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Larchmont police and fire chiefs report thefts, skimmer investigation and July 8 apartment fire; resident commends responders
Summary
Police reported vehicle thefts, a reported credit-card skimmer believed linked to a broader group, multiple vehicle-entry thefts and a $47,000 social-engineering loss; the fire chief described a July 8 apartment fire limited by sprinklers and updated marine-rescue readiness; a resident later thanked first responders for rapid care.
Police and fire leaders briefed the Village of Larchmont Board of Trustees on July 15 about recent public-safety incidents and department readiness.
Lieutenant Prodof said officers responded to multiple incidents in June and July: a Jeep Grand Cherokee stolen from a driveway was later recovered in Waterbury, Conn.; a credit-card skimmer was found at Tachiko And Sons Market on Palmer Avenue and detectives are investigating — the lieutenant said it is "believed to be part of a larger criminal organization" hitting supermarkets and gas stations in the Bronx and Westchester; there was an indecent-exposure arrest in Manor Park; and multiple unlocked-vehicle entries and a restaurant purse theft were reported. Prodof also described a social-engineering scam in which a resident handed over $47,000 in cash after receiving a phone threat about a compromised Social Security number. "These serve as a reminder to our local resident, so please lock your car doors and take any valuables out of your vehicle in the overnight hours," Prodof said.
The fire chief reported both Marine 34 (Boston Whaler) and Marine 43 (inflatable defender) are back in service and department members are training on rescue operations. He described the July 8 response to a commercial alarm at 2101 Palmer Avenue: crews arrived within minutes, the building was being evacuated and sprinkler systems limited the fire to balconies and kept damage to three dwelling units; there were no injuries. The chief said the incident underscored the importance of sprinkler systems and noted mutual aid from neighboring departments.
During public comment a resident praised the coordinated response to a June 13 medical emergency involving his wife and said responders were "marvelous"; the village administrator encouraged the resident to submit a letter of commendation that will be placed in personnel files.
No policy changes were enacted at the meeting; trustees heard the reports and thanked department staff.
