Update: 2 Yonkers Teenagers Arrested in Ardsley for Multiple GPS Thefts

Two Yonkers teenagers were Arrested in Ardsley last night for stealing GPS units from parked cars, said Ardsley police department's Detective Ron Perkins.

Hernan Becerra, 17, and Nicholas Moore, 16, were apprehended just after 3:15 a.m. on August 24 after a resident of Taft Lane alerted police to criminal activity in their neighborhood.

"We can definitely link these individuals to crimes in Hastings and Harrison because we were able to track the serial numbers on the GPS units to victims in both of those towns," Perkins said. "There are still a couple yet to be identified, however, because owners must have their serial numbers accessible in order to make a positive identification."

Last night, a total of eight GPS units and one iPod were stolen, and police have determined three came from Hastings, two from Harrison, one from Ardsley and suspect another came from Dobbs Ferry.  

While police cannot definitively link Becerra and Moore to thefts on previous nights, they are fairly certain this was not their first offense.

"There were definitely more than one group of thieves out last night, because Greenburgh also reported car larcenies last night," Perkins said.

Becerra and Moore are scheduled to appear in Ardsley Village Court Monday, September 13.  

Original story:

On Sunday night, August 22 Hastings police reported 17 cars broken-into and ransacked, with a approximately eight GPS units stolen.

Dobbs Ferry police also reported four cars parked on the street to have been entered illegally that night, with one GPS unit taken.  Irvington reported no break-ins. 

Though all four Dobbs Ferry residents reported not remembering whether they had locked their cars, Hastings police said nearly every victim in their village admitted not to have locked their vehicles.

"People are making it too easy for burglars to break into their homes and cars," Chief David Bloomer, of Hastings police, said. "You've got to make it inconvenient for the thieves."

Streets hit hardest in Hastings were: Stanley Avenue, with eight vehicles entered; Clinton Avenue, five vehicles; Southgate Avenue, two vehicles; and Kent Avenue and Mount Hope Boulevard, each with one.   

"When this sort of thing happens, it happens in spurts," Bloomer said. "That's why we caution people to lock their cars every night; you never know which nights the burglars will be out."

Sargent Gregory Vince, of the Dobbs Ferry police, added that in addition to removing GPS units, car-owners should remove the wires and stands as well.

"If thieves see anything related to a GPS unit, they are more likely to enter that car and search for the device, believing it might be hidden somewhere in the vehicle," Vince said.  

To report a break-in or any other crime, call Hastings police at: (914) 478-2344 and Dobbs Ferry police at: (914) 693-5500.  In an emergency, call 911.