Details

Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig

Published: 13 November 2014

Created: 13 November 2014

Last Updated: 13 November 2014

Hits: 15898

Around 1 p.m., Nov. 6, Eastchester police were called to Country Bank, on Garth Road, for a reported robbery. The suspect was described as a Hispanic woman, approximately 5 feet, five inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes, a brown jacket and a white hoodie. She handed a teller a note demanding money and threatened she had a weapon; however, she did not show a weapon. After grabbing the cash, she fled north on Garth Road in a dark colored station wagon. It was suspected another person was possibly involved.

Scarsdale police assisted Eastchester police canvas the area for the suspects. They also informed other area banks about the robbery. Eastchester detectives interviewed witnesses and reviewed bank surveillance tapes to develop investigative leads, which proved fruitful.

Eastchester Police Chief Timothy Bonci announced in a statement, "Detectives were able to develop information which led them to a location in the Bronx where two suspects were apprehended without incident." The suspects – Erin Dzikas, 30, of the Bronx, and Emilio Alvardado, 28, of Homestead, Florida – were arrested Nov. 8 and charged with third-degree robbery. They were arraigned in Eastchester Town Court and are being held at Westchester County jail on $300,000 bonds.

New York City police, Yonkers police and the FBI Major Case Squad assisted Eastchester police in the arrests.

"This case was a major case solved within 48 hours, culminating with the arrest of the two individuals responsible for the robbery," Bonci said.

Attempted Burglaries

A rash of burglaries in the county has prompted police to advise residents to keep lights on while not at home as a precaution. Lights will make houses seem occupied and dissuade burglars from targeting those homes. Police told "Scarsdale 10583" that burglaries of occupied houses are extremely rare because burglars typically avoid confrontation with residents. In Scarsdale this year, there have been six burglaries and three attempted burglaries to date. According to Lt. Thomas Altizio, "[Scarsdale's] burglary rate, this year in particular, is very low for the lower Westchester region." This week included two attempted burglaries – one in Quaker Ridge and one in Greenacres.

An alarm alerted police to an attempted burglary at a Brittany Close house around 7:30 p.m., Nov. 7. On scene, police noticed a small panel in a kitchen window had been broken. Further investigation showed the screen had been pried from the window frame. According to police, it appeared the suspect fled after the alarm was activated by the suspect's attempt to open the window. The interior alarm was not tripped; so it appeared the suspect did not enter the house. Police checked the interior of the house, and nothing appeared to be out of place.

On Nov. 9, a house sitter reported an attempted burglary at a Walworth Avenue house. The house sitter said he was sleeping on the third floor of the house at approximately 5:30 p.m., when he heard a loud noise on the first floor. He went downstairs to investigate and saw the rear sliding glass door in a study had been shattered. He promptly called police. The matter is under active investigation.

Criminal Mischief

On Nov. 8, a construction foreman reported someone broke into a Hampton Road house under construction. According to the foreman, one of his workers arrived at the house at 8:30 a.m. and found two of the three garage doors were open. Broken glass shards were scattered on the ground in close proximity to a car parked in the garage. The car appeared to have been entered. Police are following up.

Suspect Flees on Foot

At 2:45 a.m., Nov. 8, a man drove through a police checkpoint at Fenimore Road and the Bronx River Parkway. Westchester County police advised the suspect fled on foot and might have had visible injuries.

Identity Theft Scam

A man with a foreign accent called a Ridgecrest East resident alleging to be from the Internal Revenue Service Nov. 3. The caller stated the resident owed $3,946.85 in alleged tax fraud. The caller asked the resident for personal information and threatened to cancel the resident's credit cards and block his passport if the resident did not provide the information. In response to the threats, the resident initially provided the last four digits of his Social Security number and income information to the caller. However, the resident soon realized the call was probably fraudulent and ended it. Police advised the resident to monitor his credit report for suspicious activity.

Text Messages

A Quaker Ridge man reported someone sent a "scam message" to his daughter's cell phone Nov. 6. Patrol showed the man how to manipulate the phone to block the person who sent the message.

Light fixture

Strong winds blew over a light fixture at a Wakefield Road house and the homeowner was concerned about it possibly injuring someone Nov. 3. Police examined the fixture, and noted the wiring and insulation were intact. The only apparent damage was to the wooden pole supporting the fixture. Patrol advised the homeowner to shut power to the fixture and call an electrician for repair.

Repair

The emergency callbox inside the elevator at Freightway Garage was not working properly Nov. 4. Police reported the problem to Verizon and asked that the repair request be given "urgent" status.

Help

A caller noticed an elderly woman appeared disoriented on Scarsdale Avenue and called police Nov. 6. Patrol arrived, and the woman said she had taken a walk and got lost. She provided patrol with her daughter's contact information. After patrol spoke with the woman's daughter, the woman's grandson picked up the woman.

Fall

On Nov. 7, a 65-year-old woman came to headquarters to report she fell down the stairs at the Scarsdale train station and sustained injuries on Oct. 20. The woman said she fell down the stairway that connects the platform with the Popham Road Bridge, thus injuring her head, right arm and left leg. She showed police the location of the fall, and police photographed the staircase.

