Details

Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig

Published: 11 February 2015

Created: 11 February 2015

Last Updated: 11 February 2015

Hits: 9844

A hit-and-run accident resulted in the arrest of a man and a woman who were found with numerous prescriptions for controlled substances and prescription pads in their car on Feb. 5. At approximately 12 noon, police were called to Post and Crane Roads, on the report of a hit-and-run accident involving a 2010 Honda that allegedly rear-ended a 2007 Subaru. After getting out of his car to inspect the damage from the accident, the Honda driver – Anthony J. Melendez, 27, of New York City – switched seats with his passenger – Hershey P. Delapaz, 29, of Scarsdale – and they fled the scene. Police caught up with the damaged Honda on Chase Road and initiated a traffic stop. Delapaz was driving. Neither she nor Melendez was able to produce their license, and police soon discovered that both had been suspended. In Melendez's case, his license had been suspended twice – for possession and sale of drugs and for administrative reasons. While Delapaz was looking for her license in her purse, police noticed a prescription pad sticking out of an interior purse pocket in plain view. Questioned about the pad, Delapaz stated, "I work there and have to give prescriptions to my patients, like B12." Additionally, Melendez was found to be carrying a prescription pad in his coat pocket. A further search of the car uncovered a prescription bottle assigned to Delapaz as the patient, prescription bottles in other patients' names (including an empty bottle of 90 Oxycodone pills that had been filled on Feb. 1), several prescriptions for various medications written to people with different names, dozens of used blood vials, used butterfly needles (commonly used to draw blood) and used blood vials containing residual blood from unknown people, and a large bag of medical supplies. The medical supplies included latex gloves, rubber topped blood collection vials, butterfly needles and bandages. The Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps was called to pick up the new and used medical supplies and dispose of them through proper hazmat procedures. Police contacted the doctors' names listed on the various prescriptions and requested supporting depositions.

After consulting with the district attorney's office, Delapaz and Melendez were each arrested on the following charges: criminal possession of a forged instrument, fraud and deceit related to controlled substances, criminal possession of a hypodermic needle and third-degree unauthorized operation of a motor vehicle. Delapaz and Melendez were arraigned in Scarsdale Village Justice Court. Bail was set at $30,000 for Delapaz and $50,000 for Melendez. Unable to post bail, the pair was transported to Westchester County Jail. They are each due back in court on Feb. 11.

Cat custody
On Feb. 3, a woman asked police to help her retrieve her cat from a neighbor. She said her cat had wandered into a neighbor's yard, and the neighbor decided to keep the cat. Police advised the issue was a civil matter, and they could not repossess the cat. The woman asked police to stand by while she attempted to retrieve the cat, in case of a potential altercation. The woman called her neighbor and peacefully picked up the cat. Patrol advised the woman to consult with ASPCA police to inquire about avenues by which she could prosecute her neighbor.

Snow woes
Two White Road men who share a driveway were arguing about snow removal Feb. 2. One man, who already shoveled his side of the driveway, accused the other man of intentionally blowing snow onto his cleared side of the driveway. Police noted there seemed to be an even amount of snow dispersed across the driveway and advised the men their dispute was a civil matter.

Sheldrake Road neighbors were arguing about the alleged placement of snow on each other's property during snow removal efforts Feb. 2. Police advised the neighbors to resolve their differences or leave each other alone.

A Post Road resident's car got stuck in snow on the street outside his house Feb. 3. Police helped with traffic control while the man worked to get his car out of the snow.

No parking
A Bell Road man called police because a van, associated with work at a neighbor's house, was parked on the man's side of their shared driveway for more than 20 minutes Feb. 3. Police mediated the situation.

Wrong delivery
A UPS driver delivered an envelope to a Cornell Street house and left the envelope in the resident's mailbox Feb. 2. Soon thereafter, a U.S. postal worker removed the envelope from the mailbox and refused to return it to the driver. Police called a U.S. Postal Service supervisor to the scene, as the dispute involved a question about whether it was legal for UPS drivers to deliver packages and envelopes to mailboxes of private homes. The supervisor said he would investigate the question and speak with the UPD driver's regional supervisor. Police determined this was a corporate issue that would be handled internally.

Who's in charge?
A mother called police for help with her unruly child Feb. 5. Patrol arrived at the house and spoke with the child about the importance of behaving well and listening to his mother. The mother thanked police for the assistance.

