Lewisboro Police Blotter: Fewer traffic accidents, but more bears

SOUTH SALEM, N.Y. - A close encounter with bears at a Lewisboro residence and relatively few traffic accidents marked the latter half of August for Lewisboro Police.

The bear incident took place Tuesday, Aug. 18, at a South Salem home. Two bears were on the homeowner’s deck, rummaging through a garbage pail. One of the officers activated a siren, causing the bears to run into the wooded area adjacent to the house.

A report of excessive noise prompted Lewisboro Police to visit a South Salem residence Friday afternoon, Aug. 28. A neighbor’s son had been riding a dirt bike in the backyard, resulting in excessive noise, but had remained on the property. The officer informed the homeowner that Lewisboro has no ordinance restricting noise during that time of day. The officer then spoke with the neighbor, noting that a complaint could be filed but that no town ordinance had been violated.

On Aug. 17, Lewisboro Police responded to a report of a disabled tractor-trailer on Route 35 in Cross River. The responding officer instead found a white pickup truck with a small attached trailer parked on the westbound shoulder, with cones in the roadway behind it. A worker at the scene said his crew needed to pump sewers behind houses at The Meadows, which could be accessed only from the rear, and that the process would be quick.

On Tuesday, Aug. 18, police responded to the Acme supermarket in Goldens Bridge after a vehicle drove over the curb and sidewalk area, proceeded through a flower display and struck a large window. The vehicle also struck another car, damaging its left quarter panel. The vehicle’s operator said the car had lurched forward but was unsure how it happened. The operator was evaluated by EMS but refused medical attention.

Lewisboro Police responded to just one other vehicular accident during late August: a hit-and-run in South Salem on Aug. 25. The complainant came to Lewisboro Police headquarters to report that she had been driving east on Route 35 when she was sideswiped by a truck that crossed a double-yellow traffic line. The accident damaged the front-left fender and bumper of her vehicle, as well as the driver’s-side mirror. The driver’s-side door was also difficult to open.

Through a license-plate search, police located an orange truck that had traveled along that stretch of Route 35 at approximately the same time. Its owner brought the truck to Lewisboro Police headquarters. The vehicle had minor marks on its rear bumper, but the owner produced documentation showing that the marks were from an earlier incident. No other damage corresponded to the Route 35 accident.

Police responded to a road blockage on Post Office Road in Waccabuc Friday, Aug. 28. A large tree had fallen across the roadway, taking out several wires in the process. The responding officer immediately closed the roadway from the south and lit flares. Two hours later, New York State Electric and Gas crews arrived at the scene and took over.

Vehicle Impoundments

Despite the small number of accidents, Lewisboro Police conducted several vehicle impoundments during the latter part of August.

Sunday, Aug. 16: A Lewisboro officer patrolling westbound on Route 35 in Cross River spotted a car with a broken brake light and darkly tinted windows. After stopping the vehicle, the officer requested the driver’s license and registration. The driver produced an identification card from Guatemala. An eJustice inquiry confirmed that the driver had no license and that the car’s registration matched a different vehicle. The driver also lacked insurance. The driver received five tickets, and the car was impounded by Sal’s Towing. Police also confiscated the vehicle’s license plate.

Friday, Aug. 21: An officer traveling east on Route 35 in Cross River saw a car with Indiana temporary tags and a tinted plate cover. After stopping the vehicle, the officer asked the driver for his license. The driver produced a Connecticut photo permit. The driver received two tickets, while the owner was issued one ticket for improper credentials. Sal’s Towing removed the vehicle.

Sunday, Aug. 23: An officer stopped a car on Route 138 in Goldens Bridge for traveling 65 mph in a 35 mph zone. An eJustice check revealed that the driver’s license had been suspended in May for failure to answer a summons. The vehicle was a rental, and the driver was delivering packages. Sal’s Towing impounded the vehicle, and the driver received two tickets.

Saturday, Aug. 30: An officer conducting surveillance while parked near East Street in South Salem observed a van passing with a dark-tinted license plate cover. After stopping the vehicle, the officer requested the driver’s license and registration. The officer also noted that a man in the passenger seat was not wearing a seat belt and that multiple occupants were in the rear of the vehicle. The driver handed the officer a photo ID from Nicaragua. An eJustice check revealed that he had no license and that the vehicle was unregistered and uninsured. Sal’s Towing impounded the vehicle, and the driver received four tickets.