Police Report: Firefighters knock down electrical house fires on Oak Way and Drake Road
- Details
- Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig
- Hits: 6386
A second story bedroom of an Oak Way house caught fire the morning of Sept. 1. Upon arrival around 8:50 a.m., firefighters saw smoke and fire coming from a rear second-floor window of a three-story house of wooden structure. Two occupants – a mother and her son – self evacuated. They suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to White Plains Hospital Center for treatment. Firefighters stretched a hose line to the second floor, where they found heavy fire in a bedroom. Firefighters closed the bedroom door and charged the hose line. Once the hose was charged and ready, firefighters began suppression of the fire. A second hose line was stretched to the second floor to assist the first crew with the first hose. It took approximately 15 minutes to knock down the fire. During this time, others firefighters searched the house and looked for extension of the fire. They also began ventilation. Firefighters from surrounding communities, off-duty Scarsdale firefighters, and Scarsdale volunteer firefighters worked with on-duty staff who responded to the call. Con Edison gas and electric departments, the Scarsdale building department, Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the Westchester County Cause and Origin Team responded to the call to provide assistance as needed. The fire was confined to the room of origin and the exterior of the house immediately outside the room's window. Crews performed an extensive overhaul of the affected room, and they deployed salvage covers on the first floor area beneath the fire room. The main electrical breaker was turned off, and all doors to the house were left secured. The cause of the fire was determined to be electrical and accidental in nature. "It was a good fire, but the guys did a really good job getting the line in place," said Scarsdale Fire Chief Jim Seymour. "You can tell the training we do every day paid off because they were able to hold the fire to the room of origin and knock it down quickly."
Earlier in the week, on August 30, firefighters responded to a report of smoke inside a Drake Road house. While on their way, firefighters also received a report of an activated automatic fire alarm in the house. Arriving at the scene, firefighters were greeted by occupants, who stated a clothes dryer was on fire. Heavy smoke in the basement created a situation of zero visibility. Firefighters stretched a hose line through the rear kitchen door and extended it into the basement stairwell. Firefighters entered the basement with a pressurized water extinguisher, and extinguished the fire in the clothes dryer. Fans were used to extract smoke from the house and ventilate the structure. The dryer was disconnected and removed from the house. Firefighters checked the structure of the house with thermal imaging cameras and confirmed there was no extension of the fire. The fire was confined to the clothes dryer. Smoke damage was determined to be throughout the house. Volunteer firefighters from the village, as well as a professional team from Greenville, assisted. The apparent cause of the fire was a short in the electrical wiring, possibly caused by a bird, whose dead carcass was found inside the dryer vent. The dryer was an older model Frigidaire brand.
Stolen package
On Sept. 3, a Graham Road woman reported someone stole a package from her front porch sometime after its delivery Aug. 31. The woman was out of town at the time. The package contained an Olympus camera and lens purchased from Target for $709.74. She notified Target that she had not received the package; however, since the delivery service confirmed delivery, Target representatives said they would not reimburse the woman for the camera.
Identity theft
On Aug. 31, a Tompkins Road woman reported someone used her personal information to open a VIP account with Harrah's Laughlin, a casino in Laughlin, Nevada, in the recent past. On July 29, the person cashed a fraudulent check there. The check was guaranteed through Global Payments Check Services, Inc. When the check was not honored, GPCS reimbursed Harrah's Laughlin in the full amount. GPCS is now seeking reimbursement of that money from the Tompkins Road woman. The woman's lawyer wrote a letter to GPCS, stating the woman was a victim of identity theft and was in no way connected to the fraudulent check. The woman told police a similar incident also occurred around the same time at another casino, also in Laughlin, Nevada.
Harassment
On Aug. 28, a Quaker Ridge woman reported she was being harassed by the ex-girlfriend of a man whom the woman dated briefly. The woman said the ex-girlfriend obtained her phone number when she took the man's cell phone and copied all his contacts. The ex-girlfriend has left repeated messages on the woman's cell phone, asking for nutritional advice and love advice. In another message, she yells at the woman to stay away from the man and lists the names of the woman's father, mother, ex-husband and various friends. The ex-girlfriend then calls the woman a derogatory name. The ex-girlfriend has also called the woman's father's medical office and made unnecessary comments. The woman's father is in the process of filing a separate harassment complaint in his jurisdiction. The woman said she is fearful of her safety because she learned that the ex-girlfriend sent Facebook friend requests to her children, family members and friends. The woman said she also fears for the safety of her children after she learned of emails the ex-girlfriend sent to the ex-boyfriend. These emails specifically contained images of the woman's children and references to the children. The woman has since blocked the ex-girlfriend from her social media contacts, as well as from her family's social media contacts. She still receives voicemails on her phone, however.
On Aug. 30, the manager of Chase bank, on Palmer Avenue, reported the bank received an anonymous phone call from a woman who stated, "You keep messin' with my man, I'll come down there and kill you." The manager did not know whom the caller was attempting to reach or to whom she was referring. Chase's security department advised the manager to file a police report.
Criminal mischief
On Sept. 2, a Mount Vernon woman parked her car in the parking lot of Kids' Base/Little School and returned, later in the day, to find a long scratch along both driver's side doors of her car. She told police she had no idea who would have a motivation to "key" her car. She is employed as a snack bar worker at the Scarsdale pool.
Dog bite
A postal worker's left calf was bitten by a dog at a Heathcote Road house while delivering mail Aug. 29. The worker drove himself to a hospital for treatment immediately after the bite, and his supervisor followed up with police. Patrol interviewed the dog's owner and obtained up-to-date vaccination paperwork. The owner was told to quarantine his dog for 10 days, as per law.
Dumpster
On Aug. 28, a Crane Road resident said a neighbor has been dumping trash, boxes and old mail into the Crane Road resident's dumpster. Police spoke with the neighbor, who said she just moved into a Stonehouse Road rental house, and advised her to dispose of garbage only on her own property.
Stream
A caller reported seeing a milky white substance in a stream water on Fox Meadow Road, between Butler and Chesterfield roads Aug. 28. The caller's concern was that someone might be dumping chemicals in the stream. Police observed the white substance but were unable to identify its nature or origin.
Caller
An Evon Court woman received two missed calls and a text from an unknown number Aug. 28. She asked police to contact the unknown person. Police called the number and a juvenile answered. He said his name was "Chris." When "Chris" realized he was talking to police, he hung up. Patrol notified the woman of their findings.
Photographer
A Hamilton Road resident reported seeing an unknown man taking pictures of a neighbor's house Aug. 30. She approached the man and asked him if he knew the neighbors. He said he did not and left in a silver, four-door sedan. She found the incident suspicious and wanted police to know about it.
Disgruntled employee
On Aug. 31, the manger of Fenway Golf Club reported a fired caddy "keeps showing up and causing distractions." The manger wanted him to leave the premises. By the time police arrived at the club, the caddy had already left.
Who's there?
At 11:30 p.m., Aug. 31, a Rodney Road resident reported someone rang his doorbell three times within the last 45 minutes, but when he went to the door, no one was there. While on the phone with patrol, someone began knocking on the resident's door. Patrol canvassed the exterior of the house and saw nothing suspicious.
A Park Road woman called police because someone was knocking at her door, and she wasn't expecting anyone at 7 p.m., Sept. 1. She soon called back and told police no assistance was needed. The mysterious knocker was revealed to be a FedEx agent making a delivery.
Marred cars
A man parked his car in the parking lot of DeCicco's Marketplace on Christie Place, shopped in the store and noticed his rear taillight and rear quarter panel had been damaged Aug. 31. According to the police log, the damage did not appear to be from a recent auto accident, and the man could not confirm that the damage occurred in the parking lot. The man said he required a police report for insurance purposes only.
On Aug. 31, a Wayside Lane woman reported an unknown person smeared white paint on her parked car. Patrol examined the suspected paint and determined it was residue from bird droppings. The location of the parked car beneath trees supported patrol's assessment of the markings. The woman advised patrol she would take care of cleaning up the white markings.
