Back Behind Bars

An East Hampton man who has spent much of his time recently in and out of custody is back behind bars this week. 

East Hampton Village police arrested James E. Wyeth, 47, last Thursday afternoon on a warrant, charging him with criminal mischief at the felony level. According to the police, Mr. Wyeth, in a rage, kicked the driver’s-side door of a Lindy’s Taxi 2005 Crown Victoria, driven by Michael Anderson, on Oct. 24. 

Mr. Anderson told police he was stopped at the train station at about 5:30 p.m. waiting for a fare. “Jim was there, and he came at me again,” he said. “He was just being regular Jim. He came up to my taxi and kicked the door.” 

The kick had enough force behind it to cause $1,200 worth of damage, according to a written estimate presented to the police by Lindy’s. 

Mr. Wyeth, listed by police as a driver for Taxi One, is also charged with stalking, a felony violation of the terms of his parole. He was arrested in August after another Taxi One cabbie, Richard Weisman, went to the train station to pick up the van Mr. Wyeth was driving that day. Mr. Weisman told police that he arrived at the station in his personal car, which Mr. Wyeth then attacked. He also struggled with Mr. Weisman over a bag, according to police.

Because Mr. Wyeth has two prior felony convictions, a local judge