Fatality at Hartsdale Train Station
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 12650
New information has emerged about the 48- year-old man who was killed at the Hartsdale Train Station on Wednesday June 10. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene and appears to have jumped in front of a southbound, non-passenger train that was passing through Hartsdale station with crewmembers on board. A witness who did not identify himself said he was on the platform at the time and believes it was a suicide. The Journal News is reporting that the man was a Scarsdale resident -- learn more here.
At 5 pm on Wednesday, it appeared that the police were waiting to remove the body from underneath the train which was stopped in Hartsdale.
Service was delayed during the Wednesday night commute, though trains did stop at Hartsdale.
Resident Charged with Criminal Mischief After SUV Is Found In Water Retention Basin
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- Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig
- Hits: 20699
On May 28, police arrested a 44 year old Scarsdale man on charges of fourth-degree criminal mischief, after his SUV was found stuck in the marshy section of George Field Park's south-side storm water retention basin, near Greendale Road. Specifically, the SUV was stuck in the engineered water drainage system, south of the foot bridge. When police arrived, they saw a man in a red Jeep near the basin. Patrol asked him if he was the person who originally reported the stuck SUV to police. He said he was not; so patrol continued looking for the SUV's driver. Later, another officer arrived at the basin and determined that the man was, in fact, the driver of the SUV. The first patrol officer asked him why he had not properly identified himself as the SUV's driver, and he allegedly replied, "You asked me if I called the police, and I did not." Firefighters and the Village Engineer responded to the basin to check the water drainage system. A tow truck pulled the SUV out of the basin. The car was left on the street, and the man called his daughter to take the car for safekeeping. At approximately 8:45 p.m., he was placed under arrest on charges of criminal mischief. According to the arrest report, the man displayed "passive aggressive" behavior during the arrest process. At headquarters, he was placed in a detention cell. At 10:30 p.m. He was released on his own recognizance with an appearance ticket scheduled for June 3.
Identity theft
On May 26, a Hamilton Road man received a letter from Target, stating his credit card application had been denied. The man became suspicious because he never applied for the credit card. Investigation showed that the application was processed at the Target store in White Plains. An employee stated a person presented a driver's license in the man's name for identification. The phone number written on the application belonged to the man's brother. The brother said he had been in Target that day, but he did not attempt to open a credit card.
On May 26, a Catherine Road woman reported someone hacked into her Gmail account and sent fraudulent emails to various contacts. One email was sent to her accountant, requesting him to issue a check for an undisclosed sum of money. The check was to be sent out via overnight mail following certain instructions. She instructed her accountant the email was fraudulent. The woman also told police she received a call from Charles Schwab bank on May 19. The purpose of this call was to ask for a verbal authorization to release funds, as per instructions on an electronic letter of authorization. The woman initially agreed to release the funds because she assumed the letter of authorization was valid. Although she did not immediately recognize the letter of authorization, she thought her husband might have initiated it. However after she realized the letter was fraudulent, she attempted to cancel the transaction. The suspicious letter of authorization contained an image of the woman's signature inserted via Photoshop. Further investigation revealed the woman recently received an invoice for a painting that neither she nor her husband purchased. The woman was following up with Charles Schwab.
On May 26, an Olmsted Road man received a Visa card in the mail. He called the issuing creditor and explained he never asked for the card. The creditor said someone applied for the card at a Wal-Mart store in Georgia. The creditor cancelled the fraudulent card. After this occurred, the man realized a similar incident happened with his wife. On May 18, she received a Chase credit card in the mail, even though she never applied for this card. She contacted Chase's fraud department and cancelled the card. The couple also contacted the credit reporting agencies and placed a fraud alert on their credit profile.
On May 30, a Barry Road resident reported someone filed a fraudulent 2014 tax return in his name, using his Social Security number.
Missing person
A Heathcote woman called police around 1 a.m., May 28, because she had not seen her husband since 7:45 p.m. the previous evening. She was worried because her husband did not have any identification on him. Police called neighboring jurisdictions and area hospitals. A nurse at White Plains Hospital Center said there was an unidentified patient fitting the husband's description at the hospital. Police drove to WPHC and used a Facetime call feature to connect the woman with the patient. She identified the patient as her husband. The husband's name and other pertinent information were given to hospital staff.
Father/son dispute
A Heathcote father called police to help mediate a dispute with his son over the use of a car May 28. The father said his son was attempting to drive away without his permission. The son said he needed to pick up prescription medication from CVS. Police mediated the disagreement and provided information about family resources, in case the father or son needed further assistance.
Mother/daughter dispute
On May 31, a Greenacres resident called police about yelling coming from a neighbor's house. Patrol arrived and found a mother and her 18-year-old daughter arguing. The argument was about the mother's boyfriend, whom the daughter said she did not like. Patrol advised the daughter that since she is 18, "she either needs to cooperate with her mother or find another place to stay."
