Court: Peeping Tom Ruled Mentally Unfit, Broom Attack Suspect Has Long List of Legal Troubles

A Port Chester man who was arrested for spying through the bedroom windows of a Grove Street home was declared mentally unfit to stand trial.

Francisco Lopez Oliveros, 42, of 17 Poningo Street was arrested Aug. 21 after police answered a call from a woman who said Oliveros was peering through first-floor windows at her house. It was her second call that day, and police had already tracked Oliveros down and given him a warning. A police spokesman said the man resisted arrest and was yelling loudly that he had done nothing wrong.

Oliveros initially entered a not guilty plea to charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, but was referred earlier this month to undergo a psychological evaluation. According to Judge Joseph Vita, Oliveros failed to pass two separate screenings.

"We have received examination reports prepared by two psychologists. Both doctors are of the opinion that the defendant is not competent to proceed," Vita said.

The charges were dismissed and Oliveros will now be transferred from the county jail to a facility operated by the Department of Mental Health.

Both the Assistant District Attorney and Oliveros' lawyer agreed with the ruling.

Graffiti Artist Shows Up Late, Case Adjourned

A Port Chester man who denies allegations that he's responsible for more than a dozen graffiti tags around the village missed his court appearance on Thursday.

Daniel Cordero, 20, is facing thousands of dollars in fines after being spotted plying his trade on Regent Street on Aug. 4. Unfortunately for Cordero, the witness is a retired police officer and former village trustee, and he called police and followed Cordero until officers arrived. Cordero was arrested and charged with 14 counts of making graffiti after police discovered at least that many of the tags, which read "Uno?". 

At his first court appearance in August, Cordero pleaded not guilty to all charges. His case was on for a hearing Thursday, but Cordero failed to show. He walked in to court towards the end of the morning, but his attorney had already left. The case was adjourned to next week.

Local Man's Felony Larceny Case Adjourned

A local homeless man who has been arrested by Port Chester police dozens of times over the last few years was back in court Thursday on felony larceny charges, but his attorney announced that she was not yet ready to argue her case.

Kip Hartman, 44, is accused of breaking into 200 William Street, an office building, on Aug. 18. Investigators recognized Hartman, who was already being held on a separate larceny case, from a surveillance video at the building.

The case was on for a felony hearing, but Hartman's attorney on Thursday said she was "still reviewing the security video" and wasn't prepared to argue the charges. The case was adjourned to Oct. 7.

Broom Attack Suspect has Issues with Immigration, NYC Courts

A Port Chester man accused of attacking his roommate with a broom stick is also facing charges in New York City and has issues with his immigration status, attorneys said on Thursday.

Israel Paciensia, 23, of William Street allegedly entered his roommate's bedroom on the night of Sept. 21 to ask for a cigarette. The roommate, who was with his girlfriend, told Paciensia to leave and, when he refused, pushed him out of the room. The couple then left the apartment and when they returned Paciensia hit the victim in the face with a broom stick, leaving him with a swollen left eye, according to police reports.

Paciensia pleaded not guilty to one count of third-degree assault, a misdemeanor. Assistant District Attorney Grant O'Donnell said the suspect is tangled up in New York City courts on a false impersonation charge, and he will likely face federal immigration court when his other legal woes come to an end. The case was adjourned to Oct. 7.

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