Welfare checks
A caller reported a woman might need assistance in a Wilmot Road parking lot Sept. 1. Patrol arrived and saw the woman, who was known to police, standing by her car. Patrol asked her if she needed any assistance, and she declined. She was not engaged in anything else, aside from standing next to her car. No further assistance was required.
A caller reported a woman who might need assistance in a silver hatchback in a Weaver Street parking lot Sept. 3. The caller said the woman appeared to be "catatonic." Patrol informed New Rochelle police for follow-up since the parking lot was in their jurisdiction. Later, the woman drove her car to the Golden Horseshoe parking lot, and the caller stated concern for her wellbeing. Patrol and New Rochelle police mutually followed up. The woman, known to police, told police she was okay and did not require any assistance.
Water
An elderly Mamaroneck Road resident reported her water was brown, and she needed to take her medication with clean water Aug. 30. She said she had no means to get clean water since she is elderly. Police notified the on-call water department employee for follow-up.
An Ardmore Road woman called 911 at 2 a.m., Sept. 2, to report a large amount of water was leaking into her house from an unknown location on the second floor. She asked patrol to check and advise. When patrol arrived at the house, patrol saw water running down an interior stairwell from the second floor. Patrol was able to stop the flow of water from its source, which was determined to be a leaking toilet. Patrol advised the homeowner, who lives alone, to contact a plumber for repairs. The woman told patrol her children live in the city, and she would contact them in the morning for cleanup help.
911
A 911 call was placed to a dispatcher in Montreal, Canada, from a Scarsdale resident's cell phone Sept. 2. The dispatcher heard yelling and a child crying in the background. Montreal dispatchers and Scarsdale police attempted to call the cell phone, but they did not have success. AT&T requested that police go to the resident's house for a welfare check. A woman answered the door and stated she was staying at the house while the family was away with their daughter. She did not know where the family was. She tried to reach the family by cell phone but was not successful. Dispatch eventually reached the family. The father said the 911 call was made in error by his daughter, who had been playing with the phone. The yelling and crying was a result of the parents reprimanding the daughter for playing with the phone.
Cars and roadways
Police notified Verizon and taped up a fallen wire from Fayette Road Aug. 28.
The Department of Transportation was contacted to repair a malfunctioning traffic light at Post and Mamaroneck roads Aug. 29.
Police advised a contractor to park his vehicles so as not to obstruct driveways on Elm Road Aug. 30.
A driver told police he was involved with a minor accident involving a pedestrian, who walked away from the accident scene to catch a train, Aug. 30. The accident occurred on the Bronx River Parkway ramp near Lynwood Road. Police referred the driver to Greenburgh police.
Police called a tow for a disabled truck on Post Road Aug. 30.
On Sept. 1, police issued summonses to owners of cars parked on Sycamore Road in violation of "no parking anytime" signs.
Police notified Con Edison and highway workers about a fallen branch resting on secondary wires on Overlook Road Sept. 2.
A fallen tree knocked down a primary wire on Donellan Road Sept. 2. Patrol secured the area with tape and blocked the road, pending Con Edison's arrival. Firefighters stood by.
A caller reported teenagers driving a minivan erratically and shouting obscenities at 10:30 p.m., Sept. 3.
Patrol called an auto service agency for a driver with a flat tire on Ridgedale Avenue at 2 a.m., Sept. 4.
Patrol assisted with traffic control on Griffen Avenue while a disabled car was pushed off the roadway and located in a safe space, pending assistance, Sept. 4.
Five car accidents were reported in the village this week.
Village code
Police issued summonses to landscapers using gas-powered leaf blowers on Tunstall Road Aug. 28 and Fox Meadow Road and Larch Lane Aug. 30.
A contractor was making noise, in violation of village code, at a Tisdale Road construction site at 7:30 a.m., Sept. 1. Patrol advised the contractor of village code. The contractor stopped and promised full compliance going forward.
Police issued a village code violation summons to a contractor performing noisy work at a Heathcote Road job site at 7:41 a.m., Sept. 2.
A caller reported noisy kids sitting on curbing at Chesterfield and Tompkins roads at 9 p.m., Sept. 3. The kids told police they had just left a party and were waiting for rides to pick them up. Prior to patrol's departure, all kids left for home.
Patrol told kids playing basketball on Boulevard that their game was too noisy and they would have to stop at 12:45 a.m., Sept. 4.
Lost and found
A suitcase containing a few miscellaneous items was found on Fox Meadow School grounds Aug. 29. After patrol determined the suitcase was not dangerous or harmful, school staff placed it in their "lost and found" area.
A caller reported losing his wallet, containing $200 and a credit card, on Post Road Aug. 29. He said he would cancel the credit card.
On Sept. 1, a Bradley Road woman reported losing her car's license plates from DMV before she even received them sometime within the last year.
Firefighters
Firefighters found a minor gas leak at an outdoor gas service valve on Garden Road Aug. 28. They stood by for Con Edison.
A gas odor and readings of explosive natural gas were found near a natural gas regulator in the basement of a Haverford Avenue basement Aug. 28. Firefighters notified Con Edison and stood by.
An oven fan would not shut off in a Secor Road house Aug. 28. Firefighters de-energized the unit and shut off the gas supply. They advised the homeowner to have the unit repaired.
A Chase Road resident reported a light, burning odor inside the house Aug. 30. Firefighters checked all obvious possible sources but were unable to identify the source. A thermal imaging camera confirmed nothing was burning inside the house. The odor eventually dissipated.
A Fairview Road resident reported light smoke in the kitchen Aug. 31. Firefighters traced the source of the smoke to an overheated instant hot water circulator. Firefighters unplugged the unit and checked for extension. None was found.
Firefighters helped a Corell Road resident shut power to a broken shower module Aug. 31.
Firefighters helped Con Edison check a Boulder Brook Road house for possible gas infiltration Aug. 31. No natural gas was found inside the house.
An oven was emitting carbon monoxide and producing an odor in a Morris Lane house Aug. 31. Firefighters disconnected the unit and stood by for Con Edison.
The elevator at the Scarsdale train station was out of alignment, so its door was open and the alarm was sounding Sept. 1. Firefighters put the elevator out of service and closed the door. They taped off all entrances to the elevator and notified MTA, to arrange for repair.
A large tree limb fell on house service wires at a Donellan Road house Sept. 2. Firefighters shut down the main electrical panel and notified Con Edison. The water department was also called because of a leaking main on the street and a reverberating sound in the house's water lines. The residents said they were leaving the house to stay with relatives for the night.
This week, firefighters assisted with two car accidents in the village and on the Hutchinson River Parkway. They responded to three false carbon monoxide alarms and 12 false fire alarms caused by device malfunction, shower steam, cooking smoke and a battery change.
This report covering police and fire department activity from Aug. 28 – September 4 has been compiled from official information.
This police report is sponsored by Scarsdale Security who does more than just security. Contact them about remote video for your home or business. Call 914-722-2200 or visit their website.
Police Report: Landscaper Arrested for Assault. Connecticut Men Arrested for Possession of Marijuana.
- Details
- Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig
- Hits: 6354
Assault arrest: On Aug. 24, Robben Agustin, 19, of New Rochelle, was arrested on a charge of third-degree assault. The victim was a 33-year-old co-worker. Both men are landscapers and were working at a Tompkins Road house when the incident occurred. Agustin was allegedly using a weed whacker when grass clippings from the victim's mower flew in Agustin's direction. Agustin was allegedly displeased with the clippings and punched the victim in the face. The blow caused swelling, a cut lip, bleeding and a knocked out tooth. The victim was taken to White Plains Hospital Center for evaluation and treatment. Agustin was taken to headquarters and eventually released with an appearance ticket for Scarsdale Village Justice Court, returnable Aug. 30.