Criminal mischief
Police suspected three young men in their twenties, who were walking from White Plains to Eastchester along Post Road, might be responsible for several acts of criminal mischief on Post Road at 3:30 a.m., May 30. According to the report, the men were each dressed in black shorts and black tee shirts, and they were "sweating profusely." Police were first called to the area by a passing motorist who reported debris in the roadway. Patrol noticed several contractors' bags filled with grass clippings placed in the center of the street. The young men denied any involvement the bags. Further investigation uncovered traffic cones in the roadway, more bags of lawn clippings in the roadway, and a damaged wooden fence.
Cracked windshield
On May 27, a Webster Road man reported finding a crack in his car's windshield. It occurred while the car was parked in the man's Webster Road driveway from May 22 to May 27. The man said village highway workers were repairing the road during the time the windshield was damaged. Police noted gravel in the road and near the car. They attempted to contact the highway department for follow-up.
Shattered car window
The driver's side window of a 2014 Subaru parked on Sheldrake Road was shattered by an unknown object between 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m., May 28. Nothing was missing from the car; nor was the interior disturbed. Police noticed loose gravel in the roadway, near the car's location.
Road rage
Police mediated a verbal dispute between a taxi driver and an ambulette driver on Cushman Road May 29. The taxi driver claimed the ambulette driver "banged on his window and asked him to move" so the ambulette could pull into traffic in Greenburgh. The ambulette driver said the taxi driver was blocking his way and he only "tapped" on the widow. The ambulette driver said the taxi then followed him to Cushman Road, where he was scheduled to pick up a passenger. Police advised the drivers to refrain from speaking with each other and to contact Greenburgh police for further assistance.
Suspicious vans
While a teacher from The Little School, on Mamaroneck Road, was walking to her car around 1:15 p.m., May 27, a man got out of gray van and approached her, made compliments about her appearance and started to follow her. He left his car idling during this time. The teacher found the man's behavior suspicious and did not welcome his compliments or his attempt to shake her hand. According to her account, she replied "No, thank you" and started dialing her cell phone to call the school's office. At this point, the man returned to his van and left. The man was described as a tall, black man with a slim, athletic build. He was described as wearing shiny red athletic shorts and a fitted black tee shirt. Police increased ride-bys as a precaution.
On May 27, a Farragut Road mother reported a man in a gray van called out to her daughter around 3:45 p.m. The man was described as a white man with gray hair, wearing sunglasses. Black letters spelled out "4 x 4" on the side of his van.
Knock knock
A Berkeley Road woman reported someone knocked on her door at 7:45 p.m., May 27. The woman did not look out the window or answer the door because she found the unexpected knocking unusual. Police canvassed the neighborhood but did not find anything suspicious.
Domestic trouble
A woman came to police for help contacting her daughter May 31. The daughter was allegedly with the woman's husband, from whom the woman was getting a divorce. The woman said she had not heard from her daughter and was worried about her whereabouts. Police contacted the husband. He said he was out to dinner with the daughter and advised that she would most likely be spending the night at his house. Patrol advised the divorcing couple to contact their lawyers for help in resolving the issue, which had been ongoing.
Welfare checks
Around 12:30 a.m., March 27, police checked the welfare of a student after a classmate expressed concerns due to Facebook messages. The messages spoke about a decline in the students' friendship and concluded with "an unusual poem" and statements like "Goodbye, old friend." Police checked on the classmate who posted the poem and messages. They determined he was not a risk to himself or others. Police admonished him for using social media to convey statements that could be construed as indications that he wanted to harm himself or others. The boys were advised to refrain from communicating with each other through social media in the future.
On May 31, police checked on a Woodland Place man at the request of his son. The son was concerned because he had not been able to reach his father for several hours. Patrol went to the man's house. He was fine, and he promised to contact his son.
Dog bite
On May 27, a Popham Lane mother reported her nine-year-old son was bitten by a friend's dog while on a play date at the friend's house on May 21. The boy's left forearm and the left side of his chest were bitten. The boy received one stitch in his forearm to treat the bite. The dog was allegedly confined in the kitchen at the friend's house when the bite occurred. The mother of the friend was not home during the play date, and the boys were being supervised by a nanny. Police talked to the dog's owner. She said the dog was properly licensed and up-to-date on all vaccinations.
Lost dog
A woman found a black and white Border Collie near Drake Road and brought the dog to headquarters May 27. About 10 minutes later, the dog's owner arrived at headquarters looking for his dog. Police reunited the man and his dog.
Injured bird
On May 29, a Kingston Road resident reported "animal noises" in her attic. Police pulled down the attic stairs and noticed a small bird trapped there. The bird seemed injured and unable to fly. The resident offered to place the bird in a cardboard box and contact an animal rehabilitator. Patrol provided her with appropriate contact numbers.
Parking scofflaw
On May 28, while police were issuing a summons to the owner of a car parked at an expired meter on East Parkway, it was determined the car was associated with a parking ticket scofflaw. The registered owners of the car – Michael Rubin and Linda Sarett, of Scarsdale – owed $360 in unpaid parking tickets. Their car was towed to the police impound lot.
