Officers from the Scarsdale Police Department received a call at approximately 6:50 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19, from a local resident reporting that a man - later identified as Astoria resident Stanley Dejusus-Cruz from Queens - was seen rummaging through a parked car on Pinecrest Road.
Police said that Dejusus-Cruz was seen in the driveway entering a Buick Enclave that was parked in a driveway. When he emerged from the vehicle approximately a minute later, he had a white bag under his arm. Dejusus-Cruz then attempted to enter a second vehicle in the driveway unsuccessfully.
According to police, Dejusus-Cruz intentionally caused damage to one of the vehicles, snapping an antenna off, which he allegedly attempted to use to gain access to the vehicle, causing additional damage. The caller stated that Dejusus-Cruz then left the driveway and walked down Pinecrest Road.
Dejusus-Cruz was located shortly thereafter on Brookline Road, and after he was stopped by officers, he stated that he was at a family member’s home and was looking for his car and girlfriend because he was lost. Dejusus-Cruz was unable to provide an address for the alleged family member’s home.
After being taken into custody, police recovered two New York State driver’s licenses from Scarsdale residents in Dejusus-Cruz’s pockets. Investigators said that they confirmed that Dejusus-Cruz was the suspect who was seen entering and attempting to break into the vehicles on Pinecrest Road and he was taken into custody.
Other overnight vehicle break-ins were reported on Tisdale Road, Woods Lane, Edgewood Road, Lockwood Road, Overhill Road, Taunton Road, Southwoods Lane, Tunstall Road, Circle Road, and South Church Lane.
According to police, while he was in the back of a patrol car following his arrest, Dejusus-Cruz “began to scream and yell, calling officers on scene numerous profanities and threatening officers on scene with violence. (Dejusus-Cruz) started acting belligerent and kicking the inside of the patrol vehicle continuing to curse and call officers profanities.”
Dejusus-Cruz was arraigned in Scarsdale Village Court and charged with a felony count of criminal mischief and petit larceny, a misdemeanor. Following his arraignment, Dejusus-Cruz was remanded to the Westchester County Jail without bail. No return court date has been announced.
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