Bicyclist

A driver called police to report she struck a bicyclist while backing up her car on East Parkway, and the uninjured bicyclist rode away Nov. 6.

Cars and Roadways

Police issued a summons to the driver of a parked car facing the wrong direction on Ridgecrest East Nov. 3.

Patrol moved a fallen wire to the side of Murray Hill Road and notified the utility provider Nov. 3.

Patrol issued summonses to the drivers of illegally parked cars on Ridgecrest East and Ridgecrest West Nov. 4.

Patrol secured a loose wire on Post Road and notified the Verizon Nov. 5.

Patrol informed the highway department about a damaged light bulb on East Parkway Nov. 5.

Residents and drivers have been complaining about a ParaTransit van that stops to pick up patients on Post Road every week. Standing on Post Road is a violation of vehicle and traffic law. On Nov. 5, patrol addressed the situation with the driver of the van, as well as with her supervisor. The supervisor said he would address the situation to seek an acceptable solution.

This week, eight car accidents were reported in the village.

Animals

A Post Road man arrived home to find six deer in his yard shortly before midnight Nov. 4. The man asked patrol to scare away the deer and escort the man into the house for safety. Patrol used lights and sirens to startle the deer, causing them to flee into the woods.

A loose dog walked into a Cornell Street garage and the homeowner called police Nov. 3. Eventually, the dog jumped into the car driven by the friend of the homeowner. Police called New Rochelle Humane Society and learned someone had reported a missing dog, matching the description of the found dog. New Rochelle Humane Society notified the owner who came to the Cornell Street house and retrieved her dog. She said workers at her house must have left the gate surrounding her yard open. Patrol issued her a summons for having a dog at large.

Police reunited a loose dog with its owner after a village resident found the dog on Fayette Road Nov. 6.

On Nov. 9, a Gatehouse Road resident reported her neighbor's dog was in her yard. She described the dog as aggressive. Patrol spoke with the neighbor who apologized and retrieved the dog. She said her landscaper must have accidentally let the dog get out.

Village Code

Window salesmen were advised they needed a permit to legally solicit in the village Nov. 3.

Patrol issued a Murray Hill Road landscaper a summons for using two or more gas-powered leaf blowers within 100 yards of each other Nov. 7.

Police dispersed a group of kids from Edgewood School playground after dark Nov. 7.

Patrol issued summons to landscapers using gas-powered leaf blowers in violation of village code on Clarence and Sprague roads Nov. 8.

A woman was walking her dog on a paved pathway near a playing field located on Heathcote School grounds Nov. 8. Police advised her village code forbids the presence of dogs on school grounds and issued her a warning.

People were setting off fireworks on Tunstall Road Nov. 8. They left the area before police arrived.

Lost and found

Highway department workers found and retrieved a set of keys from the storm drain in front of Rothman's store on Boniface Circle Nov. 6. The keys were taken to headquarters for safekeeping. Police noticed a CVS tag on the key ring and went to the CVS store on Popham Road in an attempt to locate the keys' owner. The manager said he would not release any information about the tag's owner but would try to contact the owner instead.

On Nov. 6, a woman reported losing her driver's license. She thought she lost it either in the downtown business district or in Connecticut where she takes classes. She also reported the missing license to Hartford, Connecticut, police.

One man reported losing a license plate in the village this week.

Fire

Firefighters shut down a boiler in a Barry Road house and advised the homeowner to service it before using it again Nov. 5.

An alarm panel in a Whig Road house overheated and released an odor of burning plastic Nov. 7. Firefighters de-energized the panel and advised the homeowner to have the system serviced.

On Nov. 8, firefighters responded to an alarm in the Christie Place condominium complex. Lobby personnel were complaining about a gas odor in one of the apartments. Carbon monoxide was detected in the lobby and hallways; so firefighters started positive pressure ventilation. Investigation traced the source of the carbon monoxide to four or five gasoline-powered pressure washers on the first floor of the parking garage. Firefighters ordered employees to stop using the pressure washers without adequate ventilation. They also continued ventilating the building and checked all apartments to make sure they were safe from carbon monoxide.

Firefighters helped Con Edison employees check a Brewster Road house for a possible gas leak Nov. 8. The house showed no evidence of natural gas infiltration.

A Lockwood Road resident reported a suspected gas odor in her house Nov. 9. Firefighters checked the house with gas meters and found no evidence of gas. They deduced the gas odor was caused by the application of fresh paint.

The Girl Scout House on Wayside Lane was evacuated because of a natural gas odor Nov. 9. After checking the building and the surrounding area, firefighters and Con Edison workers determined the odor was coming from a natural gas leak outside. Scouts were then allowed to safely re-enter the building.

A Colvin Road resident accidentally got locked outside her house Nov. 9. Firefighters opened the door to let her back inside.

Firefighters shut the electrical connection to a malfunctioning stove in a Ridgecrest West house Nov. 9. They advised the owner to call for repair.

This week, firefighters assisted at 3 car accidents in the village and on parkways. They responded to12 false fire alarms caused by device malfunction, construction dust, cooking smoke, iron steam, a steam cleaner and burnt toast.

