Harrison Police Blotter: April 30 - May 6

A reported arson, a driving while intoxicated and several drivers with suspended licenses are a part of this week's Harrison Police blotter.

Arson

On May 1 at about 4:05 a.m. Harrison Police responded to a brush fire between Crystal Street and Century Trail, near Veteran's Park. Upon arrival the Harrison Fire Department advised police that a tire had been set on fire in the area and that it appeared to be intentional.

There were also paper cups in the area indicating that a group of people could have possibly been drinking and setting fires.

The Harrison Fire Department put out the fire and cleared the scene, there were no arrests made and there are currently no suspects.

Driving With A Suspended License

On May 4 at about 6:10 p.m. Harrison Police stopped a vehicle for making an illegal left turn on Anderson Hill Road. When the officer made a computer check of the driver's license it revealed that the operator's license had been suspended for three speeding tickets in 18 months.

The driver, identified as 33-year-old Juliana Dasilveira, was cited at the scene.

Driving Without a License/Suspended Registration

On May 4 at about 8:05 p.m. Harrison Police stopped a vehicle on Anderson Hill Road for speeding. When police asked for identification the driver presented an identification card from Paraguay. The driver, identified in the report as 21-year-old Carlos Alfaro-Beczko, did not have a United States drivers license and the registration on the vehicle was also suspended.

Alfaro-Beczko was arrested at the scene and later released under his own recognizance with a return court date of May 16.

Driving While Intoxicated

On May 5 at about 4:20 p.m. Harrison Police noticed a vehicle leaning against a guard rail on the westbound lane of Westchester Avenue. When arriving police found the driver, later identified as 56-year-old John Rourke, asleep inside the vehicle. 

When the responding officer asked Rourke to step out of the vehicle he reported a strong smell of alcohol coming from the driver's breath. Rourke then failed a field sobriety test, according to the report. Police also found an open container of beer inside the car.

Rourke was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. A computer check at that time also revealed that the driver's license had been suspended in the state of Connecticut.

Rourke was released on $100 cash bail and given a return court date of May 18.

Driving With a Suspended License

On May 6 at about 1:45 p.m. Harrison Police stopped a vehicle on Halstead Avenue because the driver was using a cell phone while driving. A computer check of the operator's license revealed a suspended license as a result of unpaid out-of-state fines dating back to 2004.

The driver, identified as 73-year-old Bernard Kaitz, was cited at the scene and released under his own recognizance with a return court date of May 25.