Gas pump
After paying for gas, a customer drove away from a Scarsdale Avenue gas station with the gasoline pump hose attached to her car May 29. It damaged the gas pump. The customer requested a police report for insurance purposes.
Cars and roadways
On May 29, a Secor Road resident complained about school buses "idling" in front of his house and causing "fumes" to come in through the windows. Police observed traffic on the street and did not see any idling buses. Patrol brought the resident's concerns to the attention of the school bus transportation supervisor. The supervisor thanked patrol for the information. He said he would speak with drivers about the resident's concerns.
A landscaper was using a wheelbarrow to transport mulch from a pile in the roadway to a landscaping job on Brookby Road May 29. Police advised the landscaper to move the mulch out of the roadway and deposit it in a less obtrusive location.
Police stopped two motorists for passing a stopped school bus on Popham Road May 29. Summonses were issued, with court appearance dates of June 17.
Five car accidents were reported in the village this week.
Arrest on warrant
Daniel Raymond Smith, 35, of Bronxville, was arrested on the strength of a bench warrant issued out of Scarsdale Village Justice Court for failing to appear on vehicle and traffic charges on Jan 21. The arrest was a result of an unrelated arrest in Harrison, during which Harrison police uncovered the outstanding warrant in Scarsdale. An additional warrant was also outstanding in Yonkers. Smith was released on his own recognizance with an appearance ticket issued for June 3.
Civil matters
On May 28, a Fenimore Road woman reported workers from a neighbor's construction site ruined some of her plants by walking and driving on them. Police talked to the construction foreman, who said he would talk to his workers about being more careful. He offered to pay for the damaged plants. Patrol advised the woman she could follow up in civil court if necessary.
A Stratton Road resident complained that dust from masonry work in Penn Boulevard was blowing into her house, causing her allergies to worsen, May 29. The resident accused the mason of not properly wetting down the stone before cutting. The contractor said the resident yelled at him. In turn, the resident said the contractor cursed at her. Patrol advised them to refrain from speaking with each other and told them they could follow up in civil court.
Village code
On May 28, a Crest Lane resident complained that a neighbor habitually leaves garbage cans at the curb for long periods of time and does not properly cut the lawn. The resident told police she had already spoken to staff at Village Hall and learned that village code identifies grass "higher than 15 inches" as a violation. When the resident complained to police, the grass was shorter than 15 inches. Police told the resident they could not issue a summons for the garbage cans unless a violation was being committed. Since it was a sanitation pickup day, police could not issue a summons for the cans left at the curb that day. The resident said she would call back when she noticed a violation was occurring.
On May 31, police removed an advertising sign from a telephone pole on Post Road. The sign was for handyman services.
Lost and found
On May 27, a Tompkins Road man reported losing his and his wife's Japanese passports. He last saw them in his house in February. He said the passports might have gotten misplaced when he and his wife were moving furniture around.
On May 27, a woman reported losing her black Gucci wallet somewhere in the village. The wallet contained her driver's license, credit cards and cash.
Fire
Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of a possible natural gas leak on Gaylor Road May 26.
Firefighters opened windows to ventilate a Dunham Road house after a carbon monoxide alarm sounded May 26. They shut off the stove and stood by for Con Edison.
Firefighters rolled up a broken telephone wire to get it out of the way on White Road May 26. They informed the dispatcher, who reported the broken wire to Verizon.
Firefighters assisted emergency Haz-Mat workers with a leaking 500-gallon, underground propane tank on Mayflower Road May 27.
Firefighters were called to a "brush fire" on Forest Lane May 28. There, they found a resident burning bamboo in his backyard. Firefighters extinguished the fire using the residents' garden hose. Since the house was actually within the jurisdiction of New Rochelle, New Rochelle Fire Department was informed and responded to the scene.
Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of a natural gas odor on Black Birch Lane May 29.
On May 29, an overheating air handler in a Willow Lane house was creating a burning odor and smoke. Firefighters shut down the air handler and advised the homeowner to have it serviced.
Firefighters forced open the doors and released one person from a stuck elevator in Village Hall May 30. They placed the elevator out of service and notified management to have the elevator serviced.
This week, firefighters assisted at one car accident in the village. They responded to two false carbon monoxide alarms and 14 false fire alarms caused by device malfunction, cooking smoke, shower steam, construction dust and cigarette smoke.
This 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.
Burglar Arrested After Breaking into Homes in Fox Meadow and Edgemont
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 4401
A brazen burglar broke into two homes on Sunday morning before he was pursued on foot and caught by a homeowner from Clubway in Edgemont. The suspect, who has been identified as Bryan Mitchell, a 20 year-old homeless man, was first found in a home in a home on Fox Meadow Road at 11:02 am. The resident of the home in Fox Meadow heard a noise in the sunroom and confronted Bryan who fled on foot. They called police who broadcast his description out to area police departments.
