A Fieldstone Drive man told police Nov. 22 he responded to a command on his computer telling him to “Call Microsoft” and was soon connected to a scammer to whom he granted access to his computer, resulting in substantial financial loss. He followed a series of directions involving his purchase of Bitcoin before realizing he was being scammed. He told police he’s only out $2,500, which is fortunate as he withdrew $15,000 from one of his accounts before realizing what was happening. He has since contacted Bitcoin to file a fraud claim. A police report was made for documentation only.
A Fort Hill Road man Nov. 15 reported receiving a utility bill for $850 charged to an address in the Bronx. The bill was marked overdue and the man told police while he once did live at that address more than 10 years ago, he did not live there during the unpaid billing period. The utility advised him to make a police report. He was advised by police to monitor his accounts for evidence of identity theft and fraud.
A small, tan terrier was found Nov. 15 on S. Central Avenue. Police said it had a microchip but the chip wasn’t registered. The dog was taken to the humane society.
A large brown Labrador retriever, reported as “very friendly,” was found Nov. 16 on Jackson Avenue. The dog had no microchip and was taken to an animal shelter.
Police responded to a store on S. Central Avenue Nov. 17 after a caller said her purse was stolen while she was shopping for Christmas decorations. Inside her wallet were car keys, $50 in cash and credit cards. According to the police report, her car, parked in the lot, was undisturbed. Soon after she discovered her purse was gone she was alerted of a new charge on her credit card for nearly $2,000, made at a shopping club in Elmsford to which she doesn’t have a membership. Store video showed two men distracting her while one of them stole her purse. One man was wearing a diamond earring. Store security video was turned over to police.
Battled the Instacart driver
A Lynwood Road woman Nov. 17 reported she was being harassed by an Instacart driver whom she said threw items at her. The complainant said the driver, a woman, called her “white trash” and, because she felt unsafe, she took the driver’s picture. She told police the driver deliberately either bumped her or shoved her while she was taking the picture.
Police spoke with the driver who said there was some confusion about the delivery and that she did drop some of the client’s items, but didn’t throw them. She denied any physical contact. Both parties were advised the incident would be documented. No injuries were reported nor groceries damaged.
A pharmacy on E. Hartsdale Avenue Nov. 18 reported a dark-skinned man in a red hat entered the store via the employee entrance, rode a conveyor belt to the basement where he filled a black garbage bag with $1,470.85 of unpaid items and then left the store. Police have video of the entire incident and are investigating.
Police returned to the same pharmacy on E. Hartsdale Avenue Nov. 19 after it was reported a man dressed in black filled a gray backpack with more than $1,000 in merchandise which he stole. Video of the theft will be sent to the detective division.
A woman reported stealing an apple pie Nov. 19 from a grocery store on S. Central Avenue was chased by store security, as was her partner in crime, a man store management said stole $266 in groceries. On their way out, the man dropped the items he was carrying but the woman left with the pie.
The man, 40, was caught and taken to police headquarters for processing. He was issued a summons to appear in court on Dec. 18. While in police custody, it was learned he has outstanding warrants for his arrest by New York City police who were notified but declined to extradite him.
Police were back at the same grocery store Nov. 20 after it was reported a woman recognized by store security from facial recognition software returned and tried to commit shoplifting again. This time she entered the store with an empty shopping cart, which she proceeded to fill. Store security stopped her as she was leaving the store. She abandoned $500 of unpaid merchandise, walked away, and got into a white Lexus, headed toward Yonkers.
A phone store on N. Central Avenue reported Nov. 21 a man entered the store, damaged a display shelf, and walked out with an iPad Pro, case and keyboard valued at more than $1,400. He was described as wearing a beanie and a blue puffer jacket. He fled on foot. Eight witnesses saw him pull out a knife to cut the cord securing the device to the display shelf. The store said it would press charges.
Driving while intoxicated
A man, 58, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated Nov. 22 on N. Central Avenue after police observed him unable to maintain his lane of traffic and failing to signal while changing lanes. Police said his speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot during a traffic stop. A large, empty bottle of vodka was seen on the front passenger seat.
The man was initially unable to produce his driver’s license or any paperwork and professed to not speak English. Eventually he found his wallet in his pocket and produced identification. A Spanish-speaking officer was requested from White Plains. Field tests were conducted and the man was arrested and taken to headquarters for processing. He was scheduled to appear in court Nov. 28.
A grocery store on S. Central Avenue Nov. 24 reported that a man in a tan Nike sweatsuit, black knit cap and black mask fled the store in a white Alfa Romeo after stealing high-end vitamins, over the counter medications and a quantity of shampoo. The store estimated he stole merchandise worth between $500 and $800. A license plate reader at Ardsley Road and Central Avenue picked up the car, but was unable to obtain pertinent information as the rear plate was blacked out and there was no front plate. A report was made for documentation.
Police returned to the grocery store on S. Central Avenue Nov. 28 when a man in a brown and gray jacket and gray pants stole more than $400 in grocery items before being stopped by store security, at which time he abandoned the stolen goods and ran down Ardsley Road. All the stolen items were recovered. Police looked for the thief without result.
Police returned to the store later that day for a report of stolen Tide laundry pods. A thief was stopped by store security who recovered the detergent, although the thief took off on foot.
A beauty store on N. Central Avenue reported Nov. 26 perfume valued at approximately $800 was stolen by two men who got into a dark sedan and fled southbound. Witness statements were taken and a report was made. The store said it would press charges if the thieves were caught.
A man, 39, was arrested Nov. 25, charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree on Central Avenue.
This report, covering Greenburgh police activity in Edgemont and Hartsdale from Nov. 15 to Nov. 29, was compiled from official information.