Following a recent string of burglaries and larcenies in the last six weeks throughout Westchester County, local and state are reminding residents to keep their vehicles and homes locked.

Major Michael A. Kopy, Troop K Commander, reports that Weschester County police have been actively working to prevent and solve numerous unrelated burglaries and car thefts throughout the county; the Bedford police department has been conducting similar investigations.

The incidents have taken place during daytime hours and on weekdays. In many cases, the suspects entered homes through unlocked windows. In one case a resident accidently grabbed the burglar's leg while he was hiding in her closet. Jewelry and cash were the most common items stolen.

Police advise locals to secure all doors and windows, even when home, and to remove valuables from being in plain view. If you see unusual activity, report it to your state police at 914-788-8044 and Bedford police at 241-3111.

Recent arrests

$50,000 in jewelry stolen from Bedford home

A burglar entered a second-floor window of Harris Road residence on Oct. 13 via a ladder left in the yard and stole over $50,000 in jewelry from the master bedroom, according to Bedford police.

The residents reported the jewelbry missing on Oct. 14. They told police they were home at the time of the theft which occurred between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. the night before, when they heard the family dog barking and noises coming from the upstairs. They saw a bedroom window screen out of place, and the ladder up against the house and called police. The incident is still being investigated. 

Pound Ridge burglar nabbed

Over the past four to six weeks several burglaries have been reported. In most of the cases, suspects stole jewelry from bedrooms. State police in cooperation with the Pound Ridge Police Department arrested Eugene Frangella, 26, after a house alarm was activated on Horseshoe Hill Road.

A neighbor—who had also been recently burglarized—said he heard the alarm sounding and saw a man leaving the house and enter nearby woods. The witness described the man, who police later identified as Frangella, a Pound Ridge resident. Frangella admitted to the burglaries, police said.

Police linked him to at least five homes recently burglarized in the area, three of which he had returned to and a second time. Some items had been recovered at the time of Frangella’s arrest. He was charged with eight counts of second-degree burglary.

Cortlandt burglars arrested

State Police in Cortlandt arrested 27-year-old Robert Jakaitis and 26-year-old William Desantes last week following an intensive investigation into multiple daytime residential burglaries in the Lake Allendale section of Cortlandt. During the last three weeks, residents in the area reported cash and jewelry missing.

Brett L. Augustowski, of Lake Peekskill allegedly broke into a home just before 7 a.m. Tuesday, and was found by one of the homeowners, rummaging through the home's garage. Family members held the suspect at the scene until troopers arrived a few minutes later.

Peeksill police arrested Cordell Rhoden Monday afternoon for the alleged Oct. 14 robbery of the GameStop store in the city’s Beach Shopping Center. Rhoden was recognized from the composite sketch drawn after the robbery, while walking into city court for an unrelated charge.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office 22-year-old Valerie Stanzione last week for allegedly stealing $3,000 worth of jewelry from a Putnam Valley home.

Anyone with information connected to thefts from vehicles are encouraged to contact the State Police BCI at 914-788-8044.