Police Report: Car Break-ins Target Griffen Avenue and Brittany Close
- Details
- Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig
- Hits: 5404
A man's wallet was stolen out of his unlocked parked car at Quaker Ridge Golf Club on Griffen Avenue March 9.
On March 10, a Brittany Close resident reported someone entered two unlocked cars parked in her driveway and stole a garage door opener from one of them. The resident noticed the glove compartments were open in the cars, and items had been removed and placed on the front seats. One car was a white Mercedes-Benz, and the other car was a black Cadillac Escalade. According to video footage that captured the incident, two men parked outside the resident's house in a white Mercedes-Benz around 6:15 a.m. The men were wearing hoodies and sneakers. They are captured on video, as they got out of their car and approached and entered the resident's cars.
Identity theft
On March 7, a Black Birch Lane man reported someone withdrew fund from his business account by presenting 10 bogus checks. The checks varied in amounts ranging from $1,740.53 to $2,340.78. The man stated he wrote a check to a stationery vendor for $121.99, but that check never reached its destination. The counterfeit checks followed the missing check in their sequence numbers.
On March 9, a Greenacres Avenue man reported fraudulent credit card accounts were opened in his name. The man said he was in the process of acquiring necessary documents and would be out of town for a week. Police advised him to notify the credit reporting bureaus and review his credit report as soon as possible.
Postal fraud
A Brite Avenue man reported someone fraudulently placed a postal hold on his mail March 11. It was done in person by a third party.
Domestic matter
On March 10, a Quaker Ridge mother and her adult daughter were arguing over a "banking matter." The daughter called police for assistance. On scene, police talked to both parties, each of whom calmed down and assured police the argument was over.
Phone scam
A Clarence Road resident reported someone called her, alleging to be an Internal Revenue Service agent March 8. She hung up the phone, suspecting it was a scam. She reported it to police.
Doorbell
On March 6, a Colvin Road resident reported two to three teenagers were ringing her doorbell around 6 p.m. By the time the resident answered the door, the teens were observed walking down the road. One was described as wearing a knit hat and a black jacket.
Light
On March 9, a Haverford Road man complained he thought the street had inadequate lighting. He alleged that the darkness on the street contributed to a burglary attempt in December. Patrol checked the street and determined no lights in the area were out.
Suspicious visit
On March 10, a Berwick Road woman reported a man entered her house, claiming to be there on Village business and took pictures of her house. She was alarmed because Village Hall claimed no one was out on assignment to take pictures of her house. According to a worker who let the man into the woman's house, the man arrived in a newer model minivan. He advised he needed to check for an underground oil storage tank and wanted to see the basement. The worker accompanied the man into the basement, where the man took several photos of the boiler room and its exterior walls. The man then allegedly walked around the perimeter of the house with a metal detector, searching for a buried tank. Based on descriptions of the man's actions in the house, it was determined that the man was there on possibly legitimate business, just mistakenly at the wrong house. Patrol spoke to a neighbor with surveillance cameras and requested that the video footage be preserved for future follow-up.
Drone
On March 11, two men inadvertently flew a drone into a Park Road backyard. The men rang the homeowner's doorbell, asking to retrieve the drone. The homeowner called police. Patrol escorted the two men into the backyard so they could retrieve the drone.
Scofflaw
Police identified a car parked on Chase Road that had accumulated $620 in unpaid parking fines March 9. The driver was informed to settle the matter in Village Justice Court as soon as possible.
Cars and roadways
A woman called police at 7:30 p.m., March 7, because she was concerned her husband might have been drinking vodka before he got into his 2004 Jaguar to drive to a location in Scarsdale or White Plains. Police checked out the husband's possible destinations but did not find hm. At 8:15 p.m., the woman called police to say her husband had returned home without incident.
A caller reported a "dead rat" on a Rochambeau Road sidewalk March 8. Police informed the highway department.
The highway department was informed about a large pothole on Garth Road in need of repair March 8.
Parked cars were obstructing traffic flow on Garden Road March 8. Patrol asked drivers to move their cars to correct the situation.
A person sitting in a car parked on Rock Creek Lane was determined to be an investigator on an assignment March 8.
Parked cars were obstructing traffic flow on Cohawney Road March 8. Patrol asked driver to move their cars.
A caller reported an erratic driver in a gray Infiniti almost hit her and her children in a stroller while they were standing on the corner of Post and Popham roads March 9.
Patrol called a tow truck for a car with a flat tire on Bypass March 9.
Patrol removed debris from Post Road March 10.
An unknown car reportedly drove into a Park Road driveway March 11. Police determined the driver was a food delivery person who mistakenly went to the wrong address.
Ten car accidents were reported in the village this week.
Civil matter
On March 8, a Claremont Road woman complained that her neighbor's tree contractor was dumping debris on her yard. After police arrived on scene, the contractor offered to "fix any grass which was misplaced during [the] work."
On March 9, patrol helped settle a verbal dispute between a Sage terrace resident and a property surveyor who was working on the property and who had allegedly been "rude."