Marijuana arrests
On Aug. 24, patrol was safeguarding an active construction site on Mamaroneck Road, with the eastbound lane closed to traffic. At this time, a car bearing Missouri license plates went around the barricade and proceeded east on Mamaroneck Road. Patrol conducted a traffic stop, and the driver – Bayron A. Sierra-Torres, 23, of Waterbury, Connecticut – said he did not realize the road was closed to traffic. While speaking with Sierra-Torres, police noticed a smell of marijuana emanating from the car and Sierra-Torres. Patrol asked Sierra-Torres if there was any marijuana in the car, and Sierra-Torres initially denied that there was. The front seat passenger – Norvin D. Marquez, 37, of Waterbury, Connecticut – told police he had marijuana in his possession and provided police with a baggie containing marijuana. Marquez told police that he and the other occupants of the car were sheetrockers working in the area. He said they had gone out for lunch and smoked marijuana after lunch. Sierra-Torres, Marquez and three rear seat passengers were asked to get out of the car. Patrol searched the car and saw, in plain sight, a bag of marijuana in a driver's side front door compartment. Patrol asked Sierra-Torres about it, and Sierra-Torres said, "It's theirs," referring to all the passengers of the car. Sierra-Torres clothing smelled of burnt marijuana; yet he claimed he never smoked marijuana. A check of Sierra-Torres's driver's license revealed it had been suspended on July 27 for failure to answer a traffic summons in Bedford. Sierra-Torres was arrested on charges of unlawful possession of marijuana and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. He was released with an appearance ticket for Scarsdale Village Justice Court, returnable Aug. 30. Marquez was also arrested and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, due to his admission of having illegal marijuana. Marquez was released with an appearance ticket for Scarsdale Village Justice Court, returnable Aug. 30.
Harassment
A Greenacres resident reported being harassed over Facebook by a former business partner Aug. 24. The harassment includes disparaging comments spanning a two-year period. Additionally, the alleged harassment includes a piece of mail containing a photo of a child with a caption under it that the resident felt was harassing. The contents of the caption were not disclosed by police.
Domestic matter
A woman was concerned because she could not make contact with her husband at 7 a.m., Aug. 21. She told police he had left the house overnight, after the couple got into an argument. Before patrol arrived at the house to follow-up, the woman called back, stating she had since gotten in touch with her husband.
A wife called 911 and stated her husband was being difficult Aug. 26. She told an officer on the scene that she and her husband were arguing over financial and marital responsibilities. Patrol advised them to seek professional assistance if they could not communicate amicably with each other.
Indecent exposure
A caller reported an Asian man, approximately 30-40 years old, engaged in possible masturbation near a pond near the Bronx River Parkway and Greenacres Avenue Aug. 21. Patrol went to the scene, but the man was no longer there. Westchester County police were notified for follow-up.
Disruptive passengers
Police escorted a disruptive passenger off a Metro North train at Scarsdale train station Aug. 22. MTA police arrived and handled the situation with the passenger.
An intoxicated and vomiting 50-year-old man was escorted off a Metro North train at Scarsdale train station around 2 a.m., Aug. 25. Police called Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and the man was taken to White Plains Hospital Center. The man only had a credit card on him for identification. He was unable to provide further coherent information.
Help
An elderly Alzheimer's patient from Pleasantville boarded a train and got off in Scarsdale, without her family's knowledge Aug. 21. Once in the village, she became confused. Patrol contacted the woman's family, and they picked her up. They said they were in the process of moving the woman closer to them, so they could better monitor her. The woman told police she had come to Scarsdale because she wanted to visit the house in which she grew up.
Missing son
A Jefferson Road mother called police because she could not find her son, who had last been seen at a Garden Road friend's house Aug. 21. Approximately 15 minutes later, the mother reported she had located her son. There had been a miscommunication about plans, exacerbated by an inoperable cell phone.
Asked to leave
The operations manager of a Saxon Woods Road facility reported "two black men in a BMW on his property, who were refusing to leave," Aug. 24. The manager said the men were told not to return to the property approximately two months ago, due to the fact that the manager felt they had possibly scammed an elderly resident for funds. The resident did not feel he had been scammed, and he therefore declined to document the alleged incident. Police spoke with the two men. They said they were drivers, and they were waiting for their employer, an elderly woman who was visiting the elderly resident who had reportedly been scammed in the past. Patrol informed the men that the manger of the facility did not want them on his the property. So, the men and their elderly female employer left.
Joyful noise
A caller reported an elderly man screaming and possiby disoriented while walking on Lawrence Road Aug. 27. He was described as wearing a suit jacket and having a long, gray beard. Police made contact with the man. He said he was a congregant of Westchester Reform Temple, walking to his house in New Rochelle. He said he was singing and praying as he walked in order to express his joyful mood.
Suspicious
On Aug. 21, a Madison Road woman reported her daughter saw a man on her neighbor's property. It was 8:30 p.m., and the neighbor said no one from the family had been outside in the yard. Police canvassed the area for the unknown man but did not find him.
A woman reported a man approached her on the Bronx River Parkway bike path, attempted to talk to her and put his hand on her in a non-threatening way Aug. 27. The man was described as a while man, approximately 40years old, 6 feet tall and wearing a white T-shirt and blue windbreaker pants. She said his behavior made her feel uncomfortable. Police referred her to Westchester County police.
Cars and roadways
Con Edison was informed about a wire brought down by a low hanging branch at Greenacres Avenue and Colvin Road Aug. 21. Before the matter was rectified, the tree with the low branches fell down. The highway department was dispatched to remove the tree, while Con Edison addressed the wires.
A caller reported a lemonade stand at Brewster and Kingston roads Aug. 21. The caller said it was causing a hazard to traffic. Patrol went to the stand and did not find it to be causing a problem. The children there were raising money for a charitable organization.
A driver drove away from a gas pump, with the nozzle still attached to her car, at a Scarsdale Avenue gas station, Aug. 21. The nozzle was damaged and needs to be replaces, the gas station manager said. A police report was created for insurance purposes.
Police called a tow for a disabled car on Weaver Street Aug. 22.
Police notified the highway department about a dislodged manhole cover on Post Road Aug. 22.
The highway department was notified about a dead tree on Catherine Road Aug. 22.
A car ran out of gas on Post Road Aug. 22. Police directed traffic around the car until someone arrived with gasoline.
Patrol removed a fallen tree branch from Post Road Aug. 22.
Police observed a parked car with its lights flashing on Carman Road Aug. 24. Police notified the owner, who turned off the car's lights.
A parked car on Sage Terrace was inadvertently left with its windows open Aug. 25. Police contacted the owner, and the owner closed the windows.
Police secured an open parking meter on East Parkway Aug. 26. The coin canister was intact, and nothing appeared missing.
Six car accidents were reported in the village this week. One involved an ice cream truck, with failed steering, that crashed into a Fox Meadow Road yard Aug. 24.
Civil matter
A Garth Road tenant reported a problem with his landlord Aug. 22. The tenant said his apartment has a leaking roof and a sewer drain problem that the landlord has refused to address. Furthermore, there has been a lack of communication regarding the issues. In order to encourage the landlord to fix the problems, the tenant stopped paying rent; and as a result, the landlord turned off the tenant's hot water. Additionally, the tenant alleged that his apartment and car were recently entered without his permission, and he believes his landlord might have been involved. Police advised the tenant to seek resolution to this civil matter by speaking to the building department, the Westchester County Department of Social Services or a civil court.
Lost dog
Police reunited a lost dog and its Obry Drive owner Aug. 27.
Village code
Police issued a summons to landscapers using gas-powered leaf blowers on Lincoln Road and Brite Avenue Aug. 21, Greenacres Avenue Aug. 22, Brite Avenue Aug. 23, Ogden and Kensington roads Aug. 24, Cornell Street Aug. 25 and Weaver Street, Brite Avenue and Lincoln Road Aug. 26. A verbal warning was issued to a landscaper on Brite Avenue Aug. 23.
A Johnson Road resident complained of construction and proposed demolition at a neighbor's property Aug. 21. Police and the building department said proper procedures were being followed. There were no violations of village code.
Lost and found
A woman reported losing her driver's license somewhere in the village Aug. 22.
A passerby found BMW keys at Brewster and Fenimore roads Aug. 22. She gave them to police.
An Alida Road resident reported losing her Nigerian passport somewhere in the village Aug. 22.
On Aug. 24, a Post Road resident reported losing her passport issued by the Bahamas.
Police contacted the owner of a lost wallet found on Huntington Avenue Aug. 27. The owner said he would come to headquarters the following Friday to pick up his wallet.