At the same time, Mitchell ran into a home on Clubway in Scarsdale where the homeowner found him hiding in a closet. Mitchell ran toward Hartsdale and the homeowner ran after him. Several pedestrians assisted him and the homeowner caught Bryan and held him until the police arrived. He was found holding several items from the house in Fox Meadow and the home on Clubway. The Scarsdale resident was brought in to identify him and some items from her home. He was arrested and charged with burglary in the second degree, which is a class C-Felony. No one was injured. He is currently being held pending arraignment. He will also be charged by the Scarsdale police.
Police catch suspect after homeowner interrupts Fox Meadow Road burglary
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- Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig
- Hits: 10286
On Sunday, May 24, at approximately 11:02 a.m., a Fox Meadow Road resident called Scarsdale police to advise of a burglary in progress at her residence. She said she heard the outside door to her attached sunroom creaking, followed by rustling noises in the sunroom. When she checked on the noises, she first saw a person's shadow through her sheer curtains and shouted "Who's there?" She then saw a male perpetrator who immediately fled on foot. He headed north on Fox Meadow Road toward the Hartsdale train station. Scarsdale patrol units responded to the area within 2 minutes and broadcast a description of the suspect to area police departments. The suspect was described as a thin, dark-skinned man, approximately 6 feet tall, with full hair, wearing khaki shorts, a dark colored shirt and sneakers.
An initial investigation of the Fox Meadow Road house revealed that several exterior storm doors, which are normally closed, had been opened, and a blue tarp that usually leans against one of the doors had been moved. Because interior doors to the house remained locked, it is believed that the suspect only entered the sunroom and the garage. In the garage, a bag of tools was found open, and tools were scattered about. Some tools appeared to be missing, and an unfamiliar screwdriver – old and slightly bent – was lying with the homeowner's tools on the floor. Police noted fresh footprints in the yard.
Several minutes later the Greenburgh Police Department advised that they were detaining a suspect – Bryan Elroy Mitchell, 20 – just over the line in Hartsdale. According to police records, Mitchell has been identified as homeless. According to police, Mitchell had just completed a burglary of a residence in Greenburgh, when the homeowner found him in a closet. When Mitchell ran, the homeowner chased after him on East Hartsdale Avenue. Several pedestrians joined the chase. The civilians caught Mitchell and held him until Greenburgh police arrived. While searching Mitchell, Greenburgh police found a bag containing a large amount of jewelry and a screwdriver.
The homeowner of the Fox Meadow Road house identified the suspect as the same man she saw in her sunroom. She also identified the screwdriver as belonging to her, and police confirmed a screwdriver was missing from the tool set in her garage.
Mitchell was first arrested by the Greenburgh Police Department for the burglary in Greenburgh. Criminal charges of third-degree burglary (illegal entry with intent to commit a crime) and petit larceny were lodged by the Scarsdale Police Department for the Scarsdale burglary. Mitchell was remanded to Westchester County Jail, as police continue their investigation into his possible involvement with other area burglaries.
Stolen
On May 23, a Drake Road woman reported three azalea bushes, worth $150, were ripped out of landscaping beds near the end of her driveway. The woman said she last saw the bushes in place on May 21. Due to the "clean" appearance of the holes left behind, the woman did not believe an animal dug up the bushes.
On May 25, a Bradford Road woman reported a gold ring with a green stone was stolen from the top of the dresser in her bedroom sometime between May 21 and 22. The woman said she regularly employs a housekeeper and a home health aide, and recently, a stair left technician had also been in the house. Police started to follow up, but the woman said she wanted to file the report for documentation purposes only.
Criminal mischief
On May 25, an Evan Court tenant reported a broken sliding glass door at her rental townhouse. The tenant explained she and her daughter were home on May 22, and they heard the sound of shattering glass around 11:30 p.m. that night. However, they did not investigate the noise further. On May 25, the tenant noticed the exterior pane of the double-paned sliding glass door was broken. Police examined the door and did not find any pry marks or signs of attempted criminal entry. Nor did they find any large rocks nearby. Police advised the tenant and landlord of the benefits of using a home security system for protection.
Scam
A Post Road man received approximately nine unwanted calls from May 21 to May 22. An unknown caller told the man he had won two million dollars and requested personal information to process the win. The man told the caller he was not interested; however the caller kept calling back. Police advised the man to inform them if the calls continued.
Sidewalk
A 93-year-old Fox Meadow Road woman tripped on a damaged section of bluestone sidewalk on Harwood Court May 21. She scraped both knees, but she refused medical treatment. Police placed an orange safety cone over the damaged area of the sidewalk and notified the highway department.
Packages
On May 18, a Circle Road resident received an unexpected package and was nervous about opening it. Police helped the resident determine the sender of the package by using address information. The package contained a golden-colored egg filled with confetti and a request to participate in a family event.
An anonymous Good Samaritan found a FedEx package on Post Road and brought it to headquarters May 22. The package was addressed to a Summerfield Road address. Police attempted to contact the intended recipient, but they were not immediately successful.