Scarsdale Village Justice Court

The case of Gregory C. Alphin, charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and aggravated DWI on April 2, was waived to Grand Jury.

Samantha Cole pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of a registration violation and was fined $168.

Marvin Jimenez Duarte pleaded guilty to the reduced charges of driving without a license and a registration violation. He was fined $336.

Jackie R. Norman was arraigned on charges of DWI (first offense) and aggravated DWI. The case was adjourned, and a hardship hearing was scheduled for Nov. 12.

Kevin L. Pierre pleaded guilty to the reduced charges of driving without a license and disobeying a traffic control device. He was fined $336.

Ronald Prunesti pleaded guilty to DWI (first offense). His license was revoked for six months, and he was fined $900. He was ordered to attend a MADD Victim Impact Panel and a drinking and driving program organized by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. He was ordered to install an ignition interlock device in his car for three years, and he was assigned to three years probation.

Lizardo R. Rios pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of a registration violation and was fined $168.

The court issued one bench warrant, one arrest warrant and three warrant letters to defendants who did not appear in court as directed.

Adjourned cases included the following charges: DWI (first offense), DWI with a blood alcohol level of .08 of one percent, various vehicle and traffic offenses and village code violations.

This report covering police and fire department activity from Nov. 3-9 and the Scarsdale Village Justice Court calendar from Nov. 5 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.

Details

Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig

Published: 20 November 2014

Created: 20 November 2014

Last Updated: 20 November 2014

Hits: 19516

At approximately 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, Fox Meadow Road residents returned home from a day trip to Boston to find their house had been burglarized. Upon entering the house, they first noticed their master bedroom window broken and their belongings scattered across the room. Thinking the perpetrator might still be inside the house, they immediately left and called 911. Police checked the house and confirmed the burglars were no longer there. Investigation has led police to believe the suspects used a pry tool to break the window, through which the suspects subsequently entered and exited the house. In the master bedroom, police noted several empty jewelry boxes on the bed, as well as personal items removed from the closet and thrown on the floor. While canvassing the outside of the house, police noticed an open package addressed to the homeowner. The contents appeared, however, to be undisturbed inside the box. According to the residents, stolen items included women's jewelry, men's watches and currency. Police are following up.

On Nov. 12, police arrested Fjorida Hasanpapaj, 23, of White Plains, on felony charges of third-degree grand larceny and first-degree criminal possession of stolen property. Hasanpapaj is accused of stealing at least 13 pieces of jewelry, worth over $30,000, from a Walworth Avenue woman who employed Hasanpapaj in her home as a babysitter. According to police, the employer noticed pieces of her jewelry – including diamond earrings, gold necklaces, gold cuff links and earrings set with semi-precious stones – were going missing during the months Hasanpapaj was employed in the house. Following an investigation by police, Hasanpapaj was identified as a suspect and interviewed about the jewelry's disappearance. During the interview she made admissions about the thefts and provided detectives with a written statement. Detectives followed up by visiting a Hartsdale pawnshop, where they confirmed Hasanpapaj pawned some of the jewelry for cash.

Hasanpapaj was arraigned at Scarsdale Village Justice Court and released on $400 cash bail. An attorney from Legal Aid Society was assigned to the defendant, and the case was adjourned to Dec. 10. Hasanpapaj was advised to refrain from any contact or communication with her former employer. Police said the investigation remains active, as they continue their attempts to locate additional pieces of the stolen jewelry, as well as talk to other families for which the defendant may have worked.

DWI Arrest

At approximately 6:15 a.m., Nov. 15, police were called to a reported accident in which a car left the roadway and came to rest in bushes at the corner of Heathcote and Stratton roads. According to police, the driver – Vitaly Polikoff, 59, of Waterbury, Connecticut – had fallen asleep behind the wheel, and the car came to rest in the bushes, with its engine still running. The police report further noted that after Polikoff woke up, he had glassy eyes, poor balance and an alcoholic beverage odor on his breath. Polikoff failed field sobriety tests administered by police. He refused to submit to an Alco-sensor breath screening test, stating it was "against my religion." He claimed the reason for his behavior and his inability to successfully complete the field sobriety tests was because of complications from diabetes. Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps arrived to evaluate Polikoff's condition; however, emergency medical technicians found no symptoms of Polikoff being in a diabetic state due to abnormal blood sugar levels. Polikoff refused further medical attention. Patrol again asked Polikoff to submit to a breath test, but he refused. At 7:03 a.m., police arrested Polikoff on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense). He acknowledged and waived his Miranda rights and DWI warnings at headquarters. At headquarters, Polikoff repeatedly refused to submit to the Data Master blood alcohol level test, stating he was "against any chemical tests." In addition to being charged with DWI (first offense), Polikoff was also charged with refusal to submit to a breath test and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Police sent a refusal report to the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. At 10:12 a.m., Polikoff was released to his tenant, from Larchmont, on $100 cash bail. He was instructed to appear at Scarsdale Village Justice Court on Nov. 19. Pending resolution of the matter, Polikoff was advised his driving privileges in New York State were suspended.

