Triggered burglar alarms, pranksters and petty thieves plague the neighborhood  

Writing by Eve Marx

Artwork by Cara McPartland 

Bedford 

Hit and run, but the wine is okay

An employee at a wine store on Old Post Road told police on Feb. 26 she was struck by a moving vehicle. Police said she was walking someone’s wine purchase out to their parked car when she was struck by the side mirror of another vehicle that was operating in the parking area. That driver didn’t really stop but asked the employee if she was okay. She said she was, and that person drove off. Later, when the employee told her boss what happened, she was advised to call the police to report the incident. She repeated that she wasn’t injured or in need of medical assistance, and a report was made for documentation only. 

Do I smell gas?

Police and Katonah firefighters were on the scene the afternoon of Feb. 26 in Katonah on The Terrace after a contractor working on the roadway accidentally struck a gas line. Con Edison was contacted and immediately on the scene to close off the leak. Fire and police personnel helped evacuate residents near the leak. The leak was stopped, and residents were given the green light to go back inside their homes.

Shirts, shoes and underwear stolen 

A man, 30, from White Plains, was arrested on Feb. 27 in front of Staples on Bedford Road in Mount Kisco and charged with theft. Bedford police assisted county police in the arrest after the man was reported stealing clothing from Kohl’s, which is on the border of Bedford Hills and Mount Kisco. Police say the man took sweatshirts, pants, shirts, underwear and shoes from the store and was apprehended while traveling on foot on Bedford Road. He was arrested and brought to Bedford police headquarters for processing; he was scheduled to appear in court on March 6. The recovered items were returned to the store. 

Man sleeping on wall

Mid-morning on Feb. 27, police received a report of a man on Bedford Center Road sleeping on a wall. A concerned bystander reported him. Police responding encountered a language barrier, and a Spanish-speaking officer was requested from county police. Using the translator, the man said he had no phone, no cash, and didn’t know how he came to be sleeping on a wall following a night of drinking. He said he was from Danbury but was currently homeless. The county crisis team was contacted and responded to the scene to assist the man with temporary housing. 

Bye, bye, Rocky

A sick raccoon was humanely dispatched by police firearm on Old Post Road on Feb. 28. Police say the animal was lying down in someone’s driveway and couldn’t move. The homeowner said they would get rid of the remains. 

No fraud here

On Feb. 28, police were contacted by an adult protective services caseworker regarding an elderly client in Bedford Hills who withdrew a large amount of money from her bank account. Due to the prevalence of elder fraud, the caseworker was concerned. The person in question came to headquarters to explain that she did withdraw substantial funds from her account to give to her son, and she authorized this transaction; she said there was no fraud or coercion. 

A thirsty thief turns himself in 

A Yonkers man, 35, was arrested on Feb. 29 at police headquarters and charged with petty larceny. Police say he turned himself in two and a half months after stealing five bottles of liquor from a wine and spirits store in Bedford Hills. Police investigating the incident identified him after viewing surveillance video and made contact. He was processed and released on his own recognizance, and he is due to appear in court on March 20. 

Man ejected from car 

Police and emergency personnel responded to the scene of a three-car collision on I-684 on Feb. 29 at the Beaver Dam overpass. A Bronx man, 44, was transported to Westchester Medical Center by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance. It was reported that a man fell over 50 feet down a ravine and was found by first responders and good samaritans. Bedford police officers and others crossed the water under the underpass to get to him, and they determined he was in serious condition. A basket and rescue ropes were deployed to remove him from the ravine and to a waiting ambulance. Bedford’s UTV vehicle was requested but canceled on arrival. One officer responding reported pain in their ankle during the search. Responding personnel from New York State Police, the South Salem Fire Department, the Yorktown Heights Volunteer Fire Department, Westchester EMS and Katonah and Bedford Hills fire and ambulance crews assisted with the rescue. 

No cause for alarm

A caller on Baldwin Road on Feb. 29 expressed concern about someone on the property. They called back shortly after to say it was a friend playing a prank, and there was no cause for alarm. 

Unfortunate meeting

Two school buses had an unfortunate meeting on the Fox Lane High School campus on March 1. They collided, but police said there was very minimal damage to either bus. The school’s director of transportation contacted police to confirm for documentation only, and no accident report was requested. The school nurse spoke to all the children on the bus, and they said no one was injured. 