Firefighters
Firefighters forced open the elevator in the Christie Place parking garage to release a person accidentally trapped inside March 6. The elevator was placed out of service and appropriate service providers were contacted.
Construction workers made a small, outdoor fire on Manor Lane March 6. They said they were burning scrap wood to keep warm. Firefighters extinguished the fire, and the fire inspector issued the workers a warning.
Firefighters made entry into a Nelson Road house to let a locked-out homeowner back inside March 6. Police were on scene to verify the homeowner's identity.
Firefighters shut off leaking water from a broken pipe at a Cooper Road house March 6. Police secured the front door upon leaving.
Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of a gas leak on Meadow Road March 6.
A Lebanon Road house was registering elevated carbon monoxide levels March 8. Firefighters stood by for Con Edison. A fault cooktop was identified.
A fire started in the chimney of a wood-burning stove in a Herkimer Road house March 8. Firefighters put out the fire and identified several safety hazards. They recommended servicing the stove.
A dumpster was on fire at a Kelwynne Road house March 9. Firefighters extinguished it and tipped over the dumpster to overhaul its contents. The cause of the fire was undetermined, but it was not deemed to be suspicious.
This week, firefighters assisted at seven car accidents in the village and on parkways. They responded to 15 false fire alarms, caused by device malfunction, carpet installation, dust, cooking smoke, burnt food, steam and accidental manual activation.
This report covering police and fire department activity from March 6-12 was compiled from official information.
This police report is sponsored by Scarsdale Security who does more than just security. Contact them about remote video for your home or business. Call 914-722-2200 or visit their website.
Police Report: Black Birch Lane House Fire, Stolen Car and Foot Chase, Fake Driver's License
- Details
- Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig
- Hits: 7566
Fire destroys Black Birch Lane house: A Hillair Circle resident saw flames coming from an unoccupied Black Birch Lane house at 4:30 a.m. on March 5th and called 911. White Plains police notified authorities in Scarsdale, and firefighters sand police rushed to the scene. They immediately saw fire coming from the rear and roof of the wood-frame house. White Plains firefighters assisted in knocking down the fire with hose lines and extinguishing it. Firefighters attempted to make contact with possible occupants. The house appeared to be empty as it was vacant of furniture. It was too fully engulfed in flames to attempt entry. Firefighters evacuated neighbors from nearby houses and learned the house was unoccupied during a renovation. Hartsdale, Greenville, Fairview and New Rochelle fire departments assisted. Off-duty career firefighters from Scarsdale, volunteer firefighters, Con Edison, Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps and police assisted as needed. At 5:45 a.m., mutual aide was released. Scarsdale firefighters continued to overhaul the structure.
Several attempts were made to notify the homeowner. The property was condemned by the building department. A valid building department was on file with the village. It was issued on Nov. 29, 2016, with an expiration date of Nov. 29, 2018.
Suspect flees from stolen car, claiming he "stole it back" for owner
On Feb. 28, a call about an abandoned car on Post Road led to an arrest of a New Rochelle man charged with four-degree criminal possession of a vehicle. At approximately 12:30 p.m., police arrived at the corner of Post and Dickel Roads, where they saw a parked 2001 Hyundai Elantra. While approaching the car, the license plate reader sounded an alert indicating a stolen car. Officers confirmed this information and learned the car had been reported as stolen out of Mount Vernon on Feb. 27. Patrol approached the car to investigate further. It was unoccupied, turned off, with the key in the ignition. A Post-it note was attached to the driver's side window, stating "out of gas brb." Shortly thereafter, the driver – Andre Reid, 27, of New Rochelle – returned to the car carrying two gas cans and a funnel. Police asked him if the car was his, and Reid quickly replied, "Yes." Police asked what happened, and Reid then said the car was not his. He alleged he was "watching it for a friend." Police asked Reid for an ID, but Reid said he could not provide one. He offered to fetch his ID and bring it back to show police. Police asked Reid to turn and face the police car, but Reid "suddenly took off." Patrol shouted several times for Reid to stop, but Reid kept running. Two officers chased Reid down Post Road, behind an apartment building, back across Post Road, down Farley Road, over a stonewall and through back yards of White Plains residents. Assisting units continued to look for Reid and a foot pursuit concluded on Walton Avenue in White Plains, where detectives took Reid into custody. At headquarters, Reid provided information about himself that prompted police to call Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps to take Reid to White Plains Hospital Center. An officer accompanied Reid to the hospital in the ambulance, and another officer in a patrol car followed behind.
The stolen car was processed on the scene and towed to the police impound lot. While police were searching the car, they found a check made out to another man. The check was photographed and vouchered as evidence.
At approximately 9 p.m., Reid was discharged from WPHC and brought back to headquarters. There, he told police that the car belonged to his uncle and had been stolen by one of his friends. Reid said he noticed the car last night and stole it back from his friend to return it to his uncle. He said he drove the stolen car to get to White Plains on Feb. 28, but the car ran out of gas.
Reid said the check in the car belonged to his friend who initially stole the car, "so he stole the check as well."
