'Swatting' Call Leads To Armed Response At Home: Garden City PD

GARDEN CITY, NY — The Garden City Police Department reported the following incidents for the week ending Feb. 16.

Feb. 10

• A truck traveling southbound struck the Cherry Valley bridge. The driver was charged with disregarding bridge clearance signs and uninsured operation.
• Upon investigation of a person attempting to cash a forged $9,200 check at TD Bank, officers arrested a 60-year-old man for four counts of possession of a forged instrument, attempted grand larceny and identity theft.
• As a result of a traffic investigation on Washington Avenue, officers arrested a 44-year-old man for two counts of possession of a controlled substance (heroin, Xanax), improper plates, unregistered auto, and passing a red light.
• Police and firefighters responded to a residence for a carbon monoxide leak. The area was deemed safe. No injuries were reported.

Feb. 11

• Officers responded to the Garden City Library where white powder was found inside a book. NCPD Emergency Services responded to the scene. Upon investigation, the book did not appear to be hazardous and was removed from the scene.
• A resident received a phone call from a man claiming to be his son who claimed he was in an accident in another state and required money to be wired to him for bail. The resident realized it was a scam after being in contact with his real son who stated he was not involved in an accident. There was no monetary loss.

Feb. 12

• As a result of a traffic investigation on Ring Road, officers arrested a 21-year-old man for driving with 11 license suspensions, driving southbound in the northbound lanes, improper plates, unregistered vehicle and uninsured vehicle.
• Officers responded to Franklin Avenue for a suspicious box at a bus shelter. Upon investigation, the box was determined to be trash and was disposed of.
• A vehicle’s rear quarter panel was reportedly damaged while parked in Parking Field 8.

Feb. 13

• A truck company was cited for the operation of a large tractor trailer on Old Country Road while 25,000 pounds overweight as well as violations for an unsecured roll-off container, a diesel leak and defective tires.
• At 6:03 p.m., police received a phone call from a man who stated he had just shot his brother inside their Garden City home. Officers immediately responded. A perimeter was established and officers were eventually able to enter the home and determine all occupants were uninjured and were apparently victims of a “swatting" incident. The investigation is ongoing as to the origin of the false report.

Feb. 14

• Police investigated a report of a vehicle entry on Kingsbury Road. There was no loss reported.
• Police and firefighters responded to a residence for a carbon monoxide alarm activation. Assistance was rendered without incident.
• A driver was charged with excessive speed on Rockaway Avenue at 1st Street and driving with a suspended license.

Feb. 15

• A driver was charged with excessive speed on Stewart Avenue at Coventry Place and driving with a suspended registration. Another driver was charged with driving a commercial vehicle on Stewart Avenue in a no commercial vehicle zone as well as driving with a suspended license.

Feb. 16

• Officers arrested a 48-year-old man for the theft of multiple items from CVS. He was charged with petty larceny as well as a fugitive from justice due to an outstanding Probation Warrant from Connecticut.
• During the course of the week, officers investigated nine reports of victims’ identities being stolen to file false unemployment claims.