Larcenies at the YMCA and Saxe, Lawn Furniture Stolen, Zira Strikes Again

Larceny at the YMCA

A 54-year-old Stamford resident told police $100 was missing from his wallet, which he had left in his car while he was at the YMCA on May 31.  The man returned to his locker around 11:30 a.m., and could not find his car keys, which he thought he had left on top of his clothes in the unlocked locker. Thinking he had left the keys in his car, he went to the parking lot, where he saw a man sitting in his 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. He approached the man, and asked what he was doing in the vehicle. The intruder, who was described as a white male, 6’2” tall, wearing a white tee shirt and blue shorts, said he must have grabbed the wrong keys, as he owns a similar car. The car’s owner asked the man to show him his car keys, and the two men walked into the Y together. As they approached the front desk, the intruder wandered off in the direction of the pool area. Police were called, but when they arrived the man could not be found. Police are conducting an investigation and will check the YMCA’s surveillance tapes.

Larceny at Saxe

On May 31, a maintenance manager at Saxe Middle School told police a number of pieces of equipment were missing from the school. He said he believes the pieces disappeared over a period of months. When a member of his staff went to look for an item on May 11, he discovered it was missing, and then realized other equipment was gone from various storage locations at the school. The manager told police he believes the items were taken prior to April 25.  Police are conducting an investigation.

The missing items are:

• Hot water pressure washer. Approximate value: $3,000
• Hilti rotary laser level. Value: $1200
• Two plastic folding tables. Value: each $75
• Air compressor. Value: $500
• Appliance hand truck . Value: $450
• Coleman portable generator. Value: $1,000
• Portable air conditioning unit.  No value given.

Tire Slashed on River St.

A 41-year-old River St. resident reported the left rear tire of his Ford Explorer was slashed while the vehicle was parked on the road in front of his home. He discovered the damage between 8:30-9 a.m. on the morning of May 31.

Patio Furniture Taken

On June 1, a 46-year-old resident of Weed St. reported to police that patio furniture, valued at $5,000, was missing from behind her residence. Gone are a cast aluminum table with a glass top and four matching chairs.  The pieces all have molded dolphin legs

Talking on Cell Phone, Charged With Narcotics Possession

On June 1 at 7:10 p.m., Nickolas B. Kowaleski, 21, of Northwooods Road, Stamford,  was charged with possession of less than four ounces of marijuana after he was stopped for talking on a hand held cell phone. An officer saw Kowaleski driving northbound on New Norwalk Road, talking on the phone. He was pulled over on Forest St., near Locust Ave. As the officer approached the car with K9 Zira, Kowaleski told him there was marijuana in the vehicle. A small plastic bag containing marijuana was recovered. An 18-year-old male passenger, also from Stamford, was in the vehicle with Kowaleski, who was released on a promise to appear. Kowaleski is scheduled to appear in court on June 9.

Warrant Service

Luis A. Mendoza, 43, of High Ridge Road, Stamford, turned himself in at New Canaan police headquarters on June 3, after a warrant was issued for failure to appear in court. Mendoza missed an April 27 court date, following a Feb. 10, 2011 arrest for driving without insurance and failure to use a turn signal. He posted $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on June 14.

 Narcotics Possession

Samuel G. Cromwell, 20, of Wells Hill Road, Weston, was charged with possession of less than four ounces of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to display a front plate on June 4. At 5:55 p.m. an officer stopped Comwell on New Norwalk Road near Little Brook Road when he saw the vehicle was missing a front license plate. As he approached the vehicle, the officer detected a strong odor of marijuana.  Cromwell handed over a small amount of marijuana and after searching the vehicle, the officer found a grinder with a small amount of marijuana. Cromwell was released on a promise to appear, and has a court date of June 16.