The district attorney's office was consulted. Bail of $15,000 was recommended. At 10 p.m., Reid was arraigned in Scarsdale Village Justice Court. Bail was set at $20,000 and a return court date was set for March 1. Unable to post bail, Reid was taken to Westchester County Jail.
Man arrested for fake driver's license
Abner C. Garcia-Gonzalez, 29, of Monsey, NY, was charged with second-degree possession of a forged instrument March 2. The arrest was the result of an incident that occurred on Feb. 7, during which Garcia-Gonzalez presented police with a fake Maryland driver's license during a traffic stop for speeding on Post Road. Visual analysis of the license and follow-up with Maryland's Department of Motor Vehicles confirmed the license was fake. Sometime after Feb. 24, police called Garcia-Gonzalez to initially advise him of their investigation. He was asked to come to headquarters to straighten out the irregularities with his license. He was read his Miranda Rights, and then told police if their questioning was about his driver's license, "his boss" told him he should have a lawyer present. Patrol asked him again if he wanted to talk, and he said, "I want to talk to a lawyer." At that point, all questioning was stopped and Garcia-Gonzalez was advised to return with his lawyer. The district attorney's office was consulted and an arrest warrant was issued based on the evidence provided. Garcia-Gonzalez returned with his lawyer on March 2 for arraignment. He was released on $100 bail, and it was stipulated that he must surrender his passport by March 3.
DWI arrest
On March 4, police arrested Felix A. Bisono, 38, of Yonkers, on charges of driving 
while intoxicated (first offense), speeding in zone and refusal to take a breath test. Bisono attracted police attention when his 2014 Acura sped past a speed patrol on Post Road at approximately 10:45 p.m. Bisono was clocked by radar at 63 mph. Police performed a traffic stop at Post and Rugby Roads. While talking to Bisono, police noticed a strong odor of alcohol on Bisono's breath. Bisono said he was coming from Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains. He alleged he "did not have anything to drink; I'm driving." Bisono failed field sobriety tests. He refused to submit to an alco-sensor pre-screening test or a Datamaster test to measure his blood alcohol level. He was taken to headquarters and arrested. His car was impounded. He was released to a friend on $250 cash bail.
Stolen jewelry
An Aspen Road woman reported a few small bowls containing jewelry had gone missing from her house March 2. The bowls and jewelry allegedly disappeared while a plumber and a plumber's assistant were working in the house. The woman said she called the plumber to retrieve a pendant that had been accidentally dropped down her bathroom sink. After the pendant was retrieved, the assistant allegedly asked the woman what she was going to do with it. The woman said she answered him by motioning to the adjacent bedroom and stating she would put it away later. While the plumber was still in the bathroom, the woman asked him some questions about the shower. During this time, the woman claims to have "turned her back on the assistant." After realizing some bowls of jewelry were missing from her dresser the next morning, the woman called police.
Car break-in
A small blue purse containing a black wallet was stolen from a parked car on Sage Terrace at approximately 5:30 p.m., Feb. 28. The car was parked for approximately five minutes while the driver went to a nearby house to pick up her son. The purse was left in the unlocked car. The wallet contained credit cards, an insurance card, a driver's license, reading glasses, rosary beads and $20 cash. The driver said she saw a group of kids walking on the street, near to where her car had been parked, but she could not provide a description.
Identity theft
A Cooper Road man reported someone opened a fraudulent Vanguard brokerage account in his name March 1. Vanguard was notified, will put the account on hold and investigate. According to the police, the man was the victim of a similar incident in January. Approximately one year ago, the man's company experienced a security breach, and employee information was compromised.
Harassment
On March 2, a Fox Meadow woman reported being harassed by a man with whom she specified, in December, she no longer wanted to have any contact. The man was told by police, at that time, to refrain from contacting the woman, and he said he understood. On Feb. 27, the woman received an email at work from the man. In the email, the man claims to be in the same industry and is requesting services from the woman's company. The man, in fact, is unemployed and the information in the email appears to have been copied from the woman's company's website. The email had originally been sent on Jan. 18, but it ended up in a spam folder. It was released to the woman and her supervisor on Feb. 27. The woman emphasized she did not want the man to contact her. Patrol left the man a voicemail. At approximately 8 p.m., the man appeared at headquarters. Patrol informed the man that the woman does not want any contact with him. He said he understood.
Threat
A Greenacres Avenue man reported that a contractor from a fireplace company threatened him during an argument over the phone March 2. While patrol was gathering information about the incident, the man received an email from the company's manager. The manager apologized for the interaction and promised to refund the entire amount owed for the cancelled order. The man said he was satisfied with the result and did not need any further assistance.
Assistance
Police provided traffic control on Weaver Street while pedestrians were being evacuated from the Jewish Community Center on Wilmot Road Feb. 27.
Police and Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps helped a man having a panic attack on a Metro North train Feb. 27. The man was taken to White Plains Hospital Center for treatment.
Visitor?
A Fox Meadow Road woman called police to report an elderly woman had wandered into her house Feb. 27. The elderly woman was described as approximately 80 years old, with bleached blond hair and a heavy French accent. The Fox Meadow Road woman asked the elderly woman her name, and she said, "My name will come to you." The elderly woman then asked how the woman and her son were doing. The elderly woman then allegedly left the house and left in a gray compact sedan. The woman asked police to check on her house because she lives alone.
