enhanced video cam photo of an individual caught on a Yorktown resident’s property at 2 am
By Dan Murphy
We recently read a Facebook post from a Yorktown resident who had a visitor in her yard at 2 a.m. Dated April 19, the post from Carmella Natiello-Pervizi reads:
“Residents in Shrub Oak, Beware. This morning at 2:05, a brazen white male was on my property and talking with someone on the phone, taking pictures. I believe he is targeting and scouting houses in the area to rob at a later date. Have great video and pics, as my whole property has several levels of cameras and security. My property is located on 132. If anyone recognizes this man, please reach out to me and the police. The only concern that I have is that he missed meeting my 23-year-old son by 20 minutes coming home, and to think what could have happened if they had met up. Warning, kids too, and please share this post in the surrounding community. Be careful. Cops were notified.
Another post from Natiello, dated April 30, reads:
“Update on my post of the strange man lurking at my home in Shrub Oak. I had two people reach out to me privately who also had an incident encounter with this same man. Last week, this same man was in the Mohegan Lake area and actually wound up in someone’s kitchen at night, where he was chased by the neighbor and the owner to CVS, where he was questioned by the police and then released. No charges. It seems like the man has some mental issues and was looking for a woman named Melissa. He drives a black older-model Escalade with Florida plates and resides in Peekskill. So be on the lookout. Unfortunately, our Yorktown police did not give me any concrete information on this incident or his reasoning as to why he was at my home. I understand you need to protect people’s privacy, but at the same time, you need to inform the community you work and live in.
Legally, no crime was committed. Nothing was stolen. No one was assaulted, and as far as trespassing, you would think that has merit to bring someone in.
“But I was told even though you have no trespassing signs posted, you have to physically catch the person trespassing on your property at 2 in the morning and verbally in person tell them they are trespassing and to leave. This is idiotic and makes no sense. But laws need to be changed. I must say I respect the police officers, but am quite disappointed that I was given the vaguest information from the Yorktown police department through an email, and nothing was brought to me until I came to them with the information and questioned it. I think we can do better to support our citizens. I believe Yorktown police should put out a general warning to residents to ease people’s minds. I was told they will be patrolling the area. I am keeping all names private out of respect. Thank You.”
The Yorktown Police Department has not released any formal information or public safety notice about this individual to date.
“We spoke to Natiello-Pervize, whose greatest concern is that the police need to warn the community and give out some information; people are scared. I respect the police, but the community is upset with them not giving any information, and I can’t blame them. “
Natiello-Pervizi has posted the yard camera videos in her post, which can be found at https://www.facebook.com/carmella.natiello
She had someone create the color image in this story from her yard cam footage.
We share Natiello-Pervizi’s concern and believe the public deserves as much information as possible. However, the Yorktown Police Department is limited by law in what it can disclose, especially in cases involving individuals who have not been convicted.
But one Westchester law enforcement source we spoke to shared our view that the Town or the Yorktown Police could have clarified their response with a statement such as: “We have received reports of an individual walking on homeowners’ private property during the late evening and early morning hours. Please remain vigilant and lock your doors. Specific dates and neighborhoods affected could also be included.”
We understand that this individual cannot be “picked up” by the police if he has not committed a crime.
Some have posted about a possible “mental illness” piece to these incidents. While that appears to be the case, we don’t even know this person’s name. But this individual is driving a car around Yorktown late at night and intruding on residents.
We reached out to the YPD for comment and filed a FOIL request, but did not receive specific information.
