'Stay Alert,' Police Urge Vigilance After Car, Home Break-In Arrests

NORTH CASTLE, NY — A string of crimes of opportunity have police in a Westchester town reminding neighbors to be aware of suspicious activity and to look out for each other.

On April 19, a resident of North White Plains was away on vacation when someone entered her home illegally and stole $11,000 in cash. The North Castle Police Department launched a two-week-long investigation, resulting in the arrest of a 33-year-old man from North Arlington, New Jersey for the burglary and grand larceny.

North Castle police said that on Wednesday evening, an alert resident in the Whipporwill area of North Castle noticed two men attempting to steal his vehicle out of his driveway. The homeowner called the North Castle Police Department, who immediately started searching for the interrupted would-be car thief.

In addition, two vehicles were stolen out of driveways within the Town of North Castle over the past weekend. In both instances, the vehicles were unlocked, with the key inside of the vehicle, according to police.

The car thefts prompted police to take to social media to urge residents to take a few common sense precautions, including taking the vehicle's key fob when leaving the car unattended.

Police said that in almost all stolen vehicle reports the North Castle Police Department handles, the key fob was left inside of the vehicle and the car was unlocked.

"This message is to remind residents to please stay alert, and to take all proper precautions necessary to safeguard your property," police wrote. "If you observe any suspicious activity in or around your neighborhood, contact the North Castle Police Deparment and we will promptly investigate."