Paint job
On Feb. 5, a Wildwood Road resident told police he was unhappy with a painter's work and fired him from the job. Shortly thereafter, the painter began placing "annoying phone calls" to the resident. The painter was asking to be paid for work already performed at the resident's house. The painter allegedly threatened the resident for not paying. Police called the painter and advised him to stop calling the resident. The painter was instructed to pursue claims for his outstanding bill in civil court. The painter told police he needed to go back to the house to pick up tools that had been left at the house. Police advised the painter to call them for assistance, should he return to the house for tools. The resident denied there were any tools left in the house. Police advised the resident to call them if the painter showed up at the house looking for money.

Welfare check
At the request of a family member who was concerned about an exchange of text messages, police checked the welfare of a man at 2:30 a.m., Feb. 6. The man was home and OK.

Cars and roadways
February 2: Police put caution tape on a low-hanging wire on Leatherstocking Lane. Dispatch notified Verizon.

Police asked several drivers to remove their parked cars from village streets in order to facilitate snow removal.

Police issued tickets to cars parked overnight at metered parking spaces in village center. These cars were hindering snow removal.

A car stalled on Heathcote Road, and AAA said they were too busy to respond quickly. At the driver's request, police called Heathcote Gulf for assistance.

Police advised construction workers to refrain from parking too close to the intersection of Cushman and Mamaroneck Roads

February 4:  Two drivers were arguing over the way in which one driver parked her car on Garth Road. Police advised the arguers to stay away from each other to avoid further incidents.

February 6: Police removed pieces of wood from the intersection of Griffen Avenue and Weaver Street.

A neighbor parked her car in an East Taunton Road woman's driveway without notifying the woman. Police tracked down the neighbor, and she moved her car.

February 7: Police put caution tape on a fallen wire on Johnson Road. Dispatch notified Verizon.

February 8: Cooper Road party guests parked their cars on both sides of the street, impeding the flow of traffic. Patrol asked the guests to move their cars to one side of the road, and they complied.

Eight car accidents were reported in the village and on parkways this week.

Raccoon
Police removed a dead raccoon from Post Road, near Lorraine Place, Feb. 4. The sanitation department was notified for pickup.

Lost and found
The owner of La Dentelliere found car keys on her store on East Parkway and gave them to police Feb. 3. Police vouchered the keys at headquarters for safekeeping.

A woman reported losing her wallet in Starbuck's on East Parkway Feb. 3. It contained an expired driver's license, one credit card and approximately $60 cash. Police advised the woman to cancel her credit card and monitor her finances.

Fire
Firefighters helped Con Edison workers check a Barry Road house for possible gas infiltration after a gas reading was detected on the street outside the house Feb. 2.

A malfunctioning oil burner released carbon monoxide in a Sprague Road house Feb. 2. Firefighters shut off the burner, ventilated the house and called Con Edison.

A delayed ignition of a stovetop burner caused a slight natural gas odor in a Stratton Road house Feb. 2. Firefighters advised the resident to call for service.

On Feb. 2, firefighters assisted Con Edison workers with a possible gas leak in the sewer system at Barry and Nelson roads.

A radon ventilation fan was making unusual noises in a Corell Road house Feb. 2. Firefighters advised the resident to service the fan.

A frozen pipe burst in a Springdale Road garage. Firefighters shut water to the affected line and recommended calling for service Feb. 3.

Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of a problem with natural gas delivery to a Mamaroneck Road heating unit Feb. 6.

Firefighters helped Con Edison workers check Haverford Road houses for possible gas migration from a leak on the street Feb. 6.

An employee of the Scarsdale Alternative School accidentally burnt toast inside the building, on Wayside Lane, Feb. 6. Firefighters responded to the activated alarm and ventilated the building.

Food residue burned in a toaster oven at Scarsdale Public Library Feb. 6. A smoky odor spread throughout the building, causing evacuation of staff and patrons. Firefighters removed the toaster oven and recommended replacing it. They ventilated the building and declared it safe for re-entry.

Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of an outdoor natural gas odor on Stratton Road Feb. 6.

The compressor of a refrigerator from 1977 was malfunctioning and causing an electrical burning odor in a Marjory Lane house Feb. 7. Firefighters unplugged the refrigerator and advised the resident to call for service.

Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of a gas odor on Birchall Road Feb. 7.

Firefighters received a report of a railroad track fire near Scarsdale train station Feb. 7. Finding a small fire burning on the third rail of the southbound tracks, firefighters secured the area and stood by for Metro North authorities. Metro North workers stopped trains and de-energized the third rail. The fire self extinguished. Firefighters stood by for maintenance personnel.

This week, firefighters responded to two false carbon monoxide alarms and six false fire alarms caused by device malfunction and cooking 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.