Firefighters
Firefighters helped a Mamaroneck Road resident open an interior door that was stuck closed Aug. 26.
This week, firefighters assisted with three car accidents in the village and on parkways. They responded to five false fire alarms caused by device malfunction, steam and cooking smoke.
This report covering police and fire department activity from Aug. 21-28 has been compiled from official information.
This police report is sponsored by Scarsdale Security who does more than just security. Contact them about remote video for your home or business. Call 914-722-2200 or visit their website.
Police Report: Young man with no legitimate reason for being in Village at 2:30 am arrested on warrant. Identity thief buys $1K dress, ships to Scarsdale and snatches delivery.
- Details
- Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig
- Hits: 6116
Arrest: At 2:30 a.m., Aug. 8, patrol noticed three young men from Mount Vernon milling about after they got off a train at Scarsdale train station. First, the young men walked to the Central Taxi stand and spoke to a person. Then, they seemed to begin "walking aimlessly" toward Spencer Place. Patrol approached the men to see if they needed directions or assistance. The men gave conflicting answers about their whereabouts and became evasive while answering patrol's questions. Other patrol units arrived for backup. Unable to provide a legitimate destination, reason or purpose for being in the village at such a late hour, the men were detained for further investigation. None of the men had wallets or ID on them. Two of the men were carrying backpacks that contained only a cell phone charger. Combined, the men had only $5.45. They did not have a return train ticket to Mount Vernon. A computer database confirmed the identity of two of the men. A further check revealed one of the men – a 17-year-old from Mount Vernon – was wanted by White Plains police for third-degree criminal trespassing and bail jumping. This young man was arrested and taken to headquarters, while the other two men awaited pickup by one of their mothers. White Plains police were contacted and a WPPD officer responded to headquarters around 4 a.m. to pick up the man.
Identity theft
On Aug. 9, a Hillandale Close woman reported someone opened a fraudulent account with P.C. Richard & Sons in her name. In July, she received a letter from Synchrony Bank referencing charges at P.C. Richards amounting to $10,345.31. The woman informed the bank and the store that the account and related charges were fraudulent.
On Aug. 12, a Paddington Road woman reported that fraudulent charges had been made on her American Express account. On Aug. 10, she was notified by Saks Fifth Avenue's fraud department that suspected fraudulent charges occurred at Saks Fifth Avenue. Orders for a floral silk dress for $1,954.20 and a coat for $4,311.10 had been placed on Aug. 8 and 9. The woman informed the fraud department that the orders were fraudulent, and the coat order from Aug. 9 was cancelled. However, the dress order from Aug. 8 had already been shipped out to the woman's address. Video surveillance shows the package being delivered on Aug. 10 at 1:51 p.m. and an unknown man removing the package from the woman's doorstep at 1:53 p.m.
Cash
A Chase Bank customer, from Garth Road, reported leaving an envelope containing $1,200 cash in the bank lobby on East Parkway Aug. 11. The man said he withdrew cash from his account and then proceeded to the ATM area to check his account balance. While there, the man placed the envelope containing the money on the counter. The man spoke with the bank manager, and the manger suggested the man report the matter to police. The manager said he would make the bank's video surveillance available to police for investigation.
Domestic matter
A woman called White Plains police reporting she "was having a verbal dispute with a male" on Secor Road in Scarsdale Aug. 13. Scarsdale police went to the scene and spoke with the woman. She said her daughter's boyfriend did not want to return her daughter's car keys to her. The daughter and boyfriend were present on the scene, with the woman. Patrol spoke with the boyfriend who agreed to return the car keys. No further assistance was requested.
Damaged door
A man called police and said his wife saw damage to their Bradford Road kitchen door and thought it might be related to a break-in or an attempted break-in Aug. 9. Police investigated the door and noted significant damage to the doorframe around the locking mechanism. The man's son denied causing damage to the door. Police determined the damage was caused by someone attempting to push the door open from the inside, despite it being locked by a deadbolt that could only be opened by a key. On Aug. 10, the wife had a follow-up interview with police. She agreed with detectives that the door must have been damaged accidentally. She was happy with the responsiveness and follow-up effort of the police department.
Help
An elderly woman went to the Central Taxi stand on East Parkway and expressed signs of confusion about "her address in Scarsdale" Aug. 9. The dispatcher was concerned and called police. Patrol called the woman's adult daughter, who said the woman was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The woman was from Pleasantville and had come to Scarsdale to visit her daughter. The woman's daughter picked up the woman up from the taxi stand. They declined medical attention.
Police checked on a man who appeared to be intoxicated while walking down Post Road shortly before midnight, Aug. 12. The man said he was trying to get home to New York City. Patrol assisted the man in finding the train station.
A Walworth Avenue woman reported an unknown person might be inside her house at 3 a.m., Aug. 12. The person turned out to be the woman's daughter.
Assist
Police were called and asked to act as backup for New Rochelle police officers during an arrest on Weaver Street Aug. 14.
Photos
A Carthage Road man reported that someone in a red sedan appeared to be taking pictures of his house Aug. 9. The sedan's license plate was registered to a car rental company. Police are following up.
Locked door
A three-year-old boy accidentally got locked inside his mother's Audi while the car was running, with the air conditioning on, on Secor Road Aug. 10. Patrol went to the mother's house and brought back an extra car key. The car was safely unlocked, and the child was in good health and fine spirits.
For sale
A Sherbrooke Road woman said three young men were caught looking at her house. They alleged an intention of buying it Aug. 10. The woman called police and told the young men they should contact her real estate agent instead.
Bicyclist
A Richbell Road woman called police to report an elderly man on a bicycle stopped in her driveway and appeared as if he was going to urinate there Aug. 11. When he noticed the woman, he stopped and continued on his way. Patrol found the bicyclist and cautioned him to refrain from trespassing on private property.
Driver
An Oak Lane homeowner reported a white man in his 30s, with shaggy brown hair, parked a late model white Subaru in his driveway Aug. 11. The homeowner approached the man to ask if he needed any help, and the driver allegedly yelled, "Get off my lawn. Seek; destroy; kill." The homeowner then told the man to get off his property, and the driver left in the direction of Brewster Road. A police officer canvassed the area and discovered a car and driver matching the homeowner's descriptions on Brewster Road. The officer asked the driver if he had had any recent interactions with anyone. The driver described a similar incident, as described by the homeowner; however, the driver's account of the incident portrayed the driver as the victim. According to the police report, the driver's responses and mannerisms were unusual. As a result and since the driver was operating a car, the police officer administered a series of tests, to assess driver capabilities. The driver passed the tests and was allowed to leave the scene. The homeowner did not request further follow-up.
Solicitors
On Aug. 12, patrol spoke with a man whom residents complained was soliciting on Overlook Road. The man said he was working with a religious organization called "Graceful Hands." A computer check indicated the man had outstanding warrants out of Georgia with limited extradition. The man said he was aware of the warrants and was actively working to clear them. A further computer check revealed that the man had been the subject of a field interview with Scarsdale police in 2016. Since the man was out canvassing as part of a religious organization, no village code violation had been committed. The man said he would be leaving the area shortly.
Police saw two men walking on Drake Road Aug. 12. They said they had been soliciting but had stopped when a resident advised them they needed a permit. Patrol reiterated solicitation requirements, as per village code.
Cars and roadways
On Aug. 7, police removed a fallen branch and tangled phone and cable wires from Canterbury Road. Utility providers were notified.
A loose manhole cover was put back into its proper place by police and firefighters Aug. 8.
A concerned caller saw a parked car with an open hatchback on Scarsdale Avenue Aug. 8. Police checked the car, and all other doors were locked. There were no signs of criminality. Police closed the hatchback.
Patrol notified the water department about a raised water cap at Murray Hill and Post roads Aug. 8.
Police notified Verizon about fallen wires, caused by a fallen branch on Greenacres Avenue Aug. 8.
Patrol placed flares around a car with a flat tire on Mamaroneck Road, pending the arrival of roadside assistance, at 10:13 p.m., Aug. 8.