Garbage
On May 21, a Mamaroneck Road man reported people sometimes throw garbage into his dumpster of recyclables, and then the sanitation department does not pick up the recyclables. Police advised the man to contact the sanitation department for a possible solution.
Skateboarders
On May 22, a custodian from Greenacres School called police about four skateboarding boys who were attempting to remove wood from a school dumpster. When the custodian told them to leave the dumpster alone, the boys allegedly became disrespectful. Police advised the boys to not remove anything from school dumpsters, to not disrupt school property, and to not leave any debris on school grounds. Police told the boys to follow the custodian's instructions because the custodian is in charge of school property.
Lost car
A Christie Place man told police his car had been stolen May 22. Shortly thereafter, the man learned his wife had moved his car without telling him. He found his car, and all was in good order.
Strange noises
A Morris Lane resident reported "noises outside" her house around 1 a.m., May 25. Police investigated the area and found nothing unusual. However, as noted in the police log, "a sprinkler system was on and changing zones at this time."
Doorbell
Someone rang a Penn Boulevard resident's doorbell at 2 a.m., May 25. Police canvassed the area and found nothing unusual. But they increased patrols of the area.
Cab fare
A cab driver dropped a woman off at the corner of Popham and Chase roads at 11 a.m., May 25, and did not get paid. The woman said she did not have any money to pay the fare. She told the driver she would get money from her Spencer Place workplace and return to pay him. When she did not return, the driver called police. Patrol went to the woman's workplace and spoke with her. She said she got money, came outside to pay the driver but was unable to find him. She alleged he "wasn't in the same spot." She paid the driver, and the driver left.
Help
A Nelson Road man brought a semi-automatic rifle to headquarter for destruction May 19.
On May 19, police checked the welfare of a Hampton Road woman after receiving a call from the woman's concerned daughter. The woman said she would contact her daughter.
Cars and roadways, wires
On May 18, an Old Lyme Road resident called police about low hanging telephone wires on the street. The wires were so low that they were putting pressure on part of the resident's roof and causing it to sag. Police advised the resident to contact Verizon.
On May 20, police issued verbal warnings to drivers of illegally parked cars on Fayette Road.
On May 20, police put yellow tape and safety cones around a Con Edison road plate on Harvest Drive.
Police issued a summons to a driver who used Village Hall parking lot as a cut-though May 22. The driver entered the parking lot, did not stop to conduct any business and proceeded through the lot. The summons was issued for "disobeying a traffic control device" because the driver did not follow the instructions communicated by a "No Thru Traffic" sign.
On May 22, a 17-year-old Split Tree Road girl, who was driving a 2014 Mercedes Benz, did not properly yield to a police car on Post Road. Two patrol officers initiated a traffic stop. The car's registration was shown to have been suspended on Jan.23, due to "insurance not in effect." Police removed the plates from the car, issued the girl a summons, and had the car towed to the girl's house.
On May 22, while conducting routine traffic patrol, a license plate reader detected a car with a suspended registration travelling south on Post Road. The registration had been suspended on April 11 for "insurance lapse." Police stopped the car – a 1999 Lexus, driven by an 86-year-old Rye woman. Further investigation revealed the woman's license was also suspended because of "insurance lapse." Police escorted the woman to her daughter-in-law's house on Wayside Lane and advised the daughter-in-law of the situation. Police removed the license plates from the car and issued the woman a summons. They also provided the daughter-in-law with contact information for the SPD older adult advocate.
Police issued a summons to the owner of a parked car that was partially blocking an Autenreith Road driveway May 22.
Police helped the driver of a disabled car arrange for a tow from Popham Road May 22.
Police directed traffic on Post Road while highway workers removed a fallen tree May 22.
Police notified the highway department about a fallen tree branch obstructing Tory Lane May 23. As a precaution, police placed cones and tape around the branch.
Fourteen car accidents were reported in the village this week. One involved a dog being struck on Oxford Road May 21.
Animals
A Cooper Road resident heard "weird animal screaming" outside around 11:45 p.m., May 20. Police investigated the area and saw two coyotes in a Cooper Road backyard. The animals ran off toward Murray Hill Road.
A Forest Lane dog was loose on Eastwoods Lane May 25. Police issued the owner a warning. The owner said an electric fence was being installed later in the week.
Village code
On May 18, police removed illegally posted signs from utility poles on Heathcote and Mamaroneck roads. Police issued summons to the people responsible for posting the signs.
On May 20, police advised a solicitor on Nelson Road about village code concerning permissible hours for soliciting. The solicitor assured police he and his team would abide by village code.
A Ridgecrest East resident complained about loud music coming from a Tompkins Road party at 11:50 p.m., May 23. Police told the host about the complaint, and the music was promptly turned off.
At 7:15 p.m., May 25, a Duck Pond Road resident reported people were making noise outside his house. Police dispersed a woman and her friend who were sitting on a bench near Duck Pond and talking.