Banging noise
A Vernon Road resident reported a banging noise at her house at 9 p.m., March 1. She requested that patrol check the house. Patrol found a large glass windowpane had fallen to the ground from the house's side porch. Further inspection suggested that the clasps holding the windowpane in place had broken, causing the window to fall. There were no signs of criminality.
Dismissal
A man called 911 to report a Mamaroneck Road school was not releasing his daughter at 2:49 p.m., March 3. Patrol spoke with school officials who stated the man was not following the school's dismissal procedures. No further police intervention was necessary.
2:30 a.m
A Brookby Road caller reported a black Toyota Sienna parked in front of his house with hazard lights flashing around 2:30 a.m., March 5. Patrol spoke with the driver who said he had just dropped off a friend on a nearby street and stopped to enter a destination in his GPS. Police determined there was nothing suspicious.
The doorbell of a Windward Lane house was sounding off and on around 3:15 a.m., March 5. Police determined the doorbell was malfunctioning and applied a temporary solution. The homeowner said he would call a technician the next morning to have the bell fixed.
Pipes
A Brite Avenue homeowner reported running water from her backyard faucet March 5. Patrol saw no signs of criminality and advised her to contact a plumber to address what might be a problem with the pipes.
Cars and roadways
On Feb. 27, police issued a summons to the owner of an illegally parked car on Circle Road.
Parked cars were facing the wrong direction on Claremont Road Feb. 27. At patrol's request, drivers moved their cars to park them legally.
A license plate reader detected a car with a suspended New York registration at Brite Avenue and Fenimore Road Feb. 27. The cause was "insurance not in effect." Patrol issued the driver summonses, removed the car's license plates and had the car towed to a location in Yonkers.
Patrol issued a summons to the owner of an illegally parked car at Sherbrooke and Heathcote roads Feb. 28.
Police notified Verizon about a fallen wire on Secor Road Feb. 28.
The tire of a driver's tow-behind stump grinder fell off the vehicle on Mamaroneck Road March 1. A tow truck arrived and removed the disabled stump grinder.
Police issued summonses to three drivers for passing a stopped school bus on Popham Road at 3:45 p.m., March 1.
Patrol moved a fallen tree branch to the side of Tory Lane and Brite Avenue March 2.
Luggage left by the side of Post Road had been placed there for trash pickup March 2.
A driver got a flat tire on Heathcote Road at 11 p.m., March 3. Patrol stood by until AAA arrived to address the situation.
Eleven car accidents were reported in the village.
Animals
Police picked up two loose dogs from Post Road and returned them to their Barry Road owner March 2.
On March 5, patrol observed a dead raccoon on Huntington Avenue. The highway and sanitation departments were informed.
Lost and found
A woman found a wallet and cell phone and gave them to police Feb. 27. Police identified the owner, who said she would pick up her items from headquarters.
On March 3, a village doctor reported losing an envelope containing $11,200 cash, representing patient fees. While investigating the report, police learned the doctor found the envelope among his personal belongings. There was no further need for police assistance.
Firefighters
Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of a gas odor near a Garth Road excavation site Feb. 27.
Firefighters shut the gas supply to a White Birch Lane stove and called Con Edison after gas readings were detected in the house Feb. 28.
Firefighters confirmed a stove was malfunctioning in a Bradford Road house Feb. 28. Firefighters advised the homeowner to refrain from using it until it could be serviced.
Firefighters shut gas to a malfunctioning cooktop and stove in a Church Lane house March 1. Firefighters advised the resident to call for service.
A faulty motion sensor was causing lights to flash inside a Catherine Road house March 1.
Firefighters helped a Cushman Road resident locate a chirping smoke detector in the resident's house March 1. Firefighters advised replacement.
A natural gas condition in a Tyler Road boiler room resulted in elevated carbon monoxide levels throughout the house March 1. The residents were evacuated, and Con Edison was called.
The highway department was called to remove a fallen tree limb blocking fire hydrant access March 3.
Reported smoke at a Wildwood Road house was coming from a dryer March 3. Firefighters unplugged the dryer, allowed it to cool down and recommended replacement.
A gas odor in a Chesterfield Road house was determined to be caused by gasoline spillage on the garage floor March 5.
This week, firefighters assisted at five car accidents in the village and on parkways. They responded to four false carbon monoxide alarms and 17 false fire alarms caused by device malfunction, cooking smoke, wood dust and shower steam.
This report covering police and fire department activity from Feb. 27 through March 5 was compiled from official information.This police report is sponsored by Scarsdale Security who does more than just security. Contact them about remote video for your home or business. Call 914-722-2200 or visit their website.
Police Report: Stolen Purse, Identity Thefts and a Squirrel in the House
- Details
- Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig
- Hits: 5306
Death: Norman J. Merksamer, 87, of Lincoln Road, died at home Feb. 25.
Stolen purse
A Deerhurst Road woman parked her car on Gaylor Road while attending church for one hour on Feb. 25. She left her handbag in the car. Someone smashed the car's window and stole the handbag from the front passenger seat. It contained at least one credit card.
