Courts: Man Followed Woman Home From Bar Before Attack

A homeless man lashed out at his attorney and the court during his sentencing Thursday, claiming he routinely gets harsh punishments for his frequent arrests in Port Chester.

Kip Hartman, 44, will spend five months in county jail after a felony burglary charge was reduced to misdemeanor petty larceny. But Hartman said he's still not happy, and claimed his lawyer told him he'd get a low-level trespassing charge.

"I just want to stop being arrested for things, told that the charges are going to be reduced, and being instructed by my attorney to plead guilty to something I did not do," Hartman told the judge.

"I just want it to stop."

Hartman was accused of stealing two drills worth $250 from Western Tool Supply on Midland Avenue last year. He was originally charged with burglary, a felony, but pleaded guilty in March to petty larceny, a misdemeanor.

Hartman was due for sentencing in early June, but never showed up for court. The court issued a bench warrant, and on June 25 a Port Chester police officer recognized the homeless man on the street and arrested him.

On Thursday Hartman claimed his attorney, Tom Gizzo, told him in March that the charges would be reduced to trespassing and discouraged him from seeking a jury trial in the matter.

Judge Joseph Vita sentenced Hartman to six months in county jail less the 29 days he has already served, and $205 in fines and fees. Hartman will submit a DNA sample to the state for the misdemeanor conviction.

Young Port Chester Man Sentenced to 90 Days for Trespassing

Manuel Antonio Monterroso pleaded guilty on Thursday to criminal trespassing.

He admitted that on April 6 he entered a private home at 82 Pearl Street without permission.

Monterroso was originally charged with attempted burglary, but the district attorney's office couldn't prove the charges.

He was also charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of stolen property, stemming from a separate incident, but that charge was satisfied by his guilty plea.

Monterroso was sentenced to 90 days in county jail and ordered to pay $100 in restitution to the owner of the home.

Judge Vita noted that the young man "has other detainers," meaning he's facing other serious charges that could add months to his jail sentence.

Man Accused of Drunken Harassment is Released

Manuel Tejada, 36, of Port Chester faces disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges after an outburst at La Pupusa Loca, a Salvadoran restaurant on Westchester Avenue.

A waitress and several diners told police Tejada was drunk and was harassing restaurant employees and patrons. He also gave police a hard time when they showed up to arrest him.

On Thursday, Tejada's attorney asked the judge to release his client, noting he has several brothers in the area. One of Tejada's brothers was supposed to attend Thursday's court hearing, but he wasn't in the courtroom when the case was called.

Judge Vita approved Tejada's release, but said he'd remain in custody until one of the brothers showed up to retrieve him. The case was adjourned to August 12.

Alleged Victim in Domestic Dispute Won't Pursue Charges

A few weeks ago, a Port Chester woman accused her boyfriend of physically trapping her in a domestic assault. On Thursday, she did an about-face, standing next to her boyfriend in court as she asked prosecutors to drop charges.

Efram Aguilar of Port Chester faces a misdemeanor harassment charge after allegedly restraining the woman and screaming at her. A neighbor called police to report the incident.

But on Thursday, the woman was by Aguilar's side and said she would not pursue the charges and didn't want an order of protection taken out on her behalf.

"She promised that she would speak to the DA's domestic violence people," the Assistant District Attorney said.

Judge Vita adjourned the case to August 12. Aguilar's charges could be reduced or dismissed altogether.

Adjournment for Duran in Stalking, Harassment Case

A Greenwich man is accused of following a Port Chester woman home from a bar, breaking into her home and trying to assault her, authorities said.

Cesar Duran, 22, of Greenwich is charged with two counts of harassment and unlawful imprisonment after allegedly following the victim home last weekend.

According to police, Duran was out drinking with the victim and other friends in White Plains. He followed the woman home, entered her apartment, and tried to assault her, but she fought off the attack.

After a lengthy sidebar Thursday between the attorneys and Judge Vita, Duran's attorney asked that the case be adjourned to August 5, and Vita consented.

Connecticut Man Accused of Violating Probation in DWI

Christian Alvarado Ponce DeLeon of Greenwich was arrested in Connecticut last week for drunken driving. He was serving out a three-year felony probation handed down by Port Chester Court, which stemmed from an unspecified felony conviction last year.

He was in court Thursday to answer to the charges, but Judge Vita said he wanted the DWI taken care of first.

"It's worthwhile to let the case be resolved in Connecticut before reaching a disposition here," Vita said.

The case was adjourned to September 16.

When You Gotta Go...

Two local men took the most expensive nature calls of their lives recently.

Christian Aguilar Tapia and Gonzalo Moha were both convicted Thursday of disorderly conduct, a violation which carries a penalty of $200 in fines and fees.

Both men were accused of urinating on Main Street last week, in separate incidents.

Moha was repentant.

"I will never do it again," he told the judge.

"Well you're going to do it again, just not in the street," Vita said.