Lost and found
A license plate fell off of a delivery truck owned by Zachys Wine and Liquor Store May 21. The store manager reported it for the purpose of requesting a replacement plate.
Fire
Con Edison was informed about a slight gas odor in a Boulevard house May 19.
Water was leaking inside a Horseguard Lane house, and the homeowner asked firefighters to turn off valves to isolate the leak. This was not successful; so firefighters called the water department to turn off the water supply from the street May 19.
Firefighters stood by a disabled vehicle at Popham and Autenreith roads until police arrived May 20.
A Palmer Avenue stove was not lighting properly May 20. Firefighters confirmed gas was not leaking from the stove. Firefighters advised the homeowner to contact an appliance repairperson.
Firefighters used a 6-foot hook to retrieve keys from a storm drain in the parking area of Boniface Circle and Spencer Place May 20.
On May 21, firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of a dislodged natural gas curb box valve on Fox Meadow Road. The valve became dislodged by a contractor's front-end loader.
A Cooper Road homeowner reported a sulfur smell inside the house May 24. Firefighters found a battery charger on a car overheating in the garage. The battery was overcharging and off-gassing. Firefighters removed the battery charger from the garage and advised the homeowner to leave doors and windows open for ventilation.
Firefighters shut the water supply to a Brewster Road house to stop a leaking pipe May 24.
This week, firefighters assisted at one car accident in the village. They responded to one false carbon monoxide alarm and 21 false fire alarms caused by device malfunction, cooking smoke, construction dust, dust from a vacuum cleaner and burnt food in a microwave.
This report covering police and fire department activity from May 18 through May 25 was compiled from official information.
This 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.
Police Report: Suspect Arrested with Stolen Groceries
- Details
- Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig
- Hits: 8371
On May 17, police arrested Maria Deluca, 39, of Scarsdale, on charges of petit larceny after she was found with a basket of stolen groceries, taken from DeCicco's Marketplace on East Parkway. According to the police report, officers responded to DeCicco's Marketplace at 2 p.m., May 17, on the report of a larceny in progress. There, they learned the suspect had already left the store and was being followed by an assistant manager. The assistant manager called in the suspect's location, and police intercepted her on Garth Road. Deluca was arrested and taken to headquarters. DeCicco's personnel compiled an inventory of the 21 stolen items, valued at $60.71, in Deluca's possession. Police also found on Deluca an itemized grocery list matching the stolen grocery items. They vouchered this list as evidence, photographed the stolen groceries and returned the items to the supermarket. While Deluca was at headquarters, at 5:45 p.m., a paramedic from Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps administered her prescription medication. Deluca was released on $100 cash bail to her mother at 6:35 p.m. She was ordered to appear in Scarsdale Village Justice Court on May 27, where she will be arraigned on charges.
Burglaries
Shortly before midnight, May 17, a Brite Avenue couple reported their house had been burglarized and a safe was stolen. The burglary occurred while the couple was out of the house between 7:15 p.m. and 11:55 p.m., May 16. Upon returning home, the couple found a garage window open and the interior door from the garage into the house ajar. The couple said the garage window had not been opened in 20 years. Inside the house, the master bedroom and master bedroom closet were tossed. A safe from the master bedroom was missing.
At 10 p.m., May 17, after returning home from a weekend trip, a Tory Lane homeowner and her daughter noticed their house had been burglarized while they were away. They left the house at 6 a.m., May 15, set the alarm system and noted everything was in good order. Upon returning home, the homeowner said she deactivated the alarm. Upstairs, she and her daughter noticed all four bedrooms had been rummaged through. Drawers and closet doors were open, and jewelry boxes were open and empty. While checking the bedrooms, police noticed a second-floor window lock lying on the ground and finger streaks on the window. Police believe this second-floor window was the entry and exit point of the suspect. On the ground floor, a screen had also been removed from a locked kitchen window, and there were pry marks on the bottom of that window. The homeowner said jewelry, cash and a laptop computer were missing from the house.
Criminal mischief
The driver's side window of an Edgewood Road woman's 2011 Mazda was broken sometime between the evening of May 11 and the morning of May 12. The car was parked in the woman's driveway, close to her house, when the vandalism occurred. The car was unlocked at the time. Nothing was found to be missing from the car when the woman discovered the broken window.
Identity theft
A Fox Meadow Road couple discovered two unauthorized debits on their Chase Bank business checking account on May 13 and 14. They reported the fraudulent activity to Chase and closed the account to secure it.
Fraudulent tax returns
On May 11, two Franklin Road women reported someone filed fraudulent tax returns in their names, using their Social Security numbers. The incidents were reported separately and were unrelated.
On May 13, a Crawford Lane man reported someone filed a fraudulent tax return in his name, using his Social Security number.
On May 13, a Lyons Road man reported someone filed a fraudulent tax return in his name, using his Social Security number.