Details

Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 18 February 2015

Created: 18 February 2015

Last Updated: 25 February 2015

Hits: 5334

No one home, water running: Police were called to check on a Barry Road man from a concerned neighbor on February 9. The neighbor found mail piled up at the door and heard the sounds of water running inside. Police came to the house and could see water running in the sink through the window but were unable to get inside. They called the fire department who began to force their way in through the front door when the homeowner's daughter called and said her dad was with her. Police found a hidden key, gained entry and found water running and splashing. They were unable to turn it off and advised the woman to call a plumber.

Identity Thefts:

Online Fraud: On February 13 a Montrose Road man reported that he paid $2,450 on 12/14/14 to reserve a house rental at Stowe Vermont for 2/14 – 2/21/15 that he found on Homeaway.com. The funds were deducted from his account along with an additional $49. However as of 2/12 he never received the property address and access instructions. The link on Homaway was no longer working and Homeaway advised him to call VRBO their parent company. VRBO provided two contact phone numbers but he was unable to reach anyone. He called his bank to report the fraudulent deductions and the bank gave him a refund.

IRS: Brite Avenue residents reported that they received a fraudulent letter from the IRS on 2/12 stating that their tax return was received and more information was needed. The letter asked for personal information. The couple had not yet filed their taxes for 2014 so they called the IRS who is conducting an investigation.

A River Road man reported that six e-payments, totaling $2,522 were made from his business account to an American Express account that was not his own. The payments were made in the second half of 2014 and in January of 2015.

Water main breaks:

A water pipe broke on Jefferson Road on the afternoon of February 12 sending water into a home there. The fire department taped off the pipe and shut off the water source.

Another water pipe broke at Weaver Street near Crossway at 2:20 am on 2/16 and cause icing on the roadway. The Water Department was notified.

Strange:

On 2/11 a Boulder Brook Road woman reported that a man came to the door of her home when she was not home and told her son to stop throwing snowballs at his house. The boy denied throwing any snowballs and said he had been inside. The man said he would return.

A mail carrier reported a suspicious man at a construction site on Meadow Road on the afternoon of 2/13. The man was waving in the direction of the site and eventually left the area in a taxi. Police called the construction company and told them to check the site.

Dog found:

A black lab was found on Normandy Lane on the afternoon of 2/14. The man who found the dog offered to call the owner and contact them rather than send the dog to the New Rochelle Humane Society.

Accidents:

An Edgewood Road woman who had driven to the sanitation yard of discard her recyclables on Tuesday afternoon February 10 ran into a sanitation cart whose driver was also disposing material. No injuries were reported.
A man called for help on the afternoon of 2/15 to say that his car was stuck in the snow on Catherine Road. Police send Vincent's Towing to pull the car out.

An ambulance was sent to a home on Stratton Road in New Rochelle on the evening of February 15 to help a 41 year-old woman who fell down the stairs.

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.

Details

Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig

Published: 04 February 2015

Created: 04 February 2015

Last Updated: 04 February 2015

Hits: 10583

Domestic matters: On Jan. 30, a man reported receiving unwanted messages from his ex-wife.

On Jan. 31, a daughter called police because her father was allegedly acting "belligerent" after an argument. The father told police his daughter had been very loud and had been calling her mother names since the previous day. When the father tried to talk to his daughter, she allegedly refused to listen to him and called police instead. Patrol helped mediate the dispute and left when all was in good order.

On Feb. 1, a woman called 911 alleging her husband was being verbally abusive and slammed a door during an argument. The woman then drove to headquarters to speak with police. There she said she dialed 911 as a scare tactic, in the hope of avoiding continued conversation with her husband. She apologized for misusing 911 services, and police informed her about other available services.

Phone threats, harassment
A Quaker Ridge boy received a call from an unknown man claiming the boy's mother owed a $1,000 loan Jan. 26. The boy said he was a child and knew nothing about the loan. The man responded by saying if the loan was not paid off, the boy's family would be killed. The boy hung up and called police. Police traced the man's number to an address in Florida. They advised the boy and his mother that the call was most likely an attempt to scam money. Patrol told the boy and his mother to contact the police department if they receive other similar calls.

