New Rochelle Police Shut Down North End Crack Den Next Door to Iona Prep

Written By: Robert Cox


New Rochelle police have arrested Robert Amdur as part of an ongoing effort to shut down what a knowledgeable source referred to as a “crack den” operating out of 24 Northwood Circle. The backyard of the property is adjacent to the Iona Preparatory School on Wilmot Road near the Hutchison River Parkway.

After police gained control of the scene last Friday night, the New Rochelle building department entered the premises and began gathering evidence as part of an ongoing effort to shut down the location once and for all.

According to City spokesperson Kathy Gilwit, the Buildings Department file from the October 18th raid on 24 Northwood Circle contains 1 notice with 18 violations covering 3 pages. Additionally, there are 11 court appearance tickets going back to June 2011 with zoning and NYS property code maintenance violations.

Robert Amdur has three recent arrests but none have been adjudicated. The New Rochelle police arrested Amdur on an outstanding bench warrant on October 18th after he failed to appear in court on a previous charge. On July 22, 2011 Amdur was arrested for disorderly conduct by obstructing traffic. Drivers on Wilmot Road complained the Amdur and others were on the street, punching cars as they passed by. Amdur failed to appear for his court date and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Robert Amdur was observed at the house this past Friday and New Rochelle police took him into custody.

Police called the Building Department due to the condition of the house which was in dangerous disrepair including exposed electrical wires.

According to City property records, the owner of the house is Judith Amdur. Sources familiar with the matter tell Talk of the Sound that the mother was placed in a nursing home by Robert Amdur, her son. The son then allowed numerous other drug users to move into the house. Since then there have been multiple complaints for that address.

Based on a review of New Rochelle Police Department records, officers have responded to 24 Northwood Circle dozens of times over the past several years. Up until the end of 2009, most the calls were personal welfare calls or other calls consistent with an older person living in the home. Since May 2011, the nature of the incidents had changed including incidents of harassment, disputes, disorderly behavior, and noise complaints. Police recovered crack cocaine from the location during one incident, sources say.

The property backs up onto the parking lot of the Iona Preparatory School. Asked to comment, a woman answering the phone at Iona Prep said the school was unaware of any problems at the house or the arrest.

In a recent visit to the location, the windows were covered over and exterior of the house is in disrepair. Three cats were looking out from a second floor window. The house has an abandon look to it although a hallway light was on inside the house.

6 thoughts on “New Rochelle Police Shut Down North End Crack Den Next Door to Iona Prep”

  1. I feel bad for the innocents
    I feel bad for the innocents caught up in this. Like the 3 faces in one of the windows. I would rather take the approach as to what can I do to help (before November 8th) instead of bashing the city and it’s officials.

  2. house
    I am pretty sure this is the house I looked at about six years ago. My wife ran into the mother in the supermarket and she said her house was for sale. We looked at the house which was a 4-5 bedroom colonial and it was in pretty bad shape then.

    The son at that time told us he lived in the new condos in Tuckahoe/ Crestwood across from Roma pizza. I believe he mentioned he was a baseball card collector.

  3. 10804
    My family lives in that zip code.

    I am shocked, shocked I tell you.

    Has this mayor or anyone in charge — have a clue???

    People on crack are pretty easy to spot after a while. Maybe our Police Force needs to be retrained.

    Drug arrests like this, drop our properties values.

    Perhaps the people in the North End will wake up this election.

  4. Open Your Eyes North End
    I guess it’s a timely wakeup call to all the North Enders that think life is just wonderful in New Rochelle. Nothing like that would ever happen above Quaker Ridge Road. Crime and Stupidity do not discriminate. Money, affluence and location don’t always protect you. At times it hurts even more. I think it’s time to replace those rose colored glasses. Get involved for a change in all of New Rochelle. Not just you own council district. What helps one part of the city helps all of New Rochelle. Now is the time to think about your vote in November. Vote for a better New Rochelle and not any political party. It’s not a game and this is no party.

Comments are closed.