Identity theft
On Feb. 20, a Hamilton Road woman reported someone attempted to open a Victoria's Secret credit card in her name. The application – twice attempted – was declined because the woman already had a credit card in her name for that store. On the second application, the suspect tried to change the cardholder address to an address in the Bronx.
On Feb. 25, a Cooper Road resident reported his wife's Delta Skymiles account got hacked, and someone used 210,000 of her Skymiles to purchase ten Amazon gift cards totaling $1,000. The cards were delivered to an address in Salem, Missouri. Delta's fraud department is following up.
Things out of place
A Swarthmore Road man reported coming home and finding wood shavings all over the house and things out of place Feb. 20. At first look, patrol thought an animal had gotten into the house and chewed a wooden step. While checking the interior, patrol saw a squirrel exit an upstairs bedroom and run out the front door.
Mail
On Feb. 22, an Edgewood Road woman reported receiving mail at her house welcoming people, whose names she does not know, to the neighborhood. She has been receiving this mail for the past five years. The woman was concerned this mail might be related to something suspicious in the future. Police advised her to notify the post office and continue to monitor her accounts.
Cigarette
A Willow Lane man reported a neighbor's construction worker flicked a cigarette onto his front lawn Feb. 22. The man said he has observed other village code violations committed by the workers and reported them to Village Hall personnel. The construction manner said there has been an ongoing feud with the neighbor. He said he has also spoken with Village Hall regarding alleged violations. Patrol advised him to speak with his workers to avoid any unnecessary strife with the neighbor and to prevent village code violations in the future.
Keys
Police summoned highway department workers to help retrieve keys from a storm drain located at Spencer Place and Chase Road Feb. 23.
Photos
A person saw a white woman in a dark Honda Pilot taking photos of kids playing on Bradley and Carmen roads Feb. 23. When patrol got the scene, the woman was gone. Patrol questioned other parents at the park about the report. At least one parent said the woman had been taking pictures of her own children and not doing anything wrong. The parent said she recognized the woman as a frequent visitor to the park with her children.
Too fast
While patrolling Weaver Street at 3:30 a.m., Feb. 24, police saw a car speeding down the road. The car turned into a shopping plaza's parking lot and turned off its lights. Police stopped to talk with the driver. The driver allegedly appeared "very nervous ... and continuously changed his story about why he was in the parking lot." Police checked the man's ID to confirm there were no active warrants for him. He told police he had just gotten off probation for possessing stolen property.
Search
Scarsdale police helped Eastchester police look for three male suspects in an assault incident that occurred at Post and Summerfield roads in Eastchester Feb. 26. The suspects were not found. The scene was stable – with medics, Eastchester police and Eastchester firefighters on scene – before Scarsdale police officers departed.
911
A Popham Road woman called 911 and then hung up Feb. 25. Police contacted the woman. She confirmed everything was fine at her residence. She advised she tried to contact the police department's non-emergency number, but she did not know the number; so she called 911 in an attempt to get the correct number.
Kids
A resident reported seeing a group of kids gathering and lighting a small fire in Colonial Acres Park Feb. 24. Police dispersed the kids from the park and did not see any active fires.
Police dispersed a loud youth party on Horseguard Lane after neighbors complained of noise at 8:30 p.m., Feb. 25. No adult supervision was present; so police asked the kids to call their parents and arrange for rides home.
Dogs
Police found a small brown dog loose on Brewster Road Feb. 24. The owner, on Kensington Road, was identified. The owner's wife said the dog had escaped the backyard fence. She thanked police and said she would make sure the dog did not get loose again. A verbal warning was delivered.
A loose dog wandered into a Copper Beech Lane house Feb. 25. Patrol identified the dog's owner, who lived nearby. The owner came to pick up his dog. He was advised about village code regarding dogs at large.
Cars and roadways
On Feb. 20, patrol observed a branch resting in wires at Post and Richbell roads. Con Edison was notified.
Police called Con Edison and taped off an area of Hampton and Chesterfield roads with fallen wires Feb. 22.
Police called the highway department to remove a dead raccoon from Fenimore Road Feb. 23.
The highway department was informed about a possible sinkhole forming on Boniface Circle Feb. 23.
On Feb. 24, an anonymous passerby reported a worker was flagging cars "in an irate manner" around a vehicle parked at a construction site near Carstensen Road and Rectory Lane. Police checked out the complaint and saw only legally parked vehicles and free flowing traffic, without any 'Irate" flagging.
Police called a tow for a disabled car at Post and Fenimore roads Feb. 26.
Parked cars were blocking traffic flow on Barker Lane Feb. 26. Patrol asked drivers to move their cars to one side of the street. The drivers complied.
No car accidents were reported in the village this week.
Village code
Workers arrived at a Seneca Road job site at 8:40 a.m., Feb. 20. A neighbor complained. Police advised the foreman he could not begin work before 10 a.m., as per village code.
Police advised a door-to-door solicitor that he need a permit to solicit in the village Feb. 20.
