Police Report: Man Wanted by Scarsdale Police for Stealing $17,500 in September Arrested Again

Photo by Shelley GrafsteinArrested: On Jan. 23, a man wanted by Scarsdale police, with an active warrant, was apprehended by MTA police and brought to headquarters. The man’s name is Fardin Talha, 23, of Queens Village. He was charged with criminal impersonation of a police officer and third-degree grand larceny involving the theft for $17,500 from a Birchall Dr. resident in September 2025. Talha was previously arrested on Nov. 19, 2025, but a bench warrant was issued when he failed to appear in court for a later scheduled appearance. According to Scarsdale Police Chief Steven Del Bene, who elaborated on the original event: “Cash was stolen from a local resident in a scam commonly known as a "Grandparent Scam." This suspect convinced a resident to withdraw money from their bank and physically hand it over to them at their residence. When this resident became suspicious, they took a picture of the suspect and came to police headquarters to report the incident, which really helped our investigation. Another factor that led to a successful outcome was the use of our LPR system, which allowed us to obtain vital information regarding the suspect’s vehicle. Our detectives, working in conjunction with both local and federal agencies, were able to effectively arrest the individual involved.”

Stolen
On Jan. 19, a Secor Rd. resident reported that workers stole two iPads from her house Jan. 15.

A Richbell Rd. resident reported that a package was stolen from his house after it was delivered and signed for by an unknown person Jan. 20. The house has been vacant for two months, the owner said.

A Scarsdale Ave. business owner reported money missing from the business Jan. 23.

Airbnb scam
On Jan. 19, a man reported that he booked a Popham Rd. apartment through Airbnb. He arrived that day and expected to be let in by the host named “Rosie”. He called her and she said she would not be letting him into the apartment. The door concierge said at least seven people had experienced the same situation. Airbnb said it would conduct an investigation. On Jan. 24, a woman reported a similar experience with an Airbnb listing for a Popham Rd. apartment, possibly the same one.

Fraud and identity theft
On Jan. 20, a Brewster Rd. man reported being the victim of financial fraud. He said he was contacted by two men stating his account had been compromised. They requested that he send $4,966.98 and $5,000 to them via Zelle and Apple Pay in order to verify his account. He did this before realizing it was a scam. He needed a police report in order to request a refund follow-up with the bank.

The Scarsdale School District reported receiving a fraudulent invoice for consulting services that were never received Jan. 21. The bookkeeper realized it was a scam and did not pay the fraudulent invoice.

On Jan. 21, a Hampton Rd. woman reported that someone used her social security number to fraudulently open credit card accounts in her name in November.

Suspicious
A Heathcote Rd. store employee felt a customer was suspicious because he was acting “weird – asking strange questions about the store and jewelry” Jan. 20. Extra ridebys were requested.

A camera was reported near the playground of Edgewood School Jan. 22. Patrol observed a black bock attached to the pole at the location. The box might be in regard to a traffic study. Patrol informed command staff about the box. They will look into the purpose of the box and who placed it.

On Jan. 22, employees of a Boniface Circle store said an erratic female customer on a scooter made them uncomfortable, so they closed the store. Patrol advised the individual, who was currently on a public sidewalk, of the described complaint. She stated she was waiting for a taxi. She refused any further police assistance and refused medical attention.

Snow
A Chase Rd. business was instructed to remove snow from the sidewalk Jan. 19.

Help
Police stood by while a son retrieved personal property from his father’s house on Copper Beech Lane Jan. 23.

An Overhill Rd caller reported his parents were not giving him his credit cards and were kicking him out of the house Jan. 23. Police stood by while the caller retrieved personal property from the house.

On Jan. 24, a Copper Beech Lane woman reported receiving an alarming email from her stepson in which he stated that he hopes she “stays petrified.”

Police conducted a welfare check of a Greenacres Ave. man at the request of a concerned daughter Jan. 25.

Homeless
A homeless man was twice reported to be in the garbage room of the Christie Place garage Jan. 26. The second time, he apologized and said he would be leaving soon. He said he wanted to use an outlet to charge his phone.

Pedestrian struck
On Jan 22, around 6:45 p.m., a resident reported that he had been struck by a car while walking home and crossing the intersection of Popham Rd. and Scarsdale Ave. The driver stopped and asked about his condition. He said he was OK and continued walking home.

Cars and roadways
A disabled car was towed from Post Rd. Jan. 19.

A parked Porsche was left running on East Parkway Jan. 20. Police contacted the owner who said he would be back to the car in 20 minutes.

Verizon was notified about low-hanging wires on Church Lane Jan. 22.

An overnight parking summons was issued to the owner of a gray Mazda illegally parked on Brambach Rd. Jan. 24.

A parked car on Freightway Rd. was found to have an expired registration and inspection. Police issued summonses for the violations.

A Garth Rd. driver reported damage to his 2024 Porsche due to ongoing construction at Freightway Garage Jan. 24.

Two accidents were officially reported in the Village this week.

Village code
Police dispersed a group of kids from Beechwood Lane after dark Jan. 24.

Lost and found
A resident reported that he mailed two license plates to the DMV, but the pates were lost in transit Jan. 21.

Firefighters
On Jan. 20, firefighters were called to turn off water in a Heathcote Rd. house due to a leak. Once inside, police were asked to assist in checking the house due to a condition that was in extreme disarray. A safety check for any occupancy issues was conducted. A large stack of unopened mail was discovered. Food supplies in the kitchen appeared to have been accessed by animals. Con Edison was requested to shut off utilities due to the home being abandoned.

On Jan. 20, firefighters assisted at a Hampton Rd. house with a water leak from a second-floor laundry room leaking water into first-floor office. The detector was removed in the office, and the alarm was reset. Firefighters advised the resident to call the restoration company to mitigate water damage. The breaker was shut to the ceiling lighting that had water exposure.

Improper use of equipment inside a Brewster Rd. house caused carbon monoxide levels to rise Jan. 21. Firefighters removed the equipment from the house and ventilated.

Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of a gas odor in a Carman Rd. house Jan. 21.

Firefighters assisted at a four-car accident on the Hutchinson River Parkway Jan. 21.

Firefighters assisted with an accident involving a bicyclist struck by a car on Mamaroneck Rd. Jan. 23. The bicyclist suffered a laceration to his head and was attend to by Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

On Jan. 24, a Ferncliff Rd. family returned from vacation and found themselves locked out of their house. Firefighters helped them gain entry.

A snow plow struck a car on Weaver St. Jan. 25. Firefighters assisted. The occupant of the car was taken to the hospital by Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

On Jan. 25, an Olmsted Rd. resident tried to start a fire in the fireplace, but the flue was closed. This caused smoke to enter the residence.

Firefighters extinguished the fire and ventilated the residence.

Snow blocked exhaust vents at a Carstensen Rd. house, causing a boiler to malfunction and allowing carbon monoxide to enter the residence Jan. 25. Firefighters stood by for Con Edison, and the boiler was shut down.

A Sprague Rd. resident reported no heat in the house Jan. 25. Firefighters were unable to start the boiler and advised to call for service.

This report covering police and fire department activity from January 19 - 26 has been compiled from official information.