Police Blotter: 3 Drug Possessions, Disorderly Conduct and a DWI

Driving With a Suspended Registration

On July 30, at about 11:30 p.m., Harrison police stopped a vehicle traveling eastbound on Union Avenue after a license plate reader detected a suspended or revoked registration.

A computer check of the vehicle revealed that the vehicle's registration was suspended and the 21-year-old driver was arrested and processed at the scene.

Drug Possession

On August 2, at about 1:45 a.m., Harrison police stopped a driver on Buckout Road for driving erratically. When the driver opened her window to speak with police the responding officer reported a cloud of smoke smelling like marijuana exiting the vehicle.

The car had three other occupants, two of which admitted to smoking marijuana. Police then noticed a large clear bag containing several small bags that appeared to be marijuana. Christopher Betancur, 19, who was sitting in the passenger seat was placed under arrest at this time for unlawful possession of marijuana.

While in the back of a police cruiser Betancur admitted to police that the bag in the car belonged to him. He was processed and released at the scene, he is due in court on August 24. Police determined that the driver was not impaired in any way and was allowed to leave the scene as well.

Driving With a Suspended License

On August 2, at about 5:30 p.m. Harrison police stopped a vehicle traveling westbound on Westchester Avenue with no front license plate. 

A computer check of the driver's license revealed a suspension from May 2010 for failure to pay a driver responsibility assessment. The driver was placed under arrest and later released at the scene.

Driving While Intoxicated/Disorderly Conduct

On August 2, at about 9:30 p.m. Harrison police noticed a vehicle traveling eastbound on Westchester Avenue at a high rate of speed. While following the vehicle police observed it pass through a red light at the intersection of Westchester Avenue and Purchase Street. Police then stopped the vehicle near Polly Park Road.

While interviewing the driver after the stop, the officer at the scene noticed a large bottle of wine and a plastic cup filled with what appeared to be wine in the center cup holder of the vehicle. The driver, later identified as 62-year-old Gerald Lovito, had glassy eyes and was slurring his speech, according to the officer at the scene.

While police continued to speak with Lovito, one of the three passengers in the car, 43-year-old Timothy Roode, attempted to leave the vehicle. According to police Roode ignored requests to stay in the vehicle and verbally assaulted one of the responding officers. Roode was placed under arrest at this time for obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct.

Lovito was then given a field sobriety test which, according to officers, he failed. Lovito was at this time placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. He was transfered to Harrison Police headquarters where he consented to a chemical blood-alcohol test. The test revealed that Lovito had a blood-alcohol content of .18, more than twice the legal limit.

Lovito and Rood were both processed and released, Lovito is due in court on August 17, while Roode was issued a court date of August 10.

Broken Car Window

On August 3, at about 4 p.m., a woman reported that her car window on the rear passenger side had been broken by and unknown object. The woman told police she had left her car parked on Sunset Lane the previous night and noticed the broken window the next afternoon before calling police.

There was nothing missing from the vehicle and police have no suspects or witnesses at this time.

Driving With a Suspended License

On August 3, at about 7:20 p.m., Harrison police stopped a vehicle traveling westbound on Westchester Avenue after noticing an obstructed front window.

A computer check of the driver's license revealed a suspension and the driver was placed under arrest with a court date of August 24.

Unlawful Possession of Marijuana/Driving With a Suspended License

On August 3, at about 8:30 p.m. Harrison police stopped a vehicle traveling north on Webb Avenue with a broken headlamp. Police stopped the vehicle near Westchester Avenue.

A computer check of the driver, 24-year-old Emilio Escaladas, revealed a suspended license. At this time Escaladas was placed under arrest for aggravated unlicensed operation. 

While conducting an inventory check of the vehicle police noticed cigar tobacco fillings with possible marijuana residue on the front passenger side floorboard. Police deployed a K-9 search of the vehicle that turned up several bags and jars containing marijuana hidden in the vehicle.

Escaladas was also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and is due in court on August 17.

Driving With a Suspended License

On August 5, at about 7:45 p.m. Harrison police stopped a vehicle near Anderson Hill Road after an officer reported seeing it make three illegal left turns. 

A check of the driver's license revealed that his driving privileges in New York State had been suspended for failure to pay a driver responsibility assessment. The driver was placed under arrest, processed, and released at the scene.

Driving With a Suspended License

On August 6, at about 12:45 p.m., Harrison police stopped a vehicle backing up the wrong way on the shoulder of an entrance ramp to Interstate 287. 

A check computer check of the driver's license revealed that it had been suspended. The driver was issued a summons to Harrison court.

More Car Damage

On August 8, at about 10:45 a.m. a man reported small scratches on his car that had been left parked overnight on Archer Place. Police have no suspects or witnesses at this time.

Driving With a Suspended License

On August 9, at about 10:45 a.m., Harrison police stopped a vehicle near Lake Street after noticing the driver talking on a cell phone while driving. A check of the driver's license revealed a suspension.

The driver was placed under arrest and processed at the scene before being released.

Unlawful Possession of Marijuana

On August 10, at about 2:30 a.m., Harrison police stopped a vehicle traveling northbound on North Street after an officer reported seeing it cross a double yellow line.

While speaking to the driver, 19-year-old Marc Pecora, the officer at the scene reported the strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Pecora and a passenger were asked to exit the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle police found a small clear bag containing what they believe to be marijuana.

Pecora was placed under arrest for unlawful possession of marijuana. He was issued a court date of August 17.