Stolen

On Nov. 15, a Palmer Avenue man reported patio furniture, a stainless steel barbecue grill and a leaf blower had been stolen from his backyard sometime over the past several weeks. Since the man has been recently travelling back and forth between New York and Florida, he could not remember exactly when he had last seen the items in his backyard. The combined value of the missing items was estimated to be approximately $3,000.

Harassment

A Fox Meadow Road woman reported an unknown man called her and stated, "Your whole family is gonna get f---ed" Nov. 12. The caller was also concerned about a man sitting in a car outside her house. Police questioned the man and determined he was a private investigator.

On Nov. 12, the manager of a Christie Place hair salon reported she had been harassed by a former employee while firing that employee outside the salon. The incident allegedly began with a verbal argument, which caused the employee to scream at the manger in front of clients inside the salon. When both women left the salon to continue their dispute outside, the manager told the employee she was being fired. The employee allegedly threw her handbag at the manager and shoved the manager's shoulder. The manger said she was not injured but was fearful the former employee might return to the store and cause another disturbance. Police called the former employee to advise that she should not return to the hair salon. The manager said the former employee's outstanding wages would be sent to her bank account via direct deposit.

Identity theft

On Nov. 10, a Vernon Road woman reported three unauthorized transactions on her PayPal account that posted to her American Express and Bank of America accounts. The woman discovered the fraudulent transactions while reviewing and deleting over 4,000 email messages since Oct. 31. She notified her banking institutions, and they refunded her the money lost from the fraudulent transactions.

On Nov. 12, a Ross Road couple came to headquarters to report someone fraudulently withdrew money from each of their two daughters' Chase savings accounts, transferred that money into the couple's joint account and attempted to withdraw it via 14 Chase Quickpay transactions. The suspect also attempted to change the couple's delivery of statements from mailed paper statements to electronic paperless statements. Chase Bank was suspicious of the transactions and did not let them go through. Chase Bank's fraud department is following up. Police advised the couple to monitor their credit report.

On Nov. 15, a Post Road man reported someone fraudulently used his personal information to open two separate Dish Network accounts for satellite television services. One account was active from May 2012 to Oct. 2013 in Katy, Texas. The other account, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, was still currently active. The man told police he has been aware of the fraudulent activity for over one year, since he first received a collection notice for one of the accounts in December 2013. He said he neglected to file a police report because he was attempting to resolve the matter directly with Dish Network. He only decided to report it to police after receiving another collection notice this month. Patrol advised him to carefully monitor his finances and credit report for additional fraudulent activity.

Scams

A Richbell Close man reported he might have responded to a possibly fraudulent email and provided his personal information, including his Social Security number, Nov. 11. He received the email after closing his AOL credit card, and he first believed the email was related to that action. However, after responding to the email, the man became suspicious and contacted AOL. AOL confirmed the email did not originate from their company. Police advised the man to monitor his credit report for possibly fraudulent activity.

A Brambach Road woman received a call from a man alleging to be a Homeland Security agent Nov. 10. The man said the woman was "in trouble." She told the man she wished to be contacted by mail regarding any "trouble" she might be in. Later the man called the woman's cell phone and told her the same story. The woman wanted police to document the incident.

Disputes

Four boys were fighting in a Weaver Street driveway and one boy's mother called police Nov. 10. The boys told patrol the dispute was about $20 that one boy borrowed from another earlier that day and had not yet repaid. The mother paid the outstanding debt, and patrol advised the boys to stay away from each other.

On Nov. 14, an employee at a Palmer Avenue hair salon reported an ongoing issue she is having with a male co-worker.

Missing bicycle

On Nov. 10, a Grand Boulevard man reported his green and purple Trek bicycle was stolen from the bike rack at the Scarsdale train station Nov. 7. Later, he called headquarters to cancel the report after realizing his wife had picked up his bike and brought it home.

Followed?

On Nov. 12, a woman who works in the village told police she believes someone might be following her. She said she has a seen a suspicious SUV parked outside her place of employment several times within the week. She has not, however, seen anyone inside the SUV or standing around outside it. She wanted police to document her observations.

Help

Sewage was backing up into a Woods Lane house Nov. 10. Patrol notified the highway department.

Due to ongoing mechanical problems, police placed "out of service" signs on the elevator in Freightway Garage Nov. 14.

A Brite Avenue resident heard noises on her roof near a skylight and asked police to investigate at 3:50 a.m., Nov. 15. Patrol found a small hole near the skylight and deduced an animal had probably entered the house. Patrol advised the woman on solutions to remedy the problem.

An 11-year-old boy was home alone playing video games when he thought he heard footsteps in his house and called police at 4:45 p.m., Nov. 15. Police checked the entire house to confirm the absence of trespassers. They called the boy's parents and waited with the boy until his parents returned.

Cars and roadways

At 5 a.m., Nov. 10, police received complaints about a speeding and erratic driver on Murray Hill Road and Morris Lane. Patrol investigated the area and found only two drivers who were delivering newspapers. They were not breaking any vehicle and traffic laws.

A woman complained that a car was blocking her driveway on Gaylor Road Nov. 10. In return, she parked her car half in her driveway and half blocking the car in question. Patrol asked her to pull her car fully into her driveway to alleviate the condition.

Police removed metal debris from Post Road after a motorist complained Nov. 10.