IRS scam
A Sprague Road man received a call from a person alleging to be an IRS employee May 11. The caller said the man owed the IRS $1,947 in back taxes and threatened legal action if the man did not promptly pay the back taxes. The man realized the call was a scam, hung up and reported it to police.
Marijuana
Kids playing soccer with their father in Drake Road Park found a Ziploc bag containing marijuana and drug paraphernalia in a wooded area May 16. According to an inventory contained in the police report, the Ziploc bag contained the following: a marijuana grinder, an electronic pocket scale, 7 small glassine bags filled with marijuana and an empty prescription bottle. The total amount of marijuana was approximately 15.5 grams. Police called the person whose name was printed on the prescription bottle label and left a voicemail for follow-up.
Disputes
On May 13 and 14, a Village Hall employee drove through a school lot, on Popham Road, to access the lower level of the Village Hall parking lot. The employee said a man stopped her from proceeding and accused her of speeding through the school lot. She reported the altercation to police. Police spoke with the man who stopped the employee. He was a parent of child at the school, and he expressed concerned about the employee "speeding through the lot" while children were being dropped off. The employee denied speeding through the lot. Patrol advised the man to contact police if he has any further concerns about other people's driving or safety.
On May 17, the manager of Patisserie Salzburg reported a customer verbally insulted her, following confusion with the customer's order May 17. When police arrived, the customer was sitting at an outdoor table, eating her food. The manager said the customer was welcome to remain there and to return in the future. However, the manger asked patrol to speak with the customer with regard to the incident. Patrol asked the customer for her side of the story. The customer said there had been confusion with her order, and she believed she might have been charged for the meal twice. She said she had asked the manager for a receipt to verify the amount charged. The customer said a verbal altercation ensued, and the customer was then given two receipts – a customer copy and a merchant copy. The customer said she was no longer concerned about possible duplicate charges, but she was upset about "poor customer service." She said she was planning on speaking with the restaurant's manager the next day.
Baseball
While parked at a Little League game at Crossway field May 15, a Mayflower Road man's 2014 Mercedes-Benz was stuck by an errant baseball. The baseball dented the car's hood.
Suspicious item
On May 11, a caller reported an open bottle with a rock placed on top of it in a Freightway garage elevator. Police examined the bottle in question – an empty Snapple bottle – and the rock. Police determined these items to be safe and disposed of them.
Suspicious men
Two men claiming to be Verizon employees knocked on a Woodland Place door, advising a resident (who was a young boy) about an alleged "update" May 11. The boy spoke to the men through the door and told them to come back at later. The boy saw the men leave the doorstep, but he did not notice their method of travel. After the boy's mother got home, she called Verizon to inquire about the men. A representative said Verizon did not have any scheduled solicitors in the area that day.
Lost in the house
A Boulevard man called police because he was worried about his daughter at 10 p.m., May 12. The man told police his daughter had left the house to walk the dog at 6 p.m., and she had not yet returned home. Police called the daughter, who said she was actually at home – in the same house as her father. Apparently, he had not seen her come in.
Unattended bag
Police responded to HSBC Bank, on Popham Road, on the report of an unattended backpack outside the building May 15. There, they found a green canvas bag containing garbage. They disposed of the bag.
Help
A man walked to headquarters with his dog and told police he was too tired to walk home May 13. Police called the man's mother, and she picked up the man and his dog.
A caller reported a homeless man sleeping on a bench on Chase Road at 7:15 a.m., May 15. On scene, patrol saw a woman, who lives at a New Rochelle shelter, reading a newspaper on a Chase Road bench. She had bottles with her and said she was waiting for DeCicco's Marketplace to open. She wanted to return the bottles for deposit and do some shopping. Police offered medical assistance and support services, but the woman declined.
A caller reported a coyote on Brittany Close at 8 a.m., May 15. When police arrived, they did not see any coyotes in the area. However, as a safety precaution, patrol stayed on scene as a group of school children got on a school bus.
Scofflaw
On May 11, while writing a ticket for a 2007 Honda Accord parked at an expired meter on Scarsdale Avenue, the parking enforcement officer realized the car's registered owner – Denise Lubowsky, of Putnam Valley – was associated with a scofflaw. A Scarsdale Village Justice Court clerk confirmed Lubowsky owed $360 in parking fines. As a result, police impounded the car.
On May 14, while police were writing a parking ticket for a 2014 Mercedes-Benz parked at an expired meter on Scarsdale Avenue, the owner – Helen Badt – returned to her car. Police told her she owed $720 in unresolved parking fines. She was advised to resolve the matter at Scarsdale Village Justice Court.
Cars and roadways
Police called a tow truck to remove a sanitation truck with a broken clutch from Post Road May 11.
A man sleeping in his car on Herkimer Road at 7:30 a.m., May 12, told police his car had broken down. He said he was napping while waiting for AAA.
