Convicted Sex Offender Living in Area

A convicted sex offender is now living in Rye Brook after serving almost 10 years in state prison for attacking and raping a woman in 2001.

Rye Brook Police recently released a community notification alerting residents that 31-year-old Michael Vitarello, a Rye Brook native, is now living in the community again after being released from prison sometime around March 19.

Vitarello, who now resides on Highview Avenue in Rye Brook, is classified as a level 3 sex offender, which means that the risk to the community is high.

Rye Brook Police Lieutenant Eugene Matthews said the department is not required by law to release information about sex offenders in the community, but can do so at its own discretion. He said the department thought it was best to alert residents because of Vitarello's status as a level 3 offender.

According to the New York State Sex Offender Registry, Vitarello was arrested by Bronxville Police in April 2002 for raping a 20-year-old woman.

Local news reports at the time stated that Vitarello later pled guilty to raping the woman at a townhouse on Sagamore Road in Bronxville where he worked.

He drove the victim to several locations and continued to attack her, resulting in the woman spending more than a week in the hospital.

According to the sex offender registry, Vitarello's crime involved kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment, the use of a knife, and excessive force, including hitting the victim with his fist and hand and physically overpowering her.

The conditions of Vitarello's release state that he is to remain under supervision until August 2011.

Vitarello, who is described as having a tattoo on his left arm and scars on his left and right wrists, is not allowed to come in contact with any children under the age of 18 and cannot frequent bars or other places selling alcohol.

Other conditions of his release include participation in sex offender treatment and alcohol abuse programs. Vitarello also has to submit to a curfew and cannot have a driver's license.