During traffic enforcement on Weaver Street Nov. 11, police issued a summons to a North Carolina driver whose license had been suspended because of an insurance lapse.

A driver struck a deer near the intersection of Heathcote Road and Morris Lane around 7 p.m., Nov. 12. The deer ran into the woods following the collision.

A driver accidentally left his parked Acura with its door open and the key in the ignition on Paddington Road Nov. 13. Police shut off the car, found the driver and returned the key to the driver.

Police contacted a towing service for a driver who needed to have her disabled car towed from Popham and Post roads to her house in the Bronx Nov. 13.

A tree situated on private property on Walworth Avenue fell onto a neighbor's car and across the roadway Nov. 14. Patrol contacted the owner of the car and notified the highway department for removal.

Police removed a shovel from Post Road Nov. 11.

Police spoke to the driver of a car idling in front of a Catherine Road house Nov. 15. The driver said he was waiting to pick up his daughter from a nearby party.

Police contacted a towing service for a driver who needed to have a disabled car towed from East Parkway roads to the driver's house on Fenimore Road Nov. 15.

Another towing service was called for a Weaver Street driver whose rear wheels were missing lug nuts Nov. 15.

On Nov. 16, police called for a tow service to help a driver whose car got a flat tire at Secor Road and Reynal Crossing.

Police asked the driver of a parked car on Greendale Avenue to move the car so it would not block a resident's driveway Nov. 16.

This week, 10 car accidents were reported in the village.

Neighbors

A Brewster Road mother reported feeling threatened by a neighbor's aggressive driving and verbal insults related to road rage on Nov. 10. According to the mother, the neighbor – a 25-year-old woman – typically drives her car in an "unsafe and erratic manner around the neighborhood and in school zones." On Nov. 10, the neighbor allegedly caused a "near accident" by backing out of her driveway and blocking the way of the mother, who was also backing out of her driveway. According to the mother, the neighbor began beeping her horn repeatedly and yelled insults about her and her husband. All of this occurred in the presence of the mother's child. Patrol offered to speak with the neighbor about keeping peace between them; however, the mother only asked patrol to document the incident. The mother said she has had trouble with the neighbor for approximately eight years.

Animals

A Gatehouse Road woman complained about aggressive dogs on her property on Nov. 10. Patrol spoke with the dogs' owner who apologized and stated her landscaper must have accidentally left the gate door open.

Later that morning, on Nov.10, a Gatehouse Drive woman reported two loose dogs in her garage. Police spoke with the dogs' owner who said the dogs got loose, and it would never happen again.

On Nov. 10, a loose dog was found on Heathcote Road and picked up by New Rochelle Humane Society. Shortly thereafter, the dog's Weaver Street owner called headquarters to report her dog was missing. Police advised her to pick up her dog from New Rochelle Humane Society.

A Kent Road man advised a sick looking raccoon was sitting on his deck at 8 a.m., Nov. 11. It was gone when police arrived; however, patrol confirmed it was uncommon for raccoons to be out looking for food during daylight because they are nocturnal animals.

A passerby found two loose dogs at Heathcote and Duck Pond roads Nov. 14. He tied the dogs to a pole while waiting for patrol to arrive. Patrol picked up the dogs and contacted their owner, who promptly came to headquarters to pick up the dogs.

A driver saw a coyote on Crane Road Nov. 16. It was gone when police arrived.

Village code

A large group of kids were gathering on Quaker Ridge School grounds after dark on Nov. 10. The kids advised they had just left a friend's house and were waiting to be picked up by their parents. Patrol stood by until all kids were picked up.

Patrol issued a Seneca Road construction crew a summons for using power tools prior to times permitted by village code on Nov. 11.

On Nov. 16, police removed three advertising signs posted on Mamaroneck Road near the Hutchinson River Parkway exit and entrance ramps, as well as on the HRP overpass. The largest of the signs were approximately 6 feet by 4 feet. The signs were from a Westport, Connecticut company, idriveyourcar.com. Police mailed the company summonses for its violation of village code.

Lost and found

A Hillview Drive woman reported losing her driver's license somewhere in the village Nov. 10.

On Nov. 13, a passerby found a Chase Visa card on the ground at Spencer Place and Boniface Circle. The passerby gave it to a patrol officer, who was able to track down the owner and return the Visa card to him.

Fire

A wall switch with a dimmer failed and burned in a Herkimer Road house on Nov. 10. Firefighters disconnected the switch and advised the owner to replace it.

Firefighters replaced caps on an open sewer trap in a Brewster Road house Nov. 10.

Firefighters used hand tools to open a locked bathroom door in a Fox Meadow Road house and release a child who accidentally got locked inside Nov. 11.

Firefighters helped a woman get out of a stalled elevator in Freightway Garage on Nov. 12. The elevator was subsequently put out of service, pending maintenance and repair.

Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of a natural gas odor inside a Cambridge Road house Nov. 14.

Firefighters evacuated Burgess Road homeowners from their house after elevated levels of carbon monoxide were detected Nov. 16. Con Edison determined the heating system was faulty and shut it down.

Firefighters and police silenced a defective fire alarm that was loudly sounding inside a Brewster Road house Nov. 16.