Police stopped a truck without a visible license plate on Popham Road May 12. The truck driver showed patrol the location of the rear license plate. Patrol noted the truck contained construction debris and questioned the driver about the truck's lack of a solid waste decal issued by Westchester County. The driver said he had a New York City solid waste permit. Police advised him of local regulations and issued him a summons.
Police informed Cablevision about a low hanging wire on Ardmore Road May 12.
Police closed Bell Road while Con Edison repaired a fallen electrical wire May 13. Firefighters assisted.
A caller said some kids moved a wooden board covering a hole on Montrose Road May 14. Patrol found a group of boys skateboarding behind Greenacres School. The boys admitted to moving the board. The boys returned the board to its proper place after being instructed by patrol.
Police put cones and tape around a sinkhole on Circle Road to maintain safety while waiting for the highway department to repair it May 15.
A sign advising drivers to "Stay to the right" fell over on an entry ramp to the northbound Hutchinson River Parkway, at Mamaroneck Road, May 15. Police placed the sign by the side of the road and informed Westchester County police.
Police helped push a disabled car off of East Parkway May 15. The driver had called AAA and was waiting for a mechanic to respond.
While on overnight patrol May 16, police noticed the SPD speed wagon, placed on Heathcote Road to monitor drivers' speed, had fallen over. Police set the unit upright and examined it for damage. No damage was found, and police confirmed the device was in proper working order.
Fifteen car accidents were reported in the village this week.
Dogs
After callers complained about a previously loose dog on Boulevard, police found the dog's owner and advised him of village code May 12. The owner apologized and said his dog had been off leash only for a moment.
On May 13, a Sprague Road woman found a neighbor's dog loose in the street. She called police because she was worried the dog's elderly owners might need assistance. Police attempted to contact the dog's owners, but they were not at home. The woman said she would keep the dog at her house until the owners returned. Police left a message for the owners, informing them of the dog's whereabouts and providing them with the woman's contact information. Later the woman called police and told them the dog had gotten loose from her backyard and was possibly heading home. Police went to the dog's house and found it on the front porch. The owners still were not at home. Police secured the dog to the front porch and contacted the owners' landlord. The landlord said he would try to contact his tenants, who were the dog's owners.
A Nelson Road woman expressed concern about a Roosevelt Place pit bull possibly showing signs of aggression around children May 15. The woman alleged the dog bangs into the front door and barks when it sees children playing at Edgewood School. The animal control officer spoke with the dog's owners. They provided paperwork documenting the dog's license and vaccines. According to the police report, the dog showed no signs of aggressive behavior in the presence of police.
Civil matter
A Scarsdale postal worker reported a "difficult" working situation with his boss May 14. The boss said the worker has had problems with various postal branches in the past. Police advised the worker and his boss to report the situation with their union and attempt to resolve the matter through civil means.
Village code
Responding to a report of kids "drinking and smoking things" by Crane Berkeley Pond at 10:30 p.m., May 11, police encountered a girl and a boy smoking cigarettes and talking by the lake. There was no evidence of alcohol or criminal activity. Police advised them that the park was closed after dark, and the couple left.
At 11:30 p.m., May 11, police dispersed a boy and a girl from the Edgewood School playground after a neighbor complained of noise.
On May 13, police advised a construction worker at a Huntington Avenue job site about village code concerning noise and the use of power tools.
Neighbors complained about loud music at Saxon Woods Golf Club at 9:30 p.m., May 14. Patrol advised the club's manager to lower the volume of the music.
Police issued a verbal warning to workers cutting blue stone with power tools on Hampton Road at 8:40 a.m., May 17. Police advised the workers of village code regarding noise and power tools.
Lost and found
On May 11, a Vernon Road doctor reported losing his New York Police Department surgeon ID card. He said he lost the card on April 4, while traveling home from work in the Bronx. He said his young child had been playing with his wallet at that time, and this might have caused the card to fall out and get lost.
Fire
An Innes Road resident accidentally got locked out her house May 11. Firefighters arrived to help the resident, but she found her keys in the meantime.
Firefighters helped a Brown Road resident get back in her house after she was accidentally locked out May 12.
On May 12, firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of a fallen branch on primary electrical wires on Boulevard.
Firefighters checked a Madison Road house after the homeowner reported a possible interior natural gas odor May 16. Firefighters checked the house and determined the odor was not dangerous. It was determined to be caused by cleaning products.
Firefighters evacuated Saxon Woods Golf Club after someone mixed ammonia and bleach in a cleaning bucket May 17. Firefighters advised management and staff about the danger of poisonous gas resulting from the mixture of these two chemicals. Firefighters safely dumped the bucket of chemicals, set up fans to ventilate the clubhouse and confirmed oxygen levels were safe.
This week, firefighters assisted at five car accidents in the village and on parkways. They responded to three false carbon monoxide alarms and 20 false fire alarms caused by device malfunction, cooking smoke, water leaking into detector heads, construction dust, a basketball striking a detector head, shower steam and smoke from an E-cigarette.
This report covering police and fire department activity from May 11-17 was compiled from official information.This 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.