Neighbors complained about a barking dog on Wildwood Road Feb. 22. The homeowner brought it inside after learning about the complaint.
Lost and found
A person found a Wells Fargo debit card on Bell Road and brought it to police Feb. 24. The cardholder was identified and notified. He said she lost the card the day before, thanked police and asked police to shred the card.
Firefighters
Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of an outdoor gas odor on Dell Road Feb. 23.
A burnt out fan motor caused an odor in a Madison Road laundry room Feb. 23. Firefighters disconnected the fan and advised the homeowner to call an electrician.
A burning odor in a Walworth Avenue house was caused by residue from a cleaning agent left on a stove when the stove got hot Feb. 23.
A worker in a Saxon Woods Road house accidentally got locked inside an interior closet, with an inward swinging door, Feb. 24. Firefighters had to force open the door to release the worker.
Firefighters helped emergency medical personnel get inside a Garden Road house to check the welfare of a person Feb. 24.
Firefighters helped a Harvest Drive resident identify smoke detectors in need of service inside her house Feb. 24.
Firefighters helped a Brewster Road resident get back inside his house after accidentally being locked outside Feb. 25.
Brookby Road was closed because of an arcing wire Feb. 25. Firefighters stood by for Con Edison.
Firefighters stood by for Con Edison at the site of a gas leak on Aspen Road Feb. 26.
This week firefighters responded to three false carbon monoxide alarms and 10 false fire alarms, caused by device malfunction, a latched smoke detector, cooking smoke and shower steam.
This report covering police and fire department activity from Feb. 20-26 was compiled from official information.
This police report is sponsored by Scarsdale Security who does more than just security. Contact them about remote video for your home or business. Call 914-722-2200 or visit their website.
Early Morning Fire Guts Home on Black Birch Lane
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 7695
(Updated at 12:51 pm Sunday) Fire broke out at a house at 29 Black Birch Lane in Scarsdale at 4 am on March 5. Firefighters arrived to find the house engulfed in flames and smoke. There were no reported injuries but the house appears to be totally destroyed.
Fire Chief Jim Seymour provided the following report after the fire was put out:
"We were dispatched at 4:04 am this morning to a possible structure fire at 33 Black Birch Lane. Just prior White Plains the Fire Department was dispatched to a street behind Black Birch for a reported fire. When White Plains arrived on the street behind Black Birch, the called in stating they could see a house fire in Scarsdale. Our Fire Department arrived at 4:07 and found the second floor of 29 Black Birch lane fully involved. Shortly after our arrival the roof in the rear of the house began to collapse and the building was too dangerous to enter. The fire was darkened down within the first hour and we remained on the scene until around 9:40 am putting out hot spots. The Westchester County Cause and Origin team is investigating. No one was home at the time and it appears the home was under some interior renovations. About 50 firefighters were on the scene. Mutual aid from White Plains, Hartsdale and Greenville assisted at the scene."
A Village Press Release says: "The Scarsdale Building Department has contacted the owner's project architect and will be working early this week to get the site properly secured and demolished as soon as possible, as the structure appears to be a total loss."
Police Report: Arrested! Police Catch Burglars Fleeing Drake Road Home
- Details
- Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig
- Hits: 17890
On Feb. 14, police caught and arrested three suspects who were fleeing from an interrupted Drake Road burglary. These suspects were: Orgen Hoxha, 21, from New York City; Armand Selmani, 23, from Clifton, New Jersey; and Gramos Muhaxheri, 22, of the Bronx.
Police initially responded to a Drake Road house for a burglar alarm activation coming from the basement door. Two squad cars and an unmarked car, serving on a taskforce unit, arrived on scene. Police officers established a perimeter while an officer and a detective conducted an interior check of the house. One of the glass panels on the basement door had been broken, and the basement door was ajar. Small shards of glass and part of the wooden frame to the window panel were observed on the floor inside the house. Additional small glass shards were observed on the staircase leading from the basement to the first floor of the residence.
A thorough search of the interior did not yield any obvious signs of criminality on the first- or second-floors. There were no obvious signs that the bedrooms had been entered. While police were on scene, a neighbor approached and provided patrol with information about the homeowner. The basement door appears to have been both the point of entry and exit. Detectives collected some of the small glass shards.
While the investigation was ongoing at the house, a taskforce unit stopped the suspects' car on Wilmot and Baraud roads. Investigation identified the men as suspects, and they were taken into custody. Hoxha, Selmani and Muhaxheri were each charged with second-degree burglary and fourth-degree criminal mischief for acting in concert with one another to burglarize the Drake Road house.