On Feb. 1, a Quaker Ridge woman reported receiving two harassing phone calls from an unknown male caller. The caller said, "I heard from [your neighbor] you like to be dominated in the basement." The woman immediately hung up the phone, but the caller called back. The woman told him she was contacting police, and he responded by threatening to "hurt her and her family in the basement" if she contacted police. Police traced the phone number and called it. A Brooklyn woman answered the phone and denied making the calls. She said her boyfriend's 15-year-old friend had been at her house earlier that day and had borrowed her cell phone. She said the boy was no longer at her house, and she did not know his whereabouts. She then hung up the phone and did not answer patrol's calls. Police checked the Quaker Ridge woman's house and offered tips about enhancing security.

Harassed jogger
On Jan. 29, a female jogger reported a man repeatedly harasses her while she is running on Fenimore Road. The most recent incident occurred on Jan. 25, when the woman was approaching the intersection with Brewster Road. There, the man, who was jogging in the opposite direction, allegedly said, "You ... Are you stupid? Get off the middle of my road." Earlier in December, the man allegedly made similar comments as they encountered each other jogging. The woman asked police to document the incident in case the situation escalates.

Housekeeper arrested after stealing $50 from employer
On Jan. 26, a Tisdale Road resident reported a $50 bill was stolen from her wallet while inside her house. She said the bill was in her wallet before a cleaning service arrived at her house, and the bill was missing after the cleaners left. She said money has also disappeared from her husband's and son's wallets over the past month, and she believes their money also disappeared during times when the cleaners were in the house. The woman advised police she would no longer use the cleaning service. Detectives investigating the incident scheduled an interview with the cleaners, including Jenny Illescas, 33, of White Plains, on Jan. 27. During the interview, Illescas admitted to stealing $50 from the resident's wallet on Jan. 26. She denied taking money or property from the house on other occasions. Police subsequently charged Illescas with petit larceny. She was booked and released on her own recognizance, with an appearance ticket for Village Justice Court on Feb. 18.

Stolen shield
On Jan. 28, a White Plains man reported his New York City Veterans Police shield was stolen from the back bumper of his 1998 Ford Explorer parked in the Wilgrin parking lot on Jan. 19. The 8"x4" bronze shield had been attached to the car's bumper with a bolt, he said.

Identity theft
On Jan. 30, a Crossway woman reported someone attempted to withdraw "a large sum of money" from her Chase Bank account. The attempt occurred at a Florida bank, where an unknown woman was posing as the legitimate account holder. The teller became suspicious of the identification provided to her, and at that point, the suspect fled the bank. The woman said Chase bank closed her accounts and opened new ones. In addition, she filed a fraud alert with the credit reporting agencies.

Unusual calls
On Jan. 31, a Bradley Road man said his wife received several calls over the last few days in which an unknown caller asked for his wife by name and then hung up without saying anything else. At the time one of the calls was received, a white sedan was parked outside the couple's house. The couple believed that, while it could have been a coincidence, the presence of the car was odd. Police advised the couple to notify headquarters if they receive more hang-up calls.

Confused
On Jan. 29, an Edgewood resident reported cash was stolen from his home while he was sleeping the previous night. He said he believed the perpetrator had keys to his house and used sleeping gas on him. While questioning the man, it became clear he was suffering from dementia. There were no facts to back up the man's story, and details of the story kept changing. Patrol attempted to notify the man's daughter but were unable to reach her.

Where's my car?
A woman called police because she thought her car had been stolen from the HSBC Bank parking lot at Popham and Overhill roads Jan. 27. Police helped her find the car, which was actually parked on Scarsdale Avenue.

Too cold
A person called police after voluntarily leaving her Heathcote Road house at 6:15 p.m., Jan. 31. She said it was too cold for her to wait outside for a ride from a friend, and she had no money for a taxi. Police drove her to headquarters where she could use a telephone and wait for her friend in a warm building. The person called a friend and made arrangements to take a train to New York City and meet the friend there. Police escorted the person to the Scarsdale train station. Police offered to provide contact information for a Social Services agency or drive the person to a housing shelter, but she declined.

Scofflaw
On Jan. 28, the parking enforcement officer noticed a 2008 Ford involved with scofflaw incidents parked on Boniface Circle. The officer issued a ticket for an expired meter and called Village Justice Court to confirm the car's scofflaw status. A court clerk confirmed the car's registered owner had 19 open parking tickets and owed $1,950 in fines. Patrol called the police department's duty tow and had the car towed to the police impound lot in Mamaroneck. Patrol contacted the owner of the car, a 29-year-old Mahopac woman, and told her to follow up with Village Justice Court regarding the outstanding fines and the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles regarding the suspended status of her license and registration.

Cars and roadways
An illegally parked scooter on Depot Place was impeding snow removal efforts Jan. 29. Patrol unsuccessfully attempted to contact the scooter's registered owner, and patrol issued the owner a parking ticket.

