West Harrison Man Accused of Assault in Katonah

Bedford police have arrested a 19-year-old West Harrison man in connection with  in Katonah on May 14.

The victim of the assault alleged that a group of youths attacked him while he was smoking outside of his home. He said that he knew his assailants, who punched and kicked him, resulting in severe injures requiring medical attention. 

Two males were arrested on May 19 for the attack: a 17-year-old North Salem resident, charged with second-degree assault, and an 18-year-old South Salem resident, charged with second-degree assault with intent to injure, first-degree gang assault and first-degree burglary causing physical injury.

The West Harrison man was arrested on May 27 in White Plains, said Bedford police Lieutenant Jeffrey Dickan. "He was identified as a suspect during the initial investigation and picked up in White Plains," he said. The 17-year-old was charged with second degree assault/intent to physically injure, first-degree gang assault, and first-degree burglary causing physical injury. He was remanded to the Westchester County Jail.

Ed Kelley, the owner of the rental properties on Hillside Avenue in Katonah where the incident took place, said he was unaware of the incident. "We have a single mom with two kids who have lived there for 8 or 9 years, and a teacher, who has lived there for 4 or 5 years," he said. "We've heard nothing negative about those tenants."

Some neighbors have expressed concern about the assault and other recent police activity. 

"Our family moved to Katonah for the excellent schools and walkable, safe neighborhood," said Robin Tropiano. "I've seen police and detectives on our street twice in recent weeks, and luxury cars with young people at the wheel coming and going at all hours from a very secluded part of Hillside. It's alarming, and discomforting."

Prior to the assault on May 14, police records show one other incident reported in 2011, for a missing person. The resident's daughter was reported missing but found at a friend's house in Mt. Kisco later that morning.

In 2010, a domestic incident was reported and in 2009 one disturbance was reported resulting in no arrests.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story identified the 19-year-old from West Harrison as a youth when, in fact, he is 19. The error has been fixed.