Assault arrest
On Feb. 18, police arrested Wabo M. Ntwaagae, 23, of Scarsdale, on charges of third-degree assault, after Ntwaagae allegedly slammed his mother's finger in a door during an argument over $80. The act caused a laceration of his mother's finger, extreme pain and partial detachment of her fingernail. Ntwaagae's parents called police to their house at approximately 1:10 a.m., after the incident occurred. Once inside the house, police were asked to help search for Ntwaagae inside the house. His parents were unsure of his whereabouts but thought he was most likely inside his locked second-floor room. While outside the door, police heard music turn on inside the room, indicating Ntwaagae was, in fact, there. Ntwaagae's parents advised police they were fearful of their safety and wanted their son arrested. Patrol spoke to Ntwaagae through the door and advised him to open it. Ntwaagae's gave police explicit permission to force open the door and agreed to pay fr any damage to the door. Police advised Ntwaagae that the door would be forced open if he did not open it on his own accord. Ntwaagae did not open the door, and police used a tool to force it open. Ntwaagae was seen standing near his bed in his room. He was placed in handcuffs, escorted to the police car and arrested. The district attorney's office was consulted and bail was set at $500 cash or $1,000 bond, with the condition of the surrender of Ntwaagae's passport from Botswana. Since Ntwaagae did not have the means to post bail, and since his parents refused to post bail, Ntwaagae was taken to Westchester County Jail to await trial on Feb. 22.
Stolen package
On Feb. 13, a Brewster Road woman reported a package was stolen from her doorstep Feb. 6. The package contained wallpaper, rug and bedding samples valued at $89. The woman said she waited to report the package as stolen because she though one of her neighbors might have picked it up for her, but this was not the case.
Identity theft
A Brown Road resident reported someone attempted to open a small business account with Bank of America in her name Feb. 13. The attempt was fraudulent. The woman suffered no financial loss.
On Feb. 15, a Dolma Road woman received a bill for $300 in charges made on a newly opened fraudulent Target credit card account. The purchases were made in a store in Paramus, New Jersey on Jan. 11. There was a spelling error in the woman's last name, as listed on the account. The woman notified Target's fraud department. They are following up.
On Feb. 17, a Brambach Road woman reported a check she wrote for $325 to pay school fees was intercepted after mailing and cashed by an unknown party. The check was mailed from a postal box in either White Plains or Elmsford on Jan. 14.
On Feb. 19, a Lockwood Road man reported two fraudulent charges totaling $360.52 were made to his Capital One card on Jan. 20. The charges were made to purchase weight loss supplements, which were shipped to an unknown party. Capital One's fraud department is following up.
Hot stove
A Greenacres Avenue woman asked police to assist her in turning off the oven in her kitchen Feb. 15. The woman advised she had turned the oven off but was concerned because it was still producing heat. Patrol observed the oven control knob to be in the "off" position. The heat coming from oven appeared to be residual warmth radiating from the appliance because it had previously been on. The woman explained she does not normally do a lot of cooking and was unfamiliar with the functions of her oven's electric touch panel. Patrol suggested she could follow up was a handyman to ensure the oven was functioning properly.
Martial arts
An older male, approximately 60-70 years old, was observed practicing martial arts while holding a sword in the parking lot of Scarsdale public library Feb. 16. Library employees confirmed the man was a regular at the library. The sword was confirmed to be a toy made of plastic. Nevertheless, the man was advised to practice martial house with the sword at home – not in public – because it was causing public concern. There was a language barrier, but the man appeared to understand patrol's advice.
Tipped furniture
A Tory Lane woman reported patio furniture had been tipped over outside her house Feb. 18. There was no sign of criminality on the patio or around the house. The furniture was very lightweight, and patrol deduced it must have blown over during recent heavy winds.
Ride home
An elderly woman because disoriented on Rodney Road, and police provided her with a ride home Feb. 19.
Elevator
An elevator malfunctioned and was put out of service at the Scarsdale Train Station Feb. 19. Proper personnel were notified for repair.
Suspicious
While conducting burglary patrol at 2:30 a.m., Feb. 14, police saw a man standing outside on Hutchinson Avenue. Patrol questioned the man. He said he was painting a family member's house and walking to a cousin's house on the street. He provided patrol with the correct name and address of the cousin. Everything appeared to be in good order.
Patrol noticed a wide-open front door and all lights on at an Eastwoods Lane house at 11:30 p.m., Feb. 14. The homeowner reported leaving his front door open while taking out the garbage. Everything was in good order.
A man dressed in black was seen walking down Post Road, near Olmsted Road, at 3:30 a.m., Feb. 17. The man said he was walking to the mall from Mount Vernon. However, according to police, the man was "very vague on what exactly his purpose was for being in the area." He left the area without incident.
Keys were observed sticking out of the front door lock of a Webster Road house Feb. 18. The homeowner said everything was in good order. He was at the house to perform miscellaneous work and had left the keys there.
Harassment
A Graham Road woman reported employees from a moving company have been harassing her about paying them additional money since Jan. 15. The company recently moved belongings from a storage facility in Yonkers to one closer to her house on Long Island. She received a bill and paid it in full, but she has also received numerous texts and phone calls from the company demanding more money. Two movers even came to her workplace and were wandering around looking for her. Security removed them from her workplace. Recently, the woman found a loose invoice in her mailbox, which made her feel concerned that the movers came to her house in person. Police advised the woman to call them if the men return.
