockwood Road man reported two fraudulent charges totaling $360.52 were made to his Capital One card on Jan. 20. The charges were made to purchase weight loss supplements, which were shipped to an unknown party. Capital One's fraud department is following up.

Hot stove
A Greenacres Avenue woman asked police to assist her in turning off the oven in her kitchen Feb. 15. The woman advised she had turned the oven off but was concerned because it was still producing heat. Patrol observed the oven control knob to be in the "off" position. The heat coming from oven appeared to be residual warmth radiating from the appliance because it had previously been on. The woman explained she does not normally do a lot of cooking and was unfamiliar with the functions of her oven's electric touch panel. Patrol suggested she could follow up was a handyman to ensure the oven was functioning properly.

Martial arts
An older male, approximately 60-70 years old, was observed practicing martial arts while holding a sword in the parking lot of Scarsdale public library Feb. 16. Library employees confirmed the man was a regular at the library. The sword was confirmed to be a toy made of plastic. Nevertheless, the man was advised to practice martial house with the sword at home – not in public – because it was causing public concern. There was a language barrier, but the man appeared to understand patrol's advice.

Tipped furniture
A Tory Lane woman reported patio furniture had been tipped over outside her house Feb. 18. There was no sign of criminality on the patio or around the house. The furniture was very lightweight, and patrol deduced it must have blown over during recent heavy winds.

Ride home
An elderly woman because disoriented on Rodney Road, and police provided her with a ride home Feb. 19.

Elevator
An elevator malfunctioned and was put out of service at the Scarsdale Train Station Feb. 19. Proper personnel were notified for repair.

Suspicious
While conducting burglary patrol at 2:30 a.m., Feb. 14, police saw a man standing outside on Hutchinson Avenue. Patrol questioned the man. He said he was painting a family member's house and walking to a cousin's house on the street. He provided patrol with the correct name and address of the cousin. Everything appeared to be in good order.

Patrol noticed a wide-open front door and all lights on at an Eastwoods Lane house at 11:30 p.m., Feb. 14. The homeowner reported leaving his front door open while taking out the garbage. Everything was in good order.

A man dressed in black was seen walking down Post Road, near Olmsted Road, at 3:30 a.m., Feb. 17. The man said he was walking to the mall from Mount Vernon. However, according to police, the man was "very vague on what exactly his purpose was for being in the area." He left the area without incident.

Keys were observed sticking out of the front door lock of a Webster Road house Feb. 18. The homeowner said everything was in good order. He was at the house to perform miscellaneous work and had left the keys there.

Harassment
A Graham Road woman reported employees from a moving company have been harassing her about paying them additional money since Jan. 15. The company recently moved belongings from a storage facility in Yonkers to one closer to her house on Long Island. She received a bill and paid it in full, but she has also received numerous texts and phone calls from the company demanding more money. Two movers even came to her workplace and were wandering around looking for her. Security removed them from her workplace. Recently, the woman found a loose invoice in her mailbox, which made her feel concerned that the movers came to her house in person. Police advised the woman to call them if the men return.

Fallen tree, pole and accidents
A Village tree fell on a 2010 Mercedes parked in a Hampton Road driveway. It took down electrical wires in the process. Due to live power line blocking the road, police and firefighters closed the area until Con Edison could address the fallen lines. Once the power lines were cleared, damage to the Hampton Road house could be assessed. The falling tree broke through a second-floor bedroom window, damaged part of a gutter and crushed the family's basketball hoop. Con Edison and the highway department were working together to removed the fallen tree from the resident's property. Related to this incident, the associated utility pole snapped on Hampton Road and fell on a Olmsted Road woman's 2014 Honda while she was driving near the pole on Hampton Road Feb. 13. Fortunately, in this accident, there were no reported injuries. Three children were in the car when the accident occurred.

Cars and roadways
Patrol notified the highway department about a fallen tree blocking a Tompkins Road driveway Feb. 14. Highway workers responded to clear it.

A falling tree branch snapped a primary electrical service line and pulled down a cable wire in front of a Palmer Avenue house Feb. 14. Patrol advised dispatch for proper notification.

The electronic emergency brake malfunctioned and engaged in a car on Carthage Road, blocking traffic, Feb. 14. Patrol was able to get the e-brake to disengage by removing the key from the ignition and pressing the e-brake button multiple times. The driver cancelled the tow and drove the car from the location. The driver was advised to seek service for the problem.

A driver complained about a large pothole at Post and Carman Roads Feb. 14. Patrol noticed large postholes at Post and Mamaroneck roads the same day. Traffic cones were placed in the potholes to warn drivers. The highway department and the New York State Department of Transportation were notified.

The water department was notified about a broken water main with gushing water on Lockwood Road Feb. 14.

