Incident Insider

Porch pirates purloin packages, stolen ID scam thwarted, shouting woman in white face paint—yes, really.

BY EVE MARX, HIGH PRIESTESS OF SCARSDALE HIJINX

Incident Insider: Scarsdale Police Reports Jan. 6-Jan. 13, 2025

By EVE MARX 

Call the police! 

A caller on Brambach Road Jan. 6 told police a contractor he fired showed up at his home and is refusing to leave. The contractor wanted him to sign a contract about a previously discussed job, but he told the contractor he didn’t want his services and threatened to call the police. The contractor left and was not on scene on police arrival. 

Attempted illegal use of credit card on New Year’s Eve 

Identity theft was reported Jan. 7 by a Wakefield Road resident who came to police headquarters to report someone tried to open a bank account using his identity. His bank told him about it. This happened in Sept. 2024. Next, the fraudster tried charging something to the reporting party’s credit card on New Year’s Eve, but the bank thwarted it. The reporting party said he’s not out any money and only wanted the incidents documented. 

All in the line of duty….

While patrolling Freightway Road Jan. 8, an officer noticed a car with its trunk open in a parking garage. There were no indications of criminality. The officer was unsuccessful contacting the car’s owner and left them a note to call the police to let them know if anything was stolen. The officer closed the trunk and continued patrolling. 

Porch pirates still at it 

Larceny was reported Jan. 8 on Madison Road when a delivery package was grabbed off a caller’s porch. No further information was provided. A report was made for documentation. 

Hearing voices 

A Madison Road caller Jan. 8 reported she heard what sounded like a walkie-talkie or voices in her basement. Police came over and checked her house out and said all was secure and there were no people hiding in the basement. 

Pacing woman arouses suspicions 

An elderly lady was reported Jan. 8 wearing a blue jacket, beige trousers and a red hat, walking back and forth in front of the Harcourt Building. Police spoke with her; she said she was fine and waiting for a taxi. 

Oh, it’s only the contractors 

Suspicious activity was reported Jan. 8 by an Edgewood Road caller reporting two suspicious men on her Ring camera. They told police they are contractors working for the caller. The caller was advised and said it was ok for them to be on the property. 

Just say no? A woman asked police not to ticket her after she hit a fire hydrant. (Next up: a woman asks chocolate bar not to make her gain weight.)

Don’t give me a ticket 

A caller Jan. 10 on Harcourt Road confessed she might have hit a fire hydrant. She didn’t hang around for the police. She then reported her car was disabled in front of the hydrant and asked police not to ticket her and said AAA was on its way, although it might take 90 minutes. The outcome of her request is unknown. 

What’s with the painted face? 

A caller Jan. 10 on Olmsted Road reported there was a woman in her 20’s yelling at staff and other patrons of their business. The woman was described wearing white face paint. Police arrived and asked her to leave, which she did. On Jan. 11 police returned to the business to assist in removing a patron, likely the same lady, who was previously barred from entering. She left again on police arrival. 

Fraudulent activity 

A Harvest Drive caller Jan. 11 reported identity theft via fraudulent activity on their credit card. Someone charged $640 for various items to a shipping address in Oregon. Her card holder canceled her card and said all the charges would be refunded. A report was made for documentation. 

Move it, buddy! Don’t park your car in front of someone’s driveway, okay?

Gave the nanny the keys 

A caller on School Lane Jan. 11 reported a black Audi they said was completely blocking their driveway. Police made contact with the vehicle’s owner who said his nanny was driving the car and she would move it. 

Just wavin’ his arms 

A man in an orange hoodie and wearing sunglasses was reported Jan. 11 standing in the intersection of Fenimore Road and Tompkins Road interfering with traffic. He was gone before police arrived. They drove around looking for the man, but didn’t find him. 

Bad parking 

A caller on Freightway Jan. 11 reported a car she rented was stolen from where she’d parked it. Police soon determined the car was impounded by Eastchester police because it was parked on the sidewalk in front of the caller’s house. The caller was advised. 

Burgled 

Burglary was reported Jan. 11 by a caller on Lincoln Road who said he arrived home and immediately saw his home was rummaged through and it looked like burglary. Multiple items were reported stolen. Grand larceny and criminal mischief were also reported. Police say the illegal entry and theft happened that day between 6 and 11 p.m. The incident is under investigation. 

Reunited and it feels so good A dog on the loose found its owner again (or vice versa).

Dog reunited with owner 

A loose dog was reported Jan. 12 by a caller who told police they were standing with the dog at Palmer Avenue and Lincoln Road. Police located the dog’s owner and the dog was returned. 

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