Fallen tree, pole and accidents
A Village tree fell on a 2010 Mercedes parked in a Hampton Road driveway. It took down electrical wires in the process. Due to live power line blocking the road, police and firefighters closed the area until Con Edison could address the fallen lines. Once the power lines were cleared, damage to the Hampton Road house could be assessed. The falling tree broke through a second-floor bedroom window, damaged part of a gutter and crushed the family's basketball hoop. Con Edison and the highway department were working together to removed the fallen tree from the resident's property. Related to this incident, the associated utility pole snapped on Hampton Road and fell on a Olmsted Road woman's 2014 Honda while she was driving near the pole on Hampton Road Feb. 13. Fortunately, in this accident, there were no reported injuries. Three children were in the car when the accident occurred.
Cars and roadways
Patrol notified the highway department about a fallen tree blocking a Tompkins Road driveway Feb. 14. Highway workers responded to clear it.
A falling tree branch snapped a primary electrical service line and pulled down a cable wire in front of a Palmer Avenue house Feb. 14. Patrol advised dispatch for proper notification.
The electronic emergency brake malfunctioned and engaged in a car on Carthage Road, blocking traffic, Feb. 14. Patrol was able to get the e-brake to disengage by removing the key from the ignition and pressing the e-brake button multiple times. The driver cancelled the tow and drove the car from the location. The driver was advised to seek service for the problem.
A driver complained about a large pothole at Post and Carman Roads Feb. 14. Patrol noticed large postholes at Post and Mamaroneck roads the same day. Traffic cones were placed in the potholes to warn drivers. The highway department and the New York State Department of Transportation were notified.
The water department was notified about a broken water main with gushing water on Lockwood Road Feb. 14.
Con Edison was notified about fallen wires at Post and Olmsted roads and Post and Oxford roads Feb. 15.
On Feb. 15, police conducted a traffic stop of a 65-year-old Nyack driver who failed to use his turn signal at Chase and Popham roads and who was seen driving while holding a cell phone in his hand. The driver said he was holding the phone in his hand "by habit." A check of his driver's license revealed it had been revoked for "failure to pay NYS taxes." He was issued appropriate summonses.
The highway department and the NYS Department of Transportation were advised about potholes at Old Lyme Road and Normandy Lane Feb. 15.
Summonses were issued to the registered owners of two cars parked on Brook Lane in violation of parking restrictions Feb. 15.
Patrol removed a box from Post Road Feb. 16.
A man asked police to help him find his car on Christie Place Feb. 17. Later, he remembered parking his car at Village Hall instead.
The traffic light at Fenimore Road and Walworth Avenue was malfunctioning Feb. 19. An electrician was called in, and he fixed it.
Eight car accidents were reported in the village this week.
Animals
Police picked up a loose dog from Brewster Road and reunited it with its owner after the owner came to headquarters to report the missing dog Feb. 15. The owner was issued an appropriate summons.
Church Lane residents advised of a feral cat in the area Feb. 15. Police services were not needed.
A Fox Meadow Road resident reported a fox lying in her backyard Feb. 18. The animal did not appear to be injured or sick – only sleeping. While police were on scene, the fox got startled, woke up and ran out of the yard.
Lost and found
A license plate was found in a pile of snow in the driveway of a Greenacres Avenue house Feb. 18. The plate did not belong to anyone who lived at the house. A computer check revealed the plate belonged to a Hartsdale woman. She was notified, via her husband, who said he would pick up the plate later that afternoon.
A Scarsdale Middle School student lost his iPhone 6 at school Feb. 16.
Firefighters
Firefighters notified Con Edison about power lines entangled with trees or fallen to the ground on Rectory Lane and Hampton, Copper and Tomkins roads Feb. 13.
A branch fell on a Cohawney Road roof Feb. 13. Firefighters advised the homeowner to call a tree service. There was no structural damage to the house.
High winds blew over an outdoor barbecue grill attached to a gas service line at a Lincoln Road house Feb. 13. Con Edison shut down the gas service line and was attending to the problem.
Elevated carbon monoxide levels were found in a Rock Creek Lane house Feb. 14. Con Edison locked the gas supply and red-tagged multiple appliances with problems Feb. 14. Firefighters helped ventilate the house.
Firefighters notified Con Edison about an outdoor gas odor on Ogden Road Feb. 14.
A Penn Road resident called police about a cat stuck on the roof Feb. 15. The cat got off the roof without any help, and firefighters were not needed.
An odor in an Oak Lane house was caused by a skunk trapped in a window well Feb. 16. Firefighters advised the homeowner to call a trapper.
Water dripping though a ceiling in a Wildwood Road house was caused by a leaking HVAC unit in the attic Feb. 16. The resident was advised to call an electrician and plumber.
Con Edison was working extensively on identifying and repairing a gas leak of a high pressure main on Church Lane Feb. 18. Firefighters provided assistance as needed, including notification to homeowners.
A gas valve was found damaged on Chesterfield Road, possibly from a snowplow, Feb. 19. Con Edison was notified.
This week, firefighters assisted a two car accidents in the village. They responded to three false carbon monoxide alarms and 14 false fire alarms caused by device malfunction, cooking smoke, construction dust, shower steam and burnt food.
This report covering police and fire department activity from Feb. 13 – 19 was compiled from official information.
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