Con Edison was notified about fallen wires at Post and Olmsted roads and Post and Oxford roads Feb. 15.

On Feb. 15, police conducted a traffic stop of a 65-year-old Nyack driver who failed to use his turn signal at Chase and Popham roads and who was seen driving while holding a cell phone in his hand. The driver said he was holding the phone in his hand "by habit." A check of his driver's license revealed it had been revoked for "failure to pay NYS taxes." He was issued appropriate summonses.

The highway department and the NYS Department of Transportation were advised about potholes at Old Lyme Road and Normandy Lane Feb. 15.

Summonses were issued to the registered owners of two cars parked on Brook Lane in violation of parking restrictions Feb. 15.

Patrol removed a box from Post Road Feb. 16.

A man asked police to help him find his car on Christie Place Feb. 17. Later, he remembered parking his car at Village Hall instead.

The traffic light at Fenimore Road and Walworth Avenue was malfunctioning Feb. 19. An electrician was called in, and he fixed it.

Eight car accidents were reported in the village this week.

Animalsfox
Police picked up a loose dog from Brewster Road and reunited it with its owner after the owner came to headquarters to report the missing dog Feb. 15. The owner was issued an appropriate summons.

Church Lane residents advised of a feral cat in the area Feb. 15. Police services were not needed.

A Fox Meadow Road resident reported a fox lying in her backyard Feb. 18. The animal did not appear to be injured or sick – only sleeping. While police were on scene, the fox got startled, woke up and ran out of the yard.

Lost and found
A license plate was found in a pile of snow in the driveway of a Greenacres Avenue house Feb. 18. The plate did not belong to anyone who lived at the house. A computer check revealed the plate belonged to a Hartsdale woman. She was notified, via her husband, who said he would pick up the plate later that afternoon.
A Scarsdale Middle School student lost his iPhone 6 at school Feb. 16.

Firefighters
Firefighters notified Con Edison about power lines entangled with trees or fallen to the ground on Rectory Lane and Hampton, Copper and Tomkins roads Feb. 13.

A branch fell on a Cohawney Road roof Feb. 13. Firefighters advised the homeowner to call a tree service. There was no structural damage to the house.

High winds blew over an outdoor barbecue grill attached to a gas service line at a Lincoln Road house Feb. 13. Con Edison shut down the gas service line and was attending to the problem.

Elevated carbon monoxide levels were found in a Rock Creek Lane house Feb. 14. Con Edison locked the gas supply and red-tagged multiple appliances with problems Feb. 14. Firefighters helped ventilate the house.

Firefighters notified Con Edison about an outdoor gas odor on Ogden Road Feb. 14.

A Penn Road resident called police about a cat stuck on the roof Feb. 15. The cat got off the roof without any help, and firefighters were not needed.

An odor in an Oak Lane house was caused by a skunk trapped in a window well Feb. 16. Firefighters advised the homeowner to call a trapper.

Water dripping though a ceiling in a Wildwood Road house was caused by a leaking HVAC unit in the attic Feb. 16. The resident was advised to call an electrician and plumber.

Con Edison was working extensively on identifying and repairing a gas leak of a high pressure main on Church Lane Feb. 18. Firefighters provided assistance as needed, including notification to homeowners.

A gas valve was found damaged on Chesterfield Road, possibly from a snowplow, Feb. 19. Con Edison was notified.

This week, firefighters assisted a two car accidents in the village. They responded to three false carbon monoxide alarms and 14 false fire alarms caused by device malfunction, cooking smoke, construction dust, shower steam and burnt food.

This report covering police and fire department activity from Feb. 13 – 19 was compiled from official information.

scarsdalesecuritylogo-1-1This police report is sponsored by Scarsdale Security who does more than just security. Contact them about remote video for your home or business. Call 914-722-2200 or visit their website.

brokenbranch(Updated February 14) As of 8:30 am on February 14, 110 homes in Scarsdale remain without power. Though Con Edison is now promising that the power will go back on for some today, others will not have their lights and heat back on until Wednesday morning.

Con Edison originally reported  that 168 homes in Scarsdale are without power as of 7 pm on February 13. Fierce winds caused a tree to fall at the intersection of Brite and Oakstwain Roads, knocking out power to homes on Fenimore, Brewster, Chesterfield, Cohawney, Hampton, Kensington and Tompkins Road in Fox Meadow as well as Oakstwain Road in Grenacres.

Power is also out on Drake Road, Forest Lane, Woods Lane, Eastwoods Lane in Edgewood and Cooper Road, in Heathcote. Con Edison is not guaranteeing that power will be restored until 7 pm tomorrow night (2/14).

To see the complete list of outages, click here and download the list under "Scarsdale." 

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