This week, firefighters assisted at 2 car accidents in the village and on parkways. They responded to one false gas alarm, four false carbon monoxide alarms and15 false fire alarms. The false fire alarms were caused by device malfunction, construction dust, cooking smoke, iron steam, fireplace smoke and burnt toast.

Arrest on warrant

On Nov. 12, police arrested Kevin C. Maultrio, Jr., 20, of Yonkers, on the strength of an active arrest warrant previously issued out of Scarsdale Village Justice Court. The warrant was related to unanswered vehicle and traffic violations. Maultrio was released on $100 cash bail with an appearance ticket, returnable to Scarsdale Village Justice Court on Nov. 19.

Scarsdale Village Justice Court

Aaron Baah pleaded guilty to DWI (first offense). He was granted a one-year conditional discharge and ordered to attend a MADD Victim Impact Panel and a drinking and driving program organized by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. He was ordered to install an ignition interlock device in his car for one year. He was fined $900.

Andrea T. Brown pleaded guilty to the reduced charges of driving without a license and a registration violation. She was fined $168.

Jordan D. Fernandez pleaded guilty to aggravated DWI. He was granted a one-year conditional discharge and ordered to attend a MADD Victim Impact Panel and a drinking and driving program organized by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. He was ordered to install an ignition interlock device in his car for one year. He was fined $900.

Andrea O. Gardiner pleaded guilty to the reduced charges of driving without a license and disobeying a traffic control device. She was fined $436.

Christopher L. Henry pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and was fined $225.

John P. Wilson pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of driving while ability impaired. He was granted a one-year conditional discharge and ordered to attend a MADD Victim Impact Panel and a drinking and driving program organized by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. He was fined $560.

Jane C. Curley pleaded guilty to having a dog at large, a violation of village code. She was fined $25.

Jose A. Puente pleaded guilty to using power tools before 8 a.m., a violation of village code. He was fined $75.

Several underage defendants charged with trespassing were assigned to 25 hours of community service, and the court ruled for six-month actions in contemplation of dismissal.

One underage defendant charged with a violation of the alcoholic beverage control law was ordered to attend an alcohol awareness program, and the court ruled for a six-month action in contemplation of dismissal.

One civil case regarding a landlord and a tenant was resolved in court.

Due to a DMV error, the district attorney's office withdrew vehicle and traffic charges from one defendant.

One case involving village code violation charges was dismissed by the court.

One case was sealed.

The court issued one bench warrant and four warrant letters to defendants who did not appear in court as directed.

Adjourned cases included the following charges: third- and second-degree possession of a forged instrument, petit larceny, third- and fourth-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, second-degree identity theft, criminal mischief, criminal trespassing, driving while ability impaired by drugs or alcohol, possession of marijuana, DWI (first offense), aggravated DWI, first- and second-degree criminal contempt, third-degree filing a false report, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, various vehicle and traffic offenses and village code violations.

This report covering police and fire department activity from Nov. 10-16 and the Scarsdale Village Justice Court calendar from Nov. 12 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.

Details

Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig

Published: 06 November 2014

Created: 06 November 2014

Last Updated: 07 November 2014

Hits: 10588

On October 29, a Rectory Lane couple picked up a family member at the airport and returned home to find their house burglarized. The burglary occurred between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. that night. According to the couple, they noticed their basement door was ajar when they entered their house through the garage. They thought this was strange, since the basement door usually remains closed. When the couple went upstairs, they noticed their master bedroom was in disarray, with belongings from their closet and drawers thrown around on the floor. An empty jewelry box was on the floor, and another jewelry box had been opened, but its contents seemed undisturbed. A safe from the master bedroom had been moved near the open basement door. It had been pried open, and only personal paperwork remained. The couple smelled unfamiliar cologne, leading them to believe the perpetrator might still be in the house, so they called 911 and waited for police. Investigation did not uncover any signs of suspects remaining in the house or forced entry to the house. Only the interior and exterior basement doors were open, suggesting probable points of entry and exit. Police canvassed the yard and found the handle and locking mechanism of a backyard gate broken and lying on the ground. Patrol surmised the locked gate had impeded the suspects' flight, so the suspects must have used force as they left the yard.

Stolen checks
On Oct. 27, a Secor Road man received a call from a Chase Bank branch in Manhattan about a woman who attempted to cash an altered check written against the man's account on Oct. 24. The teller became suspicious of the transaction, alerted the bank manager and refused to cash the check. The man confirmed he did not know the woman and the check had been altered. According to the man's records, the check was originally written to an organization with which the man does business. It was mailed with two other checks in a public mailbox at the intersection of Heathcote Road and Palmer Avenue on Sept. 22.

Order of protection violated
On Nov. 1, police charged a 28-year-old West Harrison woman with the misdemeanor of disobeying a court mandate after she allegedly violated an order of protection Oct. 31. According to the arrest report, the woman went to her mother's house in Scarsdale because "she was intoxicated and had been turned away from an alcohol detox program due to an insurance issue." She was aware a stay away order had been issued on Jan. 29 and was valid through March 24, 2014. This order of protection forbade the woman to enter her mother's house. However, the woman stated she had "nowhere to go" when the detox program turned her away, and the woman's mother was concerned about her daughter's safety. Patrol arrested the woman and took her to headquarters. She was remanded to Westchester County Jail on $5,000 cash or bond. She is due to appear in court again November 5. Note: Due to the domestic nature of this incident, the woman's name has been withheld from this report.

