Bedford Police Report Jan. 7-12

Not an art fan, just a thief 

A man police said has a history of thieving was arrested Tuesday,  Jan. 7, at 4:12 p.m., at his home in Pleasantville, charged with stealing a woman’s purse during a recent art event at the Katonah Village Library, Bedford Road, Katonah. Police said the male, 60, pretended to be interested in art and mingled with the public but was actually there to steal. His victim, an artist hosting the event, placed her coat and handbag in what she believed was a safe and secluded location; when she returned to it at the close of the event, she discovered her handbag was missing. Using the library’s video surveillance cameras and other tools, police were able to identify the thief who took the cash from her wallet and dumped everything else at another location in Katonah. Police said everything but the cash was recovered. The man was brought to Bedford police headquarters for processing and released on his own recognizance and issued a ticket to appear in court Jan. 22.  

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Tuesday, Jan. 7

8:10 a.m. — A resident of Meadow Lane, Katonah, reported an incident that happened the prior evening when she was walking her dog in the neighborhood. She said a neighbor’s dog chased her and her dog before being reeled in by its owner who was using a retractable leash. The dog control officer went to that dog’s home and spoke with the owner about the risks and hazards of retractable leashes and advised using a standard leash. The dog owner apologized for frightening their neighbor. 

5:50 p.m. — A resident of Bedford Hills, male, 79, was transported by Katonah Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps to Northern Westchester Hospital after experiencing a seizure. Police said medics were on scene and that the man was breathing but not alert at the time of transport. 

Wednesday, Jan. 8

6:40 p.m. — A resident of Bedford Hills, male, 19, was arrested at police headquarters after turning himself in following an incident that happened at his girlfriend’s home Sunday,  Jan. 5, at 11 p.m., in Bedford Hills. He was charged with “criminal obstruction of breath with pressure applied.” Police said the woman is pregnant. She took a few days after the incident to decide what she wanted to do and has since been issued an order of protection and provided with domestic incident contacts assistance. Police went to the boyfriend’s home Jan. 8 but he wasn’t there. A message was left for him and he voluntarily came to headquarters where he was arraigned by a judge and issued a ticket to appear in court Jan. 15. 

1:09 p.m. — A resident of Yonkers, male, 12, was transported from the Fox Lane Middle School campus on South Bedford Road, Bedford, by Bedford firefighters to Northern Westchester Hospital for an emotionally charged situation. No further information was provided.

Thursday, Jan. 9

3:53 p.m. — An odor of something burning inside a house brought Bedford Hills firefighters to a residence on Broad Brook Road, Bedford Hills. Firefighters determined the odor was coming from a burned-out motor inside of the refrigerator. The appliance was disconnected from the outlet and no fire was found. 

4:35 p.m. — Police assisted a man who said he was homeless and living in his car, currently parked in the parking lot of the Katonah Shopping Center on Katonah Avenue, Katonah. He flagged down an officer and said he wanted help detecting the source of “the smell.” It’s unclear if that was determined. He said he hoped to find a warm place to sleep that night and police directed him to a shelter.   

6:34 p.m. — A resident of Somers, male, 94, declined medical attention after being reported choking at a restaurant in the Katonah Shopping Center on Katonah Avenue, Katonah. Medics were on scene. The man said he’d had some trouble swallowing his food but was fine and didn’t need assistance.   

Friday, Jan. 10

11:58 a.m. —  Police went to the Westmoreland Sanctuary on Chestnut Hill Road, Bedford Hills, after a woman reported someone broke into her locked car and stole her handbag which she’d left on the passenger side front seat. On their arrival, police saw the front passenger window was broken. The reporting party said they’d been hiking in the sanctuary for about 50 minutes. The incident is with the detective division and is under investigation. 

2:26 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. — Bedford police officers conducted a number of civilian training events: how to respond to active shooter events; CPR; “Stop the Bleed” tourniquet training; and how to use Narcan in an overdose situation. These training events took place throughout the day at Bedford Hills Elementary School, Fox Lane Middle and High schools; and at the Katonah Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps headquarters on Bedford Road, Katonah. 

Saturday, Jan. 11

11:50 a.m. — A resident of Robinson Avenue, Bedford Hills, reported identity theft and unemployment fraud after they were notified by their employer that someone fraudulently applied for unemployment benefits in December, using their identity. The reporting party is on top of what needs to be done and said they are not out any money. They requested documentation of the incident only. 

2:48 p.m. — An avian hospital on Bedford Road, Bedford Hills, reported an unpleasant encounter that happened earlier that day with a known client. Police spoke with the veterinarian who said a husband and wife came to the hospital with their bird who has been a patient in the past. They demanded that-day service for their pet and were told no walk-ins were accepted but they could pay an emergency fee and be seen at the end of the day. This caused the wife to become irate; she yelled at staff and the couple left the hospital, but not before the wife kicked a door. Police say the door wasn’t damaged. A report was made of the incident.

8:20 p.m. — A driver who failed to negotiate a bend in the road on Old Post Road, Bedford, struck a utility pole. Police say the operator wasn’t injured and the pole wasn’t damaged. The car was towed. 

Sunday, Jan. 12

12:04 a.m. — An automated crash detection system installed inside a vehicle alerted police to a collision on Bedford Road, Bedford Hills. The operator, who struck a telephone pole, told police an unknown car attempted to pass him and cut him off. To avoid colliding, he swerved, causing him to hit the pole. The pole wasn’t damaged. Police said he wasn’t injured. His car was towed.  

1:27 a.m. — A driver whose car slipped on ice on the southbound entrance to the Interstate 684 ramp, Bedford Hills, was found safe and out of his car by police on their arrival. They said his car was in a ditch. A tow was requested to winch him out. The driver did not want an accident report completed. 

11:38 a.m. — Police went to the parking lot of DeCicco & Sons on Old Post Road, Bedford, for a report of a collision. They first spoke with the operator of one car who said she watched while another driver hit her parked car. The operator of the second car denied he’d hit her car but damage to his car indicated he had just hit it. Neither car required a tow and the operator of the second car was given a citation. Police obtained his information to provide to the other operator.  

11:48 a.m. — An employer requested a police officer check up on an employee who failed to show up at work. Police went to that person’s home on Chestnut Ridge Road, Bedford Hills, and saw cars were parked in front. There was no response at the door. The landlord was contacted and police announced themselves and entered the home. The tenant said he forgot to set his alarm and didn’t hear the knocking but was fine. 

— Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer

This report was made from official reports provided by the Bedford Police Department.