While issuing a driver a summons for illegal tinted windows on East Parkway Aug. 10, police discovered the Brooklyn driver's license had been suspended on Aug. 9 for "parking violations – 5 tickets/notices of suspensions within the past 12 months." The driver said he could not supply his driver's license or proper identification. Instead, he verbally advised police of his pedigree information. He also showed police a copy of a handwritten moving violation issued by a New York City police officer. Patrol issued the driver three summonses for observed violations and had the car towed to an impound lot.
On Aug. 11, police placed a safety cone over a loose construction plate on Mamaroneck Road.
On Aug. 13, a Ryder moving truck pulled down power lines on Beechwood Lane. The lines were resting on the truck. All occupants of the truck were safely evacuated and relocated to a safe position. Police, firefighters, Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Con Edison responded to the scene.
A tree fell across Brewster Road, taking down power lines Aug. 13. The area was closed off, and Con Edison responded.
Patrol helped a driver change a flat tire on Mamaroneck Road Aug. 13.
Eleven car accidents were reported in the village this week.
Lost dog
Police reunited a loose dog found on Windsor Lane with its owner Aug. 10. The owner was issued a summons for having a dog at large.
Village code
After neighbors complained of noise, police asked a Boulevard party hostess to lower the volume of party music Aug. 7.
As per village code, police asked a construction foreman to wait until 8 a.m., Aug. 9, to start work paving Huntington Avenue, as per a contract with the village.
A tile saw was being used on Clarence Road early in the morning, before the permitted time, Aug. 12. Police issued a summons to the person using the power tool.
Police issued summonses to landscapers using gas-powered leaf blowers, in violation of village code, on Brookfield Lane Aug. 7, Cooper Road Aug. 8, Montrose Road Aug. 9, Popham Road Aug. 10 and Cayuga and Olmsted roads Aug. 12.
On Aug. 12, around 11:30 p.m., neighbors complained of loud music coming from a Spier Road house. Patrol went to the house and heard a live band playing. Patrol advised the homeowner about noise regulations and the band stopped playing. Approximately 30 minutes later, patrol received additional noise complaints from neighbors. Patrol returned to the house and saw the band playing again. Patrol issued a summons to the homeowner, and the band ceased and disassembled their instruments while patrol was on the scene. The homeowner asked if music could be played from a stereo, and patrol advised this was not allowed.
Lost and found
A passerby found a wallet at East Parkway and Spencer Place Aug. 10.
A man reported losing his company-issued Apple iPad on East Parkway Aug. 11. The "Find My iPad" feature on his computer indicated the computer's presence in the village. Patrol canvassed the area and searched for the iPad, but they could not locate it.
A girl lost her iPhone on Edgewood School grounds Aug. 12. Police reunited the girl with her phone.
A person found a wallet on the trunk of his car parked on East Parkway and gave it to a nearby business manager Aug. 13. The manger notified police, and patrol picked up the wallet. Patrol notified the owner, who subsequently responded to headquarters to pick up the wallet. She confirmed nothing was missing and thanked police.
Firefighters
Firefighters shut power to an overheated circulator pump in the Kids' Base facility on Mamaroneck Road because the pump was emitting a light smoke haze Aug. 7. Firefighters used fans to ventilate.
A car being pulled into a garage caused a false carbon monoxide alarm in a Birchall Drive garage Aug. 7.
A possible gas odor in a Scarsdale Avenue building was possibly caused by grease traps being cleaned in a restaurant occupying space in the building Aug. 7.
A cooktop was not properly sealed in a Carthage Road house. This allowed carbon monoxide to escape while cooking. Firefighters shut power to the cooktop and notified Con Edison Aug. 8.
A Penn Road homeowner reported a gas odor in the house Aug. 10 Firefighters did not detect any gas. They contacted Con Edison and turned the scene over to Con Edison. Firefighters removed an aerosol can filled with butane from the house.
A contractor struck a gas line while trying to remove an oil tank from a Cooper Road property Aug. 11. Firefighters stood by for Con Edison.
A generator at a Beechwood Lane house was leaking a small amount of gasoline Aug. 13. The homeowner detected the odor and called firefighters. Firefighters removed the generator from the garage, shut the supply valve and advised to have the unit drained of gasoline. Firefighters advised the owner to not store the generator in the house or garage for safety.
This week, firefighters assisted at three car accidents on parkways and in the village. They responded to 18 false fire alarms caused by device malfunction, cooking smoke, construction dust and a latched head.
This report covering police and fire department activity from Aug. 7-13 has been compiled from official information.This police report is sponsored by Scarsdale Security who does more than just security. Contact them about remote video for your home or business. Call 914-722-2200 or visit their website.
Police Report: Fatal Accident on Hutchinson River Parkway and Possession of Marijuana Leads to Two Arrests.
- Details
- Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig
- Hits: 8478
Fatal crash: A head-on crash on the Hutchinson River Parkway, at around 4:30 a.m., Aug. 20, left one woman dead and two seriously injured, according to police. The 30-year-old female driver of a Kia Sorrenta, with Connecticut license plates, apparently entered the parkway going the wrong direction and struck an oncoming Land Rover. The accident occurred near the Weaver Street exit. The 30-year-old driver of the Kia was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passenger, a woman in her late 30s, was removed from the car and taken to Westchester Medical Center's trauma unit, where she underwent surgery. No information of her condition was released. The driver of the Land Rover, a 30-year-old man, was in serious but stable condition. He was also taken to the hospital. A Mercedes Benz was also involved in the crash, as it apparently swerved off the road to avoid the other two cars and struck a tree. That driver, a man in his 50s, refused medical attention on the scene. Police are investigating why the Kia was driving the wrong way on the parkway – if the woman was possibly impaired or if she just entered the parkway in the wrong direction by mistake. Many drivers familiar with the parkway's entrance ramps throughout the county say the ramps' directions are often confusing, especially in the dark.
Arrests
Village Hall court officers called police about a possible incident of lewdness and indecent exposure at 11 a.m., Aug. 16. The officers stated they were specifically investigating a report of two individuals taking pictures of themselves with their pants down outside Village Hall. Patrol went to the scene and encountered a pickup truck allegedly occupied by the suspects. When the driver of the pickup rolled down the window to talk to patrol, patrol smelled marijuana coming from the truck. Patrol advised the car's occupants about the complaint of indecent exposure, and the occupants denied taking any such pictures. They said they were only taking selfies.
They opened the photo files on their phones and showed the recent pictures to patrol. The photos did not contain any lewd shots, and were in fact just selfies. In checking the driver's license, police learned the driver's license had been suspended on Aug. 12 for failing to answer a summons in the Bronx. It had also been suspended on May 18 for the driver failing to have insurance. The driver – Orville A. Berry, Jr., 19, of Fishkill, was also wanted by Queens police for an unanswered vehicle and traffic offense. The warrant office from Queens did not have any personnel available to pick up Berry on warrant. Police asked Berry if he had any marijuana in his possession, and Berry admitted to having two marijuana joints with him. He told police he had personally rolled the joints. Berry was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. His car's license plates were removed, and the car was towed to the registered owner's address. Berry was released on $100 cash bail and issued an appearance ticket for Scarsdale Village Justice Court, returnable on Aug. 23. The passenger of the car had no outstanding warrants; so he was released on the scene.
On Aug. 20, at 4 a.m., police noticed a car parked in the Scarsdale Library parking lot and stopped to check if everything was OK with the driver. The driver appeared nervous and agitated, according to police. She told police she was on her way home. Later she said she was on her way to Shop-Rite because she had insomnia and could not sleep. Police noticed her speech was slurred, and she appeared confused about her presence in the library parking lot. She could not provide a legitimate reason as to why she was in the parking lot; she was evasive; and she then told police, "I'm going to leave now." She drove to the parking lot exit, and police conducted a traffic stop. Backup patrol units arrived, and police detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car. She said she had not consumed any alcohol or taken any drugs or substances. The woman – later identified as Laura E. Ogden, 36, of Elma, NY – appeared disheveled, and bags, wrappers and other trash were strewn around the inside of her car. She was asked to get out of the car and perform field sobriety tests. She was unable to successfully complete the tests. An alco-sensor test revealed her blood alcohol level to be 0.00. Due to an odor of marijuana emanating from the car, police searched the car. There they found an unlabeled prescription pill bottle and two marijuana cigarettes on the car's center console. The pills were determined to be a generic form of a controlled substance. Ogden said the pills belonged to her, and the label was removed for privacy reasons. She was unable to produce a prescription for the pills. Patrol also found four used marijuana cigarettes, a pipe and a grinder in the car. A bag of 38 pills for a non-controlled, prescription medication were found in the rear console of the car, as well as an empty prescription bottle. The name of the person on the prescription label was torn off. A container of a white powdery substance was found on the car's front passenger seat. Police vouchered it for possible future testing by a forensic lab. It was not opened because of safety precautions. Ogden was taken to headquarters and arrested on the following charges: criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal diversion of prescription medication and unlawful possession of marijuana. Ogden was released on $100 cash bail, posted by a friend, and issued an appearance ticket for Scarsdale Village Justice Court, returnable on Aug. 23.
