Police Blotter: Rapist Arrested, Employee Steals Money From Diner, Men Caught With Drugs

June 11

2:25 a.m. Robert M. Farrante, 21, of Morningview Drive was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, an unclassified misdemeanor as well as driving while intoxicated with BAC of .08 or greater, unclassified misdemeanor, speed not reasonable and prudent, a traffic infraction, failure to maintain lane, a traffic infraction and for making an improper left turn, a traffic infraction. Officer Sgroi responded to the scene after a Yorktown resident reported hearing a loud noise that sounded like an auto accident in the area of Underhill Avenue. Farrante is due in court on July 15 for an arraignment. 

11:50 a.m. Police arrested Damian A. Wallace, 24, of Mahopac, and charged him with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 3rd Degree, an unclassified misdemeanor, and following traffic violations, speeding, and unlicensed operation. At approximately 11:35 a.m. police officer Donald Peters was on patrol on East Main Street when he allegedly observed a tan Mercedes traveling at a high rate of speed. Upon investigation, police determined Wallace's NYS Driver's license was allegedly suspended. He was arrested at the scene and transported to police headquarters. Wallace was issued a traffic summons in reference to the charges and was released on $550 bail. He is due in court on July 13.

10:20 p.m. Police arrested 34-year-old Jason A. McKeever of Putnam Valley for driving while intoxicated and possessing a quantity heroin and a hypodermic needle. He is charged with Felony Driving While Intoxicated, and aggravated unlicensed operation of first degree, both class E felonies, as well Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance Seventh Degree, and Criminally Possessing a Hypodermic Instrument, both class A misdemeanors. McKeever is additionally charged with Unsafe Lane Change, and Failure to Comply with Police, both traffic violations.  According to police at 10:06 p.m. they received a call about an erratic driver operating a tan Crysler on Rt 6 at the Taconic Parkway. Officer Ryan Noone arrested McKeever at the scene and transported him to police headquarters. 

8:01 p.m. Police arrested Yorktown Heights residents David A. Satucci, 19, and Gerard E. Fedro, 19, who are charged with consumption of Alcohol in a public place, a town code violation. Also charged is a 17-year-old Yorktown Height resident, whose name is withheld due to his eligibility for youthful offender status, with consumptions of alcohol in a public place, a town code violation and disorderly conduct, a town code violation.

Officers Timothy Kolkman and Craig Scatola responded to the Triangle Shopping Center for a report of disorderly conduct in the parking lot. Investigation revealed defendants were consuming open containers of alcohol and jumping on parked vehicles in the parking lot. The defendant were placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. They were issued appearance tickets and are due in court on August 3.

8 p.m. Police arrested Jorge Luis Benitez Palacios, 26, of Mohegan Lake, and charged him with Grant Larceny in the third degree, class D Felony. Investigation revealed that the defendant, employee of the Mohegan Diner, allegedly stole $3,400 in cash from the office's drawer and concealed it in a locker. The defendant was identified with the assistance of the establishment's in house security camera system. The defendant was taken into custody and transported to police headquarters for processing. He was arraigned by Judge Gilbert and released after posting $2,500 cash bail.

12:58 p.m. Police responded to an alarm activation call at Radcliffe Drive. Upon investigation, they found an unlocked door. The house was secured by homeowner.

5:09 p.m. Police reported to a call of a stolen wallet from a vehicle while parked at Brookside School, 2285 Broad Street.

6:03 p.m. Police officer Timothy Kolkmann responded to a report from a Scenic View resident of stolen items from his car overnight. It was determined the car was left unlocked.

8:31 p.m. Officer Lawrence Paniccia responded to a call from Essex Fells Court about a sick looking coyote staggering in the roadway. The animal was gone upon arrival.

10:29 a.m. Kevin Peterson, 26, of Yorktown Heights was arrested in Somers for possession of drugs. Subsequent to a vehicle and traffic stop, Peterson was found to be under the influence of drugs. Further investigation revealed that he was also in possession of 17 bags of heroin, which weighed 4.5 grams; two used hypodermic needles, and 1 gram of marijuana. He was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd-Intent to Sell, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th, DWAI-Drugs, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument. He was arraigned in the Town of Somers Court and remanded to Westchester County Jail on $10,000 bail. Peterson is due back in court on June 28, 2010 at 5:30 p.m.

12:42 p.m. Detective Timothy Tausz arrested 29-year-old Darell M. Crawford Jr. of Spring Valley who is charged with criminal contempt 2nd degree, class A misdemeanor. At approximately 3:09 on June 12, a female resident of Quinaln Street appeared at police headquarter reporting a domestic incident which occurred an hour earlier while at her residence. Officer Kenneth Sgroi was assigned to the case and conducted an investigation, which revealed Crawford allegedly verbally harassed the Quinlan residence in violation of a Temporary Order of Protection. Crawford was arraigned by Judge Lagonia, who served him with a Temporary Order of Protection and released Crawford on his recognizance. He is due back in court on June 22 at 6 p.m. 

12:01 a.m. Police officer Kenneth Sgroi responded to a report of a black BMW doing donuts in the parking lot. The subject was gone upon arrival.

12:02 a.m. Police officer Kenneth Sgroi responded to a call of cars possibly drag racing on Rt. 118. The subjects were gone upon arrival. No violations were observed.

12:57 a.m. Police officer Claudine Rosenburgen responded to a report of an injured deer in the roadway between Rt. 6 and Mill Street. The deer ran off upon Police arrival.

12:30 p.m. Police report the arrest Frederick Portella, 44, resident of 3195 Court Street in Yorktown. He surrendered himself to Detective Timothy Tausz at police headquarters in the presence of his attorney. He is charged with Rape in the 3rd degree, class D felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, class A misdemeanor. He and Michelle Mace, 33, resident of 1106 Stonegate Road in Shrub Oak are accused of raping a 15-year-old girl.

According to police, on May 25, one of the Department's School Resource Officers informed that a student was sexually assaulted at a residence over the weekend. The School Resource Officer and Detective Timothy Tausz began an investigation, which revealed that on the evening of May 21, 2010, the 15-year-old female victim was babysitting at the Shrub Oak residence of Michelle Mace. Later that evening Michelle Mace returned home with a male, who was later identified as Frederick Portella. While inside the residence it is alleged that both Mace and Portella engaged in sexual conduct with the 15-year-old girl.