By Staff

May 27, 2015:  Memorial Day weekend went by without a burglary in Bronxville, but there was illegal activity. Specialized patrol operations by the Bronxville Police in conjunction with the Tuckahoe and Eastchester Police Departments led to two arrests, and another arrest is imminent. All three individuals were from the Bronx. The illegal activity included the following, according to information provided by Bronxville Chief of Police Christopher Satriale:

• On Friday, May 22, at 12:37 am, a 20-year-old man from the Bronx was charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the 3rd degree (a class D felony). He was observed by Bronxville officers in possession of a stolen vehicle on Parkway Road. A short motor vehicle pursuit ensued and the man was apprehended on Lake Avenue. A 19-year-old woman from the Bronx who was a passenger in the motor vehicle was also charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the 3rd degree (a class D felony).

• Also on Friday, May 22, at 12:37 am, the driver of a second stolen vehicle at the above scene was identified by Bronxville police officers. The vehicle has been recovered and a third arrest is imminent.

• On Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, at 3:06 am, another 20-year-old male was charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the 4th degree (a class E felony) and petit larceny (a class A misdemeanor) after he was observed stealing items from a motor vehicle parked in a Sturgis Road driveway. A foot pursuit ensued and the man was taken into custody on Homesdale Road, where he was found to be in possession of stolen items from Sturgis Road as well as stolen items from a past crime committed in the City of Mount Vernon jurisdiction. Police are actively investigating the possibility that this individual was involved in the May 21, 2015, burglary of a home on Homesdale Road.

In the face of the recent burglaries, residents have asked what they can do to protect themselves. Chief Satriale provided a list of recommendations in a recent eAlert that included the following:

• activate your alarm systems at all times

• report suspicious activity to the police department

• employ all crime-deterrent measures available, including using motion-sensing lights on the exterior of your home, leaving interior lights on during evening and overnight hours, using surveillance cameras, securing all windows and doors to your home, and securing valuables out of plain view from doors and windows.

Chief Satriale told MyhometownBronxville that the police department has more than doubled the number of police officers on the 8:00 pm to 4:00 am shifts.

He also said that he is "encouraged by the illuminated homes" that he now sees in the evenings. "People should keep lights on in and out of their homes as well as security alarms and cameras activated," said Satriale. He noted that some systems have "panic buttons" that you can put right next to your bed and push immediately should there be an intruder.

In addition, Satriale said that he needs "more eyes and ears" and is requesting help from residents to report anything suspicious to the police department.

He noted that usually after a burglary, the Bronxville police talk with residents in the neighborhood to see if they noticed anything and often the residents say that they had noticed something but didn't think it was important. The chief has asked that if people see anything suspicious, even if they are not sure what they saw, they should report it. "If you see something, say something," he said.

Chief Satriale also noted that they have seen many more residents activating their alarm systems and encourages those without systems to get them. He also said that all alarm systems need to be registered with the police department. This enables the police to know that you have a system and what kind of system it is. As of now, the police are not issuing appearance tickets for unregistered systems but are asking people to please renew their permits at the police department or online at the following link: http://www.villageofbronxville.com/police-department/pages/alarm-permit-renewal-options.

Finally, with summer approaching, Chief Satriale said that residents can request to be put on a "vacant home" list and the police will check their unoccupied homes as time permits.

He also encourages those who are not current on the eAlert system to sign up by going to this link: http://www.villageofbronxville.com/home/pages/swift-911-portal.

Pictured here:  Bronxville Chief of Police Christopher Satriale.

Photo by A. Warner