Money stolen from safe 

A Babbitt Road caller on March 2 reported money was stolen from a safe on their property. They said the safe is always locked. Police said the property in question is not a home or a business. They are investigating. 

Tow fee freak out 

A customer who objected to his tow fee brought police to Plainfield Avenue on March 2. They spoke with a man who said his car was towed to this impound via county police; when he arrived and tried to remove his plates, he was told he would have to pay the tow fee before he could have access. He objected to the fee, and an officer explained to him the principles of tow pricing. Both parties came to an agreement; the fee was paid, and police say all issues were resolved. 

She hurt my car 

On March 3, an adult male caller reported that a woman threw a stick at his car while he was traveling on West Patent Road. He said at the time he pulled over and saw a scratch on his headlight, but because he had to be somewhere, he continued on his way. He contacted police to say he had dash cam footage of the incident, but by the time he got to headquarters, he’d accidentally deleted that data. He maintained his wish to make a formal complaint but was told that because the car is registered to his mother, she would have to make the report. He said he would speak to her about the matter and might return. 

No cause for alarm (again) 

An activated burglar alarm March 3 at a sprawling property on Oregon Road brought police to the scene. The caretaker showed the police where the alarm was activated. That residence was searched, and all appeared in order. The triggered alarm was cited as a malfunction. 

Don’t come back 

A restaurant on Katonah Avenue on March 3 reported an unwanted patron harassing other customers. On police arrival, the restaurant’s owner requested that the man be formally charged with trespassing. The man, whom police say is local, was advised to leave immediately, which he did. 

North Castle 

Third time’s the charm: another no cause for alarm

Police responded to a residential burglar alarm activated on Feb. 23 at a home on Juniper Court. A family friend accidentally set off the alarm. The homeowner was notified. 

And as an encore, our final no cause for alarm

An activated fire alarm on Main Street on Feb. 24 was set off in error by construction workers doing work at the scene. 

Attempted car break in 

A Hunter Drive resident on Feb. 25 reported that two men attempted to break into his car overnight. Police say this isn’t the first time this man’s property has been targeted. 

Chief concern

The police chief himself reported a serious pothole in the roadway on Main Street on Feb. 26. The pothole was deemed a traffic hazard, and the highway department was notified to repair it. 

Transported to the hospital 

On Feb. 25, an elderly man experiencing a rapid heart rate was reported on Business Park Drive. An ambulance from Armonk was dispatched, and the man, who tested positive for COVID, was transported to Northern Westchester Hospital. 

Get off my lawn

A Washington Avenue caller on Feb. 26 complained about a car parked in their front yard on the lawn. Police arrived in time to witness the driver of the car removing it. 

Not a happy camper 

On Feb. 27, a caller reported someone in the woods, cutting branches of trees and potentially setting up camp in the vicinity of Jeanne Lane. Police responded and spoke to the man, who is a neighbor of the caller. 

Possible animal abuse reported 

A caller on Grove Road on Feb. 27 said they wanted to report possible animal abuse. The caller said she received a third-party anonymous complaint alleging the owner of a newly adopted dog was abusing the dog. No further information was available at this time. 

Car thieves thwarted 

A Pond Lane caller on Feb. 27 said two people wearing gray hooded sweatshirts ran up to their parked car and pulled on the door handles before running off when they realized all the doors were locked. The caller was unable to provide any more information about the pair; police searched the neighborhood without result. 

PSA: Ladies, please don’t leave your handbag in your car

A Maple Way caller on Feb. 28 reported her car was broken into and her handbag stolen. Police arrived, and a report was made of the incident. 

Pick up your trash

A caller on Feb. 28 reported debris in the road on Banksville Road. Police went to the area and contacted a homeowner, who agreed to pick up their blown-around garbage. 

Bonus content from the New York State Police…

A Brewster man, 41, was pulled over and suspected of driving while intoxicated on March 2 in North Salem in the wee hours of the morning. He was released to a third party pending an investigation. 

A North Salem man, 20, was arrested on Feb. 28 for violating vehicle and traffic laws in the town of North Salem. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, his first offense. Burglary was also cited in the blotter. 

A Danbury man, 31, was arrested in North Salem on March 4 after midnight, charged with driving while intoxicated and being in criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was released on an appearance ticket and has a date to appear in court. 

These reports were made from official reports provided by the Bedford Police Department, the North Castle Police Department, and the New York State Police.