SOUTH SALEM, N.Y. - Lewisboro Police reported a quieter March compared to February, due in part to the absence of snowfall and the related accidents and disabled vehicles seen the previous month. Nonetheless, several noteworthy incidents occurred.
On Monday, March 2, a John Jay High School student, accompanied by her father, reported a suspicious encounter at police headquarters. Earlier that day, while walking home through the back gate of her condominium complex, she was approached by a man who offered her a ride, which she declined. Police later identified the man through his vehicle description. He stated he was attempting to be courteous due to the cold weather, noting the student was not wearing a jacket. Officers advised him not to approach students in this manner, and he agreed.
On Saturday, March 7, police investigated a fraud complaint from a South Salem resident who discovered her checking account had been overdrawn. A large fraudulent check had been drawn against her account to an unknown party. The bank’s fraud department initiated an investigation, credited the stolen funds, and arranged to close the compromised account and open a new one.
On March 10, an officer responded to a Route 123 resident who received a notice indicating her license plate had been recorded on another vehicle and charged tolls in New York City. The resident showed that her plate was properly affixed to her Mazda, while the notice included an image of what appeared to be the same plate on a Toyota Camry. The officer determined glare may have caused a misread by the toll camera. A search of a similar plate number through eJustice produced a photo of a Camry registered to a New York City resident.
A driving while intoxicated (DWI) arrest occurred after an officer observed an SUV driving erratically on Route 35. The vehicle was traveling slowly, pulling onto the shoulder, stopping intermittently, and twice swerving into the opposite lane. Upon stopping the vehicle, the officer detected a strong odor of alcohol. The driver admitted to having “a couple of ciders.” After failing a field sobriety test and registering over the legal limit on a breath test, she was arrested. The vehicle was impounded by Sal’s Towing, and she was issued seven tickets along with a court appearance summons.
On Thursday, March 26, officers responded to a report of a backyard fire at a Katonah residence during a statewide burn ban. The resident was informed of both the temporary ban and Westchester County’s permanent restrictions. He agreed to extinguish the fire.
On Friday, March 27, police stopped a vehicle traveling 60 mph in a 35 mph zone on Route 123 in South Salem. A check revealed the driver’s license had expired, and he was wanted by Ridgefield, Connecticut police on 11 counts of forgery and 13 counts of larceny. The vehicle was impounded by Sal’s Towing. The driver was transported to Lewisboro Police headquarters, arraigned, and remanded to Westchester County Jail pending extradition.
On March 30, a dog bite incident was reported in South Salem. A courier attempting to deliver a package was bitten on both calves by two dogs. Although the skin was not broken, bite marks were visible. The homeowner stated the dogs’ vaccinations were current and noted “No Trespassing” signs had been posted due to prior incidents. The courier was treated at the scene but declined further medical attention. A report was filed with the Westchester County Health Department, and the courier later agreed to provide additional information at police headquarters.
Despite fewer incidents overall, several accidents were reported:
March 4: A driver lost control on an icy road, struck a snowbank, continued through an embankment, and overturned into a stream. She was transported to Norwalk Hospital.
Later that day, a separate property-damage accident occurred on Route 35 in Cross River when one eastbound vehicle struck another. No injuries were reported.
March 5: A driver lost control on East Street near the Lewisboro/New Canaan border and struck a tree. No injuries were reported; Sal’s Towing removed the vehicle.
March 7: A southbound driver turning left off Route 123 cut off a northbound vehicle, resulting in a T-bone collision. One vehicle struck a guardrail and overturned onto its side. Both drivers were transported to hospitals with injuries.
A hit-and-run in Cross River occurred when an eastbound vehicle crossed the double yellow line and struck a westbound car, damaging its mirror and body. The driver was uninjured, but fog and lack of surveillance footage prevented identification of the other vehicle.
March 13: A driver veered off the roadway while turning onto Spring Street from Boutonville Road, landing in a ditch. She was uninjured and arranged for towing.
March 24: A driver was injured when black ice caused her vehicle to leave the roadway and overturn. She was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.
Vehicle Impoundments
March 4: A vehicle with an obscured plate was stopped on Route 35. The driver’s license was revoked and the registration suspended. The driver received three tickets; the registered owner was also cited.
March 5: A stop for a broken brake light in South Salem led to the discovery that the driver was unlicensed. The vehicle was impounded; both occupants received tickets.
March 8: A vehicle with New Jersey plates was found to be unregistered. The driver, who presented a foreign license despite residing in New Jersey, received three tickets.
March 11: A vehicle with expired Indiana registration and heavily tinted windows was stopped near the Vista Fire Department. The vehicle was impounded and the driver ticketed.
March 22: A vehicle with only a rear New Jersey plate was stopped on Route 35. The driver’s license had multiple suspensions. The vehicle was impounded and tickets were issued.
March 26: A driver stopped for a seatbelt violation was found to be unlicensed, and the plate did not match the vehicle. The vehicle was impounded and tickets issued.
March 27: A driver previously arrested for aggravated unlicensed operation was again found driving with a suspended license—this time with 21 suspensions on record. The vehicle had expired inspection and improper plates. It was impounded and multiple tickets were issued.
March 31: A vehicle with missing and mismatched plates was stopped on Route 35. The car had been unregistered since 2021, and the driver’s Connecticut license was suspended. The vehicle was impounded and the driver received five tickets.
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