On Jan. 30, police issued a parking ticket to the owner of a car parked on Freightway because the car was blocking the passage of snowplows.

Five car accidents were reported in the village this week.

Civil matter
On Jan. 31, a Ridgecrest West man told police he and his neighbor were involved in a civil matter involving a cat. Police advised the man that civil matters are not police matters and must be resolved through a civil process.

Lost and found
An electrician found an iPad near a Murray Hill Road construction site and gave it to police Jan. 26.

Police tracked down the owner of a cell phone left at the high school track Jan. 27. The owner successfully answered questions about the phone to confirm his ownership, and he picked it up from headquarters.

On Jan. 28, a Tompkins Road woman reported losing her wallet somewhere near her house. A few hours later, she called headquarters to cancel the report. She found the wallet in her driveway.

A passerby found a wallet near the intersection of Boulevard and Gaylor Road and gave it to police Jan. 29.

On Jan. 31, a person found a set of car keys on Dobbs Terrace, tied the keys to a nearby white car and notified police. Police spoke with the owner of the car to which the keys were tied and learned the keys did not belong to that person. Using a CVS tag attached to the keys, police contacted the owner of the keys. She thanked police for finding the keys and said she or her husband would come to headquarters to pick up the keys on Feb. 2.

On Jan. 31, a passerby found a pocketbook on Greenacres Avenue and brought it to Hitchcock Church. A church employee then brought the purse to headquarters. Police looked in the purse for identifying information and contacted the owner, a Greenacres Avenue resident, to inform her that her purse had been found.

On Feb. 1, a Walworth Avenue woman reported her son lost his $400 clarinet at Scarsdale Middle School. The last time he saw the clarinet was after a band concert on Jan. 14.

Fire on train tracks
Police witnessed an explosion on the Metro North railroad tracks near the south side of the platform at Scarsdale train station Jan. 29. Dispatch informed the fire department and the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Police stood by and assisted as needed. According to the fire department's report, the fire was caused when "the third rail shorted to the ground, burning through a steel mount plate." Once MTA workers shut power to the rails, the fire self extinguished. Firefighters stood by and assisted as needed.

Fire
A Sage Terrace resident reported a gasoline odor in her basement Jan. 26. The cause was probably a gasoline spill down a Brewster Road drain the previous day. As per health department recommendations, firefighters ran water down the drains in the Sage Terrace house until the odor dissipated.

Lint was smoking in a Carthage Road dryer Jan. 26. Firefighters shut off the dryer, removed the lint and advised the homeowner to call for service.

A burning odor was coming from a washing machine in a Broadmoor Road house Jan. 26. Firefighters confirmed there was no fire, unplugged the washing machine and advised the homeowner to call for service.

On Jan. 27, firefighters helped a Vanderbilt Road resident get back in her house after she was accidentally locked out. The next day, on Jan. 28, firefighters helped a Boulevard resident get back in her house after she was also accidentally locked out.

Con Edison discovered a gas leak under the street at Boulevard and Webster Road Jan. 29. Firefighters helped Con Edison workers check manholes and 12 nearby houses for possible gas infiltration. Firefighters stood by until released by Con Edison.

A Barry Road resident reported a light switch sparked when used Jan. 30. Firefighters checked the house and found no more sparking switches, arcing wires or burning odors. They advised the resident to hire an electrician to change the switches.

Firefighters helped Con Edison workers check three houses on Church Lane South, Popham Road and Elmdorf Road for possible gas infiltration related to a gas leak in the area Jan. 30.

A smoke odor in a Brewster Road house was caused by a malfunctioning gas-firedburner Jan. 31. Firefighters shut gas to the unit and advised the homeowner to call for service.

A citizen complained about overcrowding at Chat restaurant on Christie Place Jan. 31. Firefighters checked the restaurant. They observed it was busy and full, but it was not overcrowded in a dangerous way. They advised the manager to open curtains placed in front of one of the exit doors to make the doors visible, as per safety code.

Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the sites of four natural gas leaks at street valve boxes on Richbell Road Feb. 1.

An oil burner malfunctioned in a Franklin Road house Feb. 1. Firefighters shut down the unit and advised the homeowner to call for service.

Firefighters called Con Edison to check a gas pressure regulator making a "buzzing" noise in a Pinecrest Road house Feb.1.

This week, firefighters assisted at one car accident in the village. They responded to 12 false fire or heat alarms caused by device malfunction, excessive dust, cooking smoke and fireplace smoke.

This report covering police and fire department activity from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1 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.