Car break-in
A Croton-on-Hudson's man's 2008 Volvo was broken into on Brook Lane, and the owner's wallet was stolen from under the driver's seat Aug. 20. The front driver's side window was also found smashed. The incident occurred between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., while the owner was playing tennis nearby. The wallet contained $150 cash and six credit cards.
Identity theft
On Aug. 15, a Spier Road woman told police she noticed money was missing from her joint bank account shared with her husband. Upon further investigation, she determined an unknown person forged a check and cashed it against the account on July 31. The woman's husband's name was spelled incorrectly on the forged check. The check number on the fraudulent check also belongs to a legitimate check that the woman had in her possession, in her checkbook. Additionally, on Aug. 7, the woman received a bill from FedEx for a package shipped from Connecticut to Virginia. The recipient's name on the FedEx shipping label was the same name used by the person cashing the check. FedEx cancelled the invoice, and the woman's bank cancelled her checking account.
On Aug. 18, a Saxon Woods Road man reported he was at his new Rural Drive house, which is under construction, and there he saw a FedEx driver hand two packages to a man standing in front of the construction site. The man was described as a black man, approximately 6 feet tall, in his late teens, with an Afro hairstyle. The man then approached the teen and asked if the packages were deliveries for his house under construction. The teen said the packages were instead for the house "next door." The teen walked away, got into a Lincoln Town Car and drove off. Alarmed by the incident, the man checked his bank and credit accounts. He discovered eight unauthorized charges on his American Express card online at Saks.com between Aug. 8-15. He called American Express and Saks and informed representatives about the fraudulent transactions. A representative from Saks said that six transactions were pending, and two had already been completed for "biker slim fit jeans." The pending transactions were cancelled. Police noticed surveillance cameras at a neighbor's house and asked to review them. The IP address of the computer used to make the online order was located in the Bronx.
Criminal mischief
An outdoor lamp fixture was vandalized at a Franklin Road house at approximately 2:40 a.m., Aug. 18, according to the homeowner. A camera captured a recorded image of a white SUV stopping in front of the house. Then, it showed a white male getting out of the passenger seat, walking to the walkway light and pulling it out of the ground. The male is then seen getting back into the car, and the car drives off. Police are following up.
Domestic matter
A woman stated her brother took her car keys and would not give them back Aug. 20. The brother said he took the keys because he felt his sister was too intoxicated to drive. The sister said her car was equipped with an ignition interlock device due to a previous DWI conviction. The brother returned the keys to the sister and left the house for the evening.
Suspicious
While on routine patrol, police noticed a white man, approximately in his 20s, standing outside on Mayflower Road at 3 a.m., Aug. 15. The man was described as wearing a light colored hoodie and shorts. Due to the early morning hour and the fact that it was raining heavily, police determined it was suspicious. While police were turning their patrol car around to approach the man, the man walked between houses and disappeared through backyards. Police conducted a search for the man but did not find him.
Open doors
A River Road woman woke up from an afternoon nap and found her front door open Aug. 17. She called police. When police arrived at the house, no sign of criminality was discovered. The woman then remembered that her husband had previously told her he would be taking some recyclables to a collection facility. She and patrol deduced that her husband might have eft the door open. Patrol tried to reach the husband but was unable to do so. The woman said she would talk to her husband and call police again if her husband had not left the door open.
On Aug. 18, a Windsor Lane woman reported her power was out, and her garage door would not shut. Patrol assisted the woman with closing the garage door.
A door was found open at a Black Birch Lane house for sale Aug. 19. Patrol closed and secured the door after determined everything was in good order.
Construction site
A father complained that his four-year-old son ran into an unsecured construction site on Tunstall Road Aug. 17. The father felt this was dangerous and suggested that the site be secured with fencing. Patrol left a message for the Village engineer.
Canister
A Bell Road resident complained about a "propane tank" in front of his house Aug. 17. On scene, patrol determined the suspected propane tank was actually an empty helium canister, such as the kind used to inflate balloons. It had been discarded for sanitation pickup.
Footsteps
A Cohawney Road resident reported hearing footsteps in his hose at 7 p.m., Aug. 17. He was concerned a possible intruder was in the house. Police investigated the house and found no signs of criminality. Given the lack of evidence and the fact that the resident's mother had left the house shortly before the resident heard the noises, police believed the footsteps were caused by the mother leaving the house.
Keys
Police from Darien, Connecticut, contacted Scarsdale police because keys belonging to a Scarsdale resident's car were in a car stolen out of Darien Aug. 19. Police noticed the Scarsdale resident's car was parked in its driveway. Police attempted to contact the Scarsdale resident, but the resident will be out of town until mid September. Extra ridebys of the house will be performed.
Police helped a caller retrieve a set of keys that had fallen into a storm drain at Fox Meadow and Fenimore roads Aug. 20.
Bag
A caller said she could not get into her parked car on Harwood Court because a large black bag was blocking the door Aug. 19. The caller did not want to touch the bag. Patrol arrived and examined the bag. It contained real estate items belonging to a Chas Road real estate office. Patrol reunited the bag with its owner, and the caller was able to gain access to her car.
Screams
A Sprague Road caller reported hearing two loud and "unsettling" screams coming from the house behind his house at 7:37 p.m., Aug. 20. Patrol went to the house where the screams were suspected of originating. A woman who lived there said she was responsible for the screams. She had been watching "Game of Thrones" and screamed during a scary part of the show, she told police.
Help
A caller saw a possibly disoriented woman wearing heavy clothing walking on the active roadway of the Hutchinson River Parkway Aug. 19. The caller and his wife picked up the woman and brought her to Saxon Woods Grill and called police. Patrol and Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps responded to evaluate the woman. She refused to get out of the caller's car to be evaluated by paramedics. The caller offered to drive her to White Plains Hospital Center. Police accompanied the woman to the hospital and contacted a family member to respond to the hospital and assist the woman.
Cars and roadways
A caller complained there was a "sharp piece of road" on Heacthote Road near Duck Pond Road Aug. 14. The caller felt it was dangerous and warning signs should be erected. Police examined the road and noticed a one-inch drop in the road. However, the road had been designed that way and nothing seemed out of the ordinary or dangerous. The highway department is following up.
A driver with a flat tire parked the car in the Quaker Ridge parking lot to change the tire at 1:45 a.m., Aug. 15.
Police arranged a tow for a car leaking gasoline on Butler Road Aug. 16.
A disabled car was towed from Post Road Aug. 16.
The highway department removed a fallen tree from Saxon Woods Road Aug. 18.
Patrol notified Verizon about a fallen wire, brought down by a fallen private tree, on Brown Road Aug. 18.
Police removed a fallen branch from Fenimore Road Aug. 19.
Police removed a fallen wire from Palmer Avenue Aug. 19.
A caller reported an older model red Mustang with blue panels around the rear wheels sped down Bradford Road and left skid marks Aug. 19. Patrol observed the skid marks and canvassed the area for the car. They were unable to find it.
Police called a tow truck for a motorcycle that had broken down on Fox Meadow Road Aug. 20.
Five car accidents were reported in the village this week.
Animals
Police reunited a lost white dog, found on Ridgecrest West, and its owner Aug. 16.
