Inside the Scarsdale Courthouse: Purse Snatcher Postponed

Here's a look at what happened during Scarsdale Court's April 21 session. Court is in session every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.

Walworth Street Mugging Suspect Still in Jail

Krystal Walters, 21, was arrested April 14 for allegedly mugging a woman on Walworth Street in Scarsdale. She is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, second-degree robbery and possession of stolen property.

Walters, who has an outstanding warrant in California for unknown charges, could not post bail and was still in jail during her expected court appearance Wednesday.

The case was adjourned to next week.

Drake Road Homeowner Must Demolish House Damaged in Gas Explosion

The interior of Seth Newlin's Drake Road home was damaged in a Jan. 2009 gas explosion, and the house has been vacant ever since. On Wednesday Newlin's attorney, Jeffrey Klein, was in court to answer to half a dozen housing code violations, including breaking the fire code and letting weeds overtake the front lawn.

Village Attorney Wayne Essanasson has given Newlin until June 23 to demolish the house, which is beyond repair.

Klein said he and Newlin have been working with the village's Building Department to obtain a demolition permit for the home. The Historic Preservation Committee has already approved the plan.

CVS Thief Sentenced to County Jail

Rudy Arcara of New Rochelle pleaded guilty to petit larceny after stealing several packages of deodorant from the CVS on Popham Road Feb. 3. A CVS employee called police and Arcara was arrested at the scene.

Arcara was sentenced to eight months in county jail. He was due in New Rochelle court Thursday to be sentenced in an unrelated larceny case.

Assault Suspect Arraigned, Case Adjourned

James Carl Hockemeyer, 47, is charged with third-degree assault after being arrested April 20. Details of the incident were not immediately available.

Hockemeyer was arraigned Wednesday and his case was adjourned to May 5.

Here's a look at what happened during Scarsdale Court's April 7 session. Court is in session every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.

Alleged 7/11 Thief in Rehab

Frank Fraioli, 44, is charged with petit larceny after allegedly stealing a few packs of gum from the 7/11 on Garth Road in November. Fraioli was not in court Wednesday because he has entered an inpatient drug treatment program upstate and won't be out until April 19, according to his attorney, Jeff Rice.

According to Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Adimari, Fraioli has a rap sheet that includes 53 convictions for various crimes, including drug possession and larceny. He has an outstanding larceny case in the Bronx as well. Because of his record, Adimari said, the DA's office is seeking the maximum jail sentence for the 7/11 case. But Rice wants probation for his client.

"His efforts [to stop using drugs] are better served outside than inside," Rice said.

"Well, he could go into the solutions program in jail," Adimari said, referring to a rehab program operated by the county.

The case was adjourned to May 12, when Fraioli is expected to enter a plea to the charge.

Convicted Drunk Driver Skips Probation, then Skips Court

Glenn Suarez, 28, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty last year to DWI, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and marijuana possession. He was sentenced to a year of probation, but failed to report to his probation officer as scheduled.

He was back in court last week to answer to the charge, but his attorney couldn't make the date because of a scheduled appearance in Eastchester. This time the attorney showed up, but Suarez didn't. The court sent him a warning letter and moved the case to next week.

Homeowner Back Again in Neglect Case

By now, Miriam Kahn should have her own office at village hall.

The elderly Garth Road resident was back in court for the umpteenth time Wednesday to answer to a number of housing code violations, including sanitation issues, illegal storage, and creating an electrical fire hazard at an unoccupied home she owns on Hampton Road.

Village Attorney Wayne Essanason said there have been numerous complaints about the unsightliness of the home and concerns about its security, as doors and windows have been found broken and unlocked. A car in the back of the house is covered with a blue tarp, and doesn't have an engine in it, he said. On March 11, Kahn was slapped with the additional charge of having an unregistered vehicle.

Kahn's sister told Essanason that they have found two prospective buyers for the home.

"They're making progress, but they still have some things to work out," said Court Clerk Judy Bromley.

The case was adjourned, once again, to April 28.

Owner of Home Damaged in Gas Explosion Faces Housing Code Violations

The interior of Seth Newlin's Drake Road home was severely damaged in a Jan. 2009 gas explosion, and the house has been vacant ever since. On Wednesday Newlin's attorney, Jeffrey Klein, was in court to answer to half a dozen housing code violations, including breaking the fire code and letting weeds overtake the front lawn. Klein said he and Newlin have been working with the village's Building Department to obtain a demolition permit for the home. The Historic Preservation Committee has already approved the plan.

"We're well along the road," Klein said.

Village Attorney Wayne Essanason said Newlin needs to shut off the water and gas lines to the home as soon as possible and return to court with a concrete time frame for demolition.