Scams
On Oct. 28, a Hampton Road woman transferred $2,978.67 to a person allegedly offering a short term rental through an online site for vacation properties. After transferring the money, the woman's questions about the vacation rental went unanswered. The woman contacted the online site, and an employee confirmed the rental listing had been a scam and was since removed from the site. The woman's bank informed her that the wire transfer was denied because of a lack of information provided by the receiving institution.

A man walked into headquarters because he received a call alleging his brother had been kidnapped Nov. 2. The caller told the man to withdraw money from an ATM machine and load it onto Green Dot money cards from CVS. Police advised the man to call his brother to verify his wellbeing. The man's brother was fine, and police advised the man the call was a scam.

Identity theft
A Nelson Road man reported a total of approximately $2,300 was withdrawn from his bank account in two transactions that occurred between Oct. 7 and 28. Police are following up.

On Oct. 31, a Rural Drive woman reported someone used her personal information to open a fraudulent account with United Parcel Service on Oct. 17. The person attempted to use the fraudulent account to charge 430.05 in fees related to a package shipment from an out-of-state location to an address in Dubai. UPS was alerted, and the account was closed.

Hate mail
A 32-year-old man who works in village center reported someone placed a threatening note on his car's windshield while he was at work Oct. 31. The person who wrote the note alleged the man broke the person's heart, threatened to kill the man and stated knowledge of where the man lives, works and parks his car. The man's car was parked in a parking garage at the time the note was left. The man said he wanted to document the note in case of future incidents.

Help
A Post Road man brought two personally owned firearms to headquarters for safekeeping Oct. 31. One was a 9-caliber aluminum pistol. The other was a 38-caliber aluminum revolver.

Police checked the welfare of a Ridgedale Road woman after she failed to answer her RUOK call Oct. 30. The woman confirmed she was OK.

Police checked an unattended briefcase left at the dead end of Normandy Lane Oct. 30. It was old, worn and empty. Police discarded it as garbage.

Responding to the report of a possibly intoxicated man walking in the middle of Fenimore Road, police encountered a Tuckahoe resident who had fallen asleep on the train and was attempting to walk home at 8:30 p.m., Oct. 31. Patrol called a taxi to drive him home.

On Nov. 1, police determined a man knocking on a Woodland Place house was a livery cab driver who had been dispatched to the wrong address for an airport pickup. The resident of the house was grateful, as the man's unexpected presence alarmed her.

Police checked the welfare of a Colvin Road woman and confirmed she was ok Nov. 2.

Virus
A Herkimer Road man reported his home computer was infected with a virus that encrypted his files Oct. 31. The man said he wanted police to document the incident. Police advised him to monitor his bank accounts and credit score, in addition to monitoring his security and network settings.

Cars and roadways
Patrol directed traffic around cars with flat tires on Hutchinson Avenue and Drake Road while the drivers changed the tires Oct. 27. The incidents were unrelated.

Sherbrooke Road residents complained about a large truck blocking their street Oct. 27. Patrol asked the driver to legally park the truck.

The buildings and grounds department of Scarsdale High School reported a car illegally parked on grass near the school's gravel lot Oct 29. Police stood by while the owner moved the car.

An unoccupied car was running while parked on Depot Place Oct. 29. Patrol turned off the car's engine and secured the car.

Police called a tow truck for the driver of a car with a flat tire on Fenimore Road Oct. 30.

Patrol issued appropriate summonses to the registered owner of a motorcycle that was without a license plate and illegally parked on Depot Place Oct. 30.

Patrol notified the recreation department about a low-hanging wire within the pool complex Oct. 30.

A driver with a flat tire flagged down patrol Oct. 31. Patrol called a towing service for him.

On Oct. 31, police stood by at the site of a disabled car at Popham and Post roads until a towing service arrived to move the car Oct. 31.

Construction plates covering a Con Edison work site on Fenimore Road shifted and created a four-inch gap Nov. 1. Patrol notified Con Edison.

Patrol asked the drivers of illegally parked cars on Church Lane to move their cars to allow for better traffic flow Nov. 1.

On Nov. 1, a Brook Lane resident complained that parked cars on the street were impeding access to his driveway. Police noted all cars on the street were legally parked and advised the man to consult with Village Hall about the possibility of updating parking rules on Brook Lane.

Fallen tree branches were removed from Weaver Street at 6 a.m., Nov. 2.

Patrol blocked off sections of Post, Hampton, Benedict and Lockwood roads until the highway department could remove fallen trees Nov. 2.

Hamilton Road was closed Nov. 2 because of a primary wire on the ground. Con Edison was notified.

A section of Burgess Road was taped off because a falling tree knocked a light fixture from a utility pole Nov. 2. None of the power lines were compromised. Patrol notified the highway department.

Patrol removed a piece of fence railing that had fallen onto a Post Road sidewalk near Sherbrooke Road Nov. 2.

