Suspicious Man in a Van, Woman Stuck in Elevator and a Small Fire in Edgewood

Photo Credit: Shelley GrafsteinArrests: On Oct. 4, police arrested Gabino Contero-Rojas, 24, of Eastchester, on charges of driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of .18 or more, operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, having an open container of alcohol inside a motor vehicle, speeding in a zone, following too closely, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, an unregistered motor vehicle, driving left of pavement markings, driving without a proper license, and operation of a motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver, The arrest occurred after police clocked Contero-Rojas driving 58 mph in a 30 mph zone and subsequently conducted a traffic stop. He was released on his own recognizance with an appearance ticket for Village Court on Oct. 21.

On Oct. 4, Andre Roley, 41, of Mt. Vernon, was arrested on charges of failing to stop at a stop sign, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle with three or more suspensions in three months and operation of a motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver. The arrest occurred after a traffic stop on Walworth Ave. He was released on his own recognizance with an appearance ticket for Village Court on Oct. 21.

Identity theft
On Sept. 28, a Dobbs Terrace resident reported that several fraudulent purchase attempts were made on her credit card at a local Apple store. None of the attempted transactions went through.               

On Sept. 29, a Crane Rd. resident reported that multiple credit cards were attempted to be opened in his name.

Criminal mischief
On Oct. 2, a North Chase Rd. resident reported that his Ring doorbell camera and another camera caught a man walking onto his property and damaging the doorbell camera.

Damage
On Oct. 4, police responded to White Rd. on the report of a man chasing a child. At that time, police encountered a father who lived just over the Eastchester border and said he needed help with his special needs child. Police advised dispatch to contact Eastchester police and EVAC. Each responded to the location.The father said his child damaged a parked vehicle on a Scarsdale street. He requested that police provide the vehicle owner with his contact information so he could reimburse the owner for damages.

First culvert completed on Catherine Road: Photo Credit: Jon Mark

Suspicious
On Sept. 28, a resident reported that his 12-year -old daughter was approached by a Hispanic man with short black hair, brown eyes, a "Dominoes" blue shirt and driving a "beaten up" white van in the area of Horseguard Lane. The man allegedly asked the girl to "help him with directions." The girl did not engage the man but instead continued on her way to soccer practice. The resident said the encounter frightened her daughter. Police canvassed the area but did not find the man or the white van. On October 8, the village sent out this notice about the incident and another similar incident in Greenacres:

Dear Scarsdale Families,

We are writing to keep you informed about two recent student-reported interactions with a stranger in our community.

On September 28 in the afternoon, a student in the Fox Meadow neighborhood was approached by someone driving a white van and asked to help with something inside the vehicle. In a separate incident on October 7, before school, a student in the Greenacres neighborhood was similarly approached by someone in a white van and asked to help deliver a package. In both situations, the students acted correctly by moving to safety and notifying their parents.

Both incidents were reported to the Scarsdale Police Department (SPD) once students informed their parents, which is actively investigating and increasing patrols across town, particularly during school arrival and dismissal times. District and school personnel have also been alerted and remain vigilant.

We ask that you use this opportunity to discuss stranger safety with your children. Please remind them to never approach unfamiliar vehicles, to stay with friends whenever possible, and to immediately report any suspicious interactions to the nearest trusted adult, such as a school official, crossing guard, safety monitor, or police officer. Immediate reporting is crucial in helping law enforcement intervene effectively.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and shared commitment to keeping our school community safe.

Sincerely,

Andrew Patrick, Superintendent of Schools
Steven DelBene, Chief of Police

On Sept. 29, a Canterbury Rd. woman reported that her daughter heard unusual noises in the garage earlier that morning. Police examined the garage and found nothing out of the ordinary.

Help
A woman got stuck inside a restroom inside a Harwood Ct. building Sept. 29. She called the police, who then called building management. Building management assisted in opening the door, releasing the woman unharmed.

Police helped disperse a group of youths from a Brookby Rd. backyard Oct. 2.

Homeless
A homeless man sleeping in the pedestrian tunnel at the Scarsdale train station said he was waiting for a train on Sept. 29. Police asked him to wait for the train on the platform.

Neighbors
A Jefferson Rd. resident was complaining that a neighbor's contractor was cutting stone, and the dust was blowing in his yard Oct. 2. Police mediated the dispute between the neighbors.

Death
On Oct. 29, a 78-year-old female resident of a Saxon Woods Rd. care facility died in her room.

Cars and roadways
On Oct. 2, police called a tow for a disabled car on Post Rd.
Patrol removed a branch from Drake and Jefferson roads Oct. 2.
A large turtle was reported on Secor Rd. Oct. 3. It moved off the roadway without the need for intervention.
Two car accidents were reported in the Village this week.
Police issued summonses this week to one driver found to have registration and licensing violations.

Village code
On Oct. 3, police advised a Post Rd. party host that neighbors had complained about noise. The host lowered the music volume and moved the party inside.

Lost and found
A Claremont Rd. resident reported losing a license plate from her car Sept. 28.
A Montrose Rd. resident reported losing a license plate from her car Sept. 30.
A resident reported losing her driver's license somewhere in the Village Sept. 30.

Firefighters
Firefighters placed an elevator out of service on Palmer Ave. Sept. 29. The elevator was observed to have collected more than two inches of water in the shaft.

On Sept. 29, firefighters investigated an odor inside a Hamilton Rd. house and determined it was coming from a sewer relining procedure happening nearby. Firefighters filled the trap with water to block odors from entering the home.

Contractors using a gas-powered concrete polishing machine in a Park Rd. basement caused a carbon monoxide alarm activation on Sept. 29. Firefighters ventilated the space and instructed contractors not to use gas-powered tools inside a structure.

A small gas leak in a dryer hose inside a Park Rd. house was detected Sept. 29. Con Edison and firefighters sealed the leak.

On Sept. 30, a driver locked keys inside a car parked in a Post Rd. parking lot. Firefighters opened the car and retrieved the keys.

A small fire inside a contained space at Edgewood School was reported Oct. 1. Firefighters used a hand line to extinguish the fire. They checked and confirmed it had not extended.

On Oct. 3, firefighters investigated an odor inside a Lincoln Rd. house. It was determined to be an odor from sewage backup. Firefighters suggested calling a plumber.

A Cooper Rd. resident put two empty helium tanks out for recycling Oct. 3. The tanks were not picked up. Firefighters advised the resident to find a proper way to dispose of the tanks.

This report covering police and fire department activity from Sept. 28 - Oct. 4 has been compiled from official information.