Police issued four warnings to residents walking dogs at the perimeter of Davis Park Aug. 17. One woman, whose dog was walking at a distance of approximately one foot inside the grass park perimeter complained about the warning. She asked patrol, "Is this a joke?" Patrol advised her it was village code, and she could be summonsed for it. Patrol advised her she could walk her dog on the sidewalk but not on the grass of the park. She said the rule was "ridiculous nonsense" and asked to whom she could complain. Patrol referred her to Village Hall.
An injured hawk was removed from Fox Meadow Road Aug. 18. Patrol contacted a wildlife rehabilitator who picked up the hawk.
Village code
Police issued summonses to landscapers using gas-powered leaf blowers on Tunstall Road and Hickory Lane Aug. 16.
Police warned construction workers of village code regarding allowed hours for weekend work Aug. 19.
Car fire
Firefighters extinguished a car fire on the Hutchinson River Parkway Aug. 16. New Rochelle fire department assisted.
Firefighters
Firefighters checked a gas line after a tree fell on it on Brewster Road Aug 14. No obvious odors or leaks were found. The homeowner was advised to stand by for Con Edison.
Firefighters cleaned up spilled gasoline from Butler Road Aug. 16.
A contractor damaged a gas line on Walworth Avenue Aug. 17. Firefighters assisted Con Edison in checking houses fro possible gas exposure.
This week, firefighters assisted at two car accidents in the village and on parkways. They responded to twelve false fire alarms caused by device malfunction, construction dust, shower steam and cooking smoke.
This report covering police and fire department activity from Aug. 14-20 has been compiled from official information.
This police report is sponsored by Scarsdale Security who does more than just security. Contact them about remote video for your home or business. Call 914-722-2200 or visit their website.
Police Report: Tuckahoe Man Sentenced for Shooting Medical School Dean, Drunk Driver Arrested, Bike and iPhone Stolen and more
- Details
- Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig
- Hits: 6249
This in from the Westchester County District Attorney's Office: On August 9th Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced that Hengjun Chao (DOB 12/07/66) of 141 Main Street, Tuckahoe, New York was sentenced by Judge Barry Warhit to twenty-eight years in state prison after being found guilty by a jury of:
-one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a class "B" Felony,
-one count of Criminal Use of a Firearm in the First Degree, a class "B" Felony,
-one count of Assault in the First Degree, a class "B" Felony
in the shooting of Dr. Dennis Charney.
On August 29, 2016 at approximately 7:56 a.m., the defendant was parked in the Walgreen's parking lot on King Street in Chappaqua. He was waiting for the victim to exit Lange's Deli. Video surveillance evidence showed the defendant had stalked the victim for several days prior to the shooting.
When the victim left the deli, the defendant retrieved a loaded shotgun from the trunk of his car. He walked towards the victim, took aim and fired one shot, hitting him in the shoulder and chest area. The defendant remained there and was subsequently arrested by New Castle Police officers. The victim was removed by ambulance and was hospitalized for five days.
Subsequent to his arrest, the defendant stated to police that he was the one who shot the victim. The defendant was a research assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He was fired in May 2009 by a committee that included Dr. Charney. The victim is the dean of the medical school.
DWI
At 2:30 a.m. August 6, Javier Contreras, 26, of New Rochelle, was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), aggravated DWI with a blood alcohol level of .18 or more with no previous violations and moving from a lane unsafely. While conducting traffic enforcement on Post Road, police noticed Contreras's 2012 Jeep Wrangler swerve and hit the curb. Patrol subsequently conducted a traffic stop. Contreras told police he had consumed several beers a few hours earlier at a bar in Mamaroneck. Contreras displayed physical signs of intoxication and failed field sobriety tests. An alco-sensor screening test revealed a blood alcohol reading of .17. Contreras was then arrested and taken to headquarters. There, a Datamaster test measured Contreras's blood alcohol level at .21. Contreras was released to his mother with an appearance ticket for August 9. His car was secured in the parking lot of Scarsdale High School.
Stolen in Edgewood
On August 2, a Bradley Road woman reported her 7-year-old son's $300 orange Diamondback bike was stolen from Davis Park. The theft occurred between 8:30 p.m. and 8:50 p.m., August 1, while her son was playing on the playground. She was with him at the time. When mother and son arrived at the playground, they parked the son's bike near two other bikes. When mother and son wanted to leave the playground, the son's bike was gone. However, the other two bicycles were there, as well as the children who owned those bicycles.
On August 5, a Post Road man reported his 13-year-old son's black iPhone 6 was stolen from the sideline of the basketball courts at Hyatt Field while the son was playing basketball. Three teenagers were sitting on a bench near the iPhone when the boy placed it there. Approximately 10 minutes later, the boy looked over to where he had placed his phone and noticed it was gone. At that time, he also noticed that the three teens were also gone. Police are following up.
Car break-in
A man from Texas reported that his parked 2015 Dodge Journey was broken into on Greenacres Avenue, and his wife's black Coach brand purse was stolen from under the front passenger seat August 6. He said he parked the car there around 2 p.m. to take a walk with his family on the bike path while visiting from Texas. When he returned to the car around 3:40 p.m. and noticed the driver's front window smashed. The stolen purse contained approximately $300 cash and assorted personal papers. Credit card companies were called and the wife's stolen credit cards were cancelled.
Identity theft
On August 1, a Fox Meadow Road man reported a fraudulent Sprint account was opened using his Social Security number and address. The email address associated with the account was not the same as the man's personal email account. The account had accumulated unpaid charges and the man received a collection letter about them. At that time, he contacted Sprint and reported the account as fraudulent. He was advised to file a police report and inform the three major credit reporting bureaus.
On August 3, an Ardmore Road woman reported that an unauthorized person cashed a fraudulent Citibank check in her name. Citibank informed her of the incident and closed her account.
On August 4, a Boulder Brook Road woman noticed a large sum of money missing from her Bank of America checking account. She looked into the matter and learned someone cashed two fraudulent checks in her name. The checks were made out to an unknown woman. The Boulder Brook Road woman reported the matter to her bank and police. Police confirmed that the checks were counterfeit, as the woman still had the original checks, bearing the same numbers as the fraudulent checks, in her checkbook.
D.O.A
Mollie Dreyer, 97, of Mamaroneck Road, died at home August 3.
Domestic matters
An Edgewood woman called police, asking for assistance in removing her adult son from her house July 31. When police arrived, the son was sitting on a chair on the woman's front porch. The mother said her son was not welcome at her house. She said he showed up at her house from an unknown location and asked to use the family car. The mother did not open the door, and she did not allow her son to use the family car. Patrol asked the son if he needed any medical assistance, and he declined. He voluntarily left the area via taxi. Patrol discussed their limitations in the legal ability to remove an occupant from a private dwelling, in circumstances such as the present matter.
A Quaker Ridge woman asked police to stand by while she and her son removed personal belongings from their house, which was occupied by the woman's husband July 31.
Police accompanied a Heathcote woman into her house to retrieve personal clothing as per a court order August 2. The woman and patrol were accompanied by the woman's female friend. An amended Order of Protection was attached to documents already secured at police headquarters. The woman was advised to abide by court orders and to communicate with her attorney regarding any other matters pertaining to the incident. According to the police log, police determined it was reasonable for the woman's friend to accompany patrol into the house due to the woman's "recent encounter with patrol whereby inappropriate sexual remarks were made."
Arrest on warrant
On August 4, Marquisiah Williams, 36, of Elmsford, surrendered on the strength of an active bench warrant issued out of Scarsdale Village Justice Court on November 14, 2014. She was released on her own recognizance, with an appearance ticket for August 8.
Assistance
A resident of The Ambassador, an assisted living community on Saxon Woods Road, called police at 3 a.m., August 1. She said she needed help getting up from her bed. Patrol notified Ambassador staff, who said the woman was already being helped by nurses and a lift assist was not necessary.
Patrol checked the welfare of a Popham Road woman and confirmed everything was OK with her August 3.
An off-duty White Plains police officer informed Scarsdale police that an Alzheimer's patient, known to WPPD, was seen walking south on Post Road, near the White Plains border August 3. Patrol found the man near the intersection of Farley and Brewster roads. The man identified himself, could converse with patrol and seemed to be in a clear state of mind at the time. He said he was out for a walk, as recommended by his doctor.
Open door
A house sitter found a Brewster Road house with the front door ajar August 1. She asked patrol to check the house, and patrol confirmed everything was in good order. The house was secured.
Wallets
A caller reported seeing the contents of a wallet strewn about the water located next to the Bronx River Parkway footpath, south of the county tennis courts, August 1. Police notified Westchester County police.
New Rochelle police asked Scarsdale police to contact a Jefferson Road resident who had left her wallet at a Starbucks in New Rochelle August 3. Patrol assisted the woman in making contact with New Rochelle police and a transfer of the wallet was arranged.
Basketball hoop
A Tompkins Road resident asked patrol to check her broken basketball backboard August 2. Patrol observed webbed cracking throughout the entire surface of the backboard. Patrol could not determine a point of impact, since the entire backboard was affected, and all cracks were small in nature. It did not appear to patrol as if the backboard had been struck by a tool or object in a criminal manner. Patrol observed more extensive damage behind the breakaway rim and asked if anyone had dunked on the rim recently. The resident said, "No." The resident said the damage happened on July 30, and she had already reviewed video surveillance of the basketball hoop to determine if anyone had been nearby it. No one was seen on the video footage, according to the resident. Patrol suggested the damage was possibly a combination of wear-and-tear, age and weather conditions. The resident said the basketball hoop was over 10 years old and she just wanted patrol to check it before contacting the manufacturer about warranty information.
Keys
Keys to a Depot Place business were found stuck in the door lock at 2:30 a.m., August 3. The business owner was notified and said he would respond when the business opened at 5 a.m. Patrol monitored the area in the meantime.
Parking summons
A Webster Road woman received a letter from the NYC Finance Department informing her that a parking summons was issued to her registration on July 12, 2017, with a $0 balance. The incident allegedly occurred in Brooklyn. The woman wanted police to document the matter since the woman claimed she was "never in Brooklyn." Patrol advised her to contact the DMV and NYC Department of Finance for further information and follow-up.
Wrong stop
A 16-year-old girl got off the Metro North train at the wrong stop at 2:49 a.m., August 6. She went to Scarsdale Taxi stand and called police. She said she was a resident of Cedar Knolls, Hawthorne. Patrol met up with the girl at the Central Taxi depot. Patrol helped her contact an adult who came to Scarsdale to pick up the girl and drive her home. Patrol stood by until the girl was safely picked up.
Suspicious shoppers
An employee at the LF Store on Boniface Circle reported three women "were acting suspicious" in the store August 6. She said while one woman walked around the store with handfuls of clothing, another woman went outside to their car. When that woman came back inside the store, the third woman went outside and walked to the their car. Eventually, all three of the women were back in the store. They only purchased one item, combined, before they left. The employee said they left the scene in a silver Mazda 6 with NY license plates. After the women left, another employee said she thought one of the women looked like someone who had stolen merchandise from the store in the past. Patrol advised the employees to check security cameras to determine if any merchandise had been stolen from the store.
Scofflaw
On August 2, police saw a car with an active scofflaw status parked on Scarsdale Avenue. The car's owner, a Garth Road resident, had accumulated unpaid parking tickets amounting to $365. He also was parking in a permit only area without a permit. The car – a 2017 white Subaru Outback – was towed to the police impound lot.
Cars and roadways
A Birchall Drive resident complained that a neighbor was having a driveway paved and that construction trucks were blocking the resident's driveway July 31. Patrol observed the situation and noted that trucks were parked approximately 15 feet away from the resident's driveway. The job foreman reported work would be done within one to two hours. As a courtesy, the foreman moved the trucks an additional ten feet away from the resident's driveway.
A car trunk was inadvertently left open in a Whig Road driveway. Patrol noticed it at 3 a.m., August 1, and informed the homeowner.
Patrol notified the highway department about an abandoned tire left on the side of Post Road, for removal, August 1.
Illegally parked cars on Freightway Road were issued summonses August 1.
A caller reported a private car parked by his driveway on August 3 and 4. He asked police to check it out. Patrol spoke to the driver of the car and learned the driver was an employee of a security company, engaged by Con Edison to monitor an open transformer on Popham Road. The driver moved his car away from the caller's driveway but said he needed to stay in the area until the transformer could be repaired.
A concerned caller reported seeing a motorcycle cruising around Sage Terrace and Putnam Road, with two child passengers who were allegedly not wearing helmets August 5. Patrol searched the area for the motorcyclist and kids but did not find them.
Patrol removed a fallen branch from Post Road August 5.
Con Edison cleared a fallen tree from wires and the roadway on Richbell Road August 6.
A caller reported an aggressive driver cut her off and shouted at her at the intersection of Post and Heathcote roads August 6. The driver was allegedly driving a black Mercedes Benz sedan with a NY license plate containing the letters HNW. Patrol checked the area but did not find the car.
Patrol saw a driver throw a cigarette butt onto the roadway at the intersection of Claremont Road and Walworth Avenue August 6. Patrol issued a summons for littering.
Seven car accidents were reported in the village this week.
Animals
Patrol contacted the highway department to remove a dead skunk from Mercer Court August 1.
A Fox Meadow Road dog got loose from a dog walker and ended up on Paddington Road August 1. Police reunited the dog and the dog walker. The dog walker was advised to keep better control of the dog and issued a verbal warning.
A loose tan-colored dog was found on Popham Road at 1 p.m., August 2. The owner was contacted and informed patrol she could not pick up the dog until after 6 p.m. New Rochelle Humane Society then picked up the dog and took custody of it, pending pickup from the owner. A summons was mailed to the owner.
Patrol assisted in returning a loose Park Road dog to its owner August 3.
A caller reported three dogs ran after him and chased him the parking lot of Balducci's market August 5. He believes the dogs came from a Secor Road address. Patrol canvassed the area for the dogs but could not find them.
After a neighbor complained of noise, a Crest Lane dog owner brought the dogs inside August 6.
Civil matter
A painter called police for assistance in resolving a verbal altercation with the resident of a Copper Beech Lane house August 3. The painter said he had finished painting the resident's ceiling and was expected $500 payment, as per a verbal agreement. The resident said she believed the painter might have broken a thermostat in the house and therefore was hesitant to pay the painter at that time. She called her husband and gave the phone to patrol. After some time, the husband agreed to pay the painter a portion of the money. He said he wanted to investigate why the thermostat was not working properly before remitting the total payment to the painter. Patrol reminded all parties that their dispute was civil in nature.
Village code
After neighbors complained of noise, police advised a Willow Road resident to be mindful of noise. The resident agreed.
A Penn Boulevard resident was advised to lower the volume of party music August 4.
Lost and found
A passerby found a wallet at Secor and Wynmor roads and gave it to police July 31. After several unsuccessful attempts to contact the Mamaroneck Road owner, police vouchered the wallet at headquarters for safekeeping.
On July 31, a Brewster Road woman reported losing her driver's license somewhere in the village on or around July 24.
Two HSBC credit cards were found on Walworth Avenue August 1. The person who found them gave them to police.
On August 4, a woman reported losing her car's registration card somewhere on Chase Road.
A set of keys, containing an Audi car key, was found on East Parkway near Christie Place August 5.
A Cohawney Road woman reported losing her driver's license in White Plains August 6.
Firefighters
An electrical transformer exploded on a utility pole on Carman Road August 2. Some houses lost power. Firefighters stood by for Con Edison.
A reported possible gas odor in a Brown Road house was caused by an outdoor skunk spray August 3.
A smoke odor on Palmer Avenue was caused by a legal outdoor fire pit on Lawrence Road August 3.
A Park Road gas dryer was emitting carbon monoxide and gas August 4. Firefighters shut down the washer and dryer, ventilated and stood by for Con Edison.
A barbecue grill gas line malfunctioned and could not be turned off at a Farley Road house August 4. Firefighters disconnected the gas supply and advised the homeowner to have the grill serviced before using it again.
This week, firefighters assisted at four car accidents in the village and on parkways. They responded to 16 false carbon monoxide and fire alarms, caused by device malfunction, construction dust, cooking smoke, shower steam and low battery.
This report has been 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.