Patrol removed branches from Palmer Avenue and Ramsey Road Nov. 2.

Police placed temporary stop signs at the intersection of Popham Road and East Parkway because the traffic light was not working Nov. 2. An electrician was notified.

Winds blew over a stop sign at the intersection of Ogden and Fox Meadow roads Nov. 2. Police made temporary accommodations and notified the highway department.

Highway workers were instructed to remove a fallen tree branch from Bradley Road Nov. 2.

On Nov. 2, police issued verbal warnings to drivers of cars parked in violation of posted parking restrictions on Hampton Road. The drivers moved their cars. Another driver moved his car on Johnson Road after patrol told him the car was parked too close to the street's intersection with Boulevard.

Patrol moved a branch that was partially sticking into the roadway on Bypass Nov. 2.

This week, seven car accidents were reported in the village.

Animals
Police reunited a loose dog on Carthage Road with its owner Oct. 31.

Coyotes were reported in the area of Griffen Avenue and Brittany Close Oct. 31.

Civil matter
A woman and her husband went to a Montrose Road house, asking for wages allegedly owed to her Oct. 28. The homeowner returned personal property to the woman and requested that she and her husband leave the property. Patrol advised the couple and the homeowner that their dispute was a civil matter.

Lost and found
A passerby found a wallet on Popham Road and brought it to headquarters Oct. 28. Police contacted the owner, who sent his wife to pick up the wallet.

While on routine patrol in village center, police found an earring on the ground near the intersection of East Parkway and Spencer Place Oct. 28. The earring was taken to headquarters for safekeeping.

On Oct. 29, police found a driver's license on Chase Road. Police attempted to contact the owner, a 35-year-old Bronxville woman, but were unable to reach her.

On Oct. 31, a Palmer Avenue nanny found a wallet on the street outside her employer's house. Using identification cards inside the wallet, police determined it belonged to a Garth Road woman.

A Sage Terrace man reported losing his driver's license at a Staple's store on Central Avenue Nov. 1. He said he presented his license to the cashier when making a purchase. He realized he did not have the license when he returned home. He called the store, but employees said the missing license was not there.

Fire
A boiler in a Barry Road house was running without sufficient water, and it released carbon monoxide into the house Oct. 30. Firefighters turned off the boiler and ventilated the house. They advised the resident to call for service.

Firefighters advised a Fox Meadow Road resident to call a service company for assistance with her gas stove Oct. 30.

Firefighters investigated a possible smell of natural gas in a Palmer Avenue business and determined the odor was caused by an overheated battery in the business's alarm system Oct. 30. Firefighters disconnected the battery and ventilated the business. They found a minor gas leak from a hot water heater at a neighboring business and notified Con Edison.

According to firefighters' investigation, a reported natural gas odor in a Graham Road house was actually a skunk odor Nov. 1. Firefighters advised the homeowner to air out the house and remove clutter from the boiler room. Firefighters noticed the clutter while investigating the odor.

This week, firefighters assisted at three car accidents in the village and on parkways. They responded to two false carbon monoxide alarms and 16 false fire alarms caused by device malfunction, a smoke machine, construction dust, cooking smoke and burnt toast.

Scarsdale Village Justice Court
Jasmine C. Bradley pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of driving without a license and was fined $178.

Laura Carranza pleased guilty to DWI (first offense). Her license was suspended for six months, and she was fined $900. She was granted a one-year conditional discharge and ordered to attend a MADD Victim Impact Panel and a drinking and driving program organized by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. She was ordered to install an ignition interlock device in her car.

Jordan D. Fernandez pleaded guilty to DWI (first offense). He was ordered to install an ignition interlock device in his car, and the case was adjourned to Nov. 12 for sentencing.

A. Kalyanasundarum was arraigned on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense) and DWI with a blood alcohol level of at least .08 of one percent. The defendant's license was suspended pending prosecution. The defendant was assigned, for evaluation, to Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities. A hardship hearing was scheduled for Nov. 5.

Thurmond L. Matthews pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of driving while ability impaired. His license was suspended for 90 days, and he was fined $560. He was ordered to attend a MADD Victim Impact Panel and a drinking and driving program organized by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles.

Amanda Ryan pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of a registration violation and was fined $178.
Steven M. Shapiro pleaded guilty to the reduced charges of driving without a license and removing both hands from the steering wheel. He was granted a conditional discharge for removing both hands from the steering wheel. He was fined $321.

Meghan J. St. Lawrence pleaded guilty to the reduced charges of a registration violation and failure to obey a traffic control device. She was fined $193.

Two cases were sealed.

The court issued one bench warrant and two appearance letters to defendants who did not appear in court as directed. Also, three defendants charged with village code violations did not show up for their scheduled court appearances.

Adjournments included one summary proceeding and cases with the following charges: possession of marijuana, first-degree operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs, third- and second-degree possession of a forged instrument, petit larceny, first-degree harassment, third-degree grand larceny, various vehicle and traffic offenses and village code violations.

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.

This report covering police and fire department activity from Oct. 27-Nov. 2 and the Scarsdale Village Justice Court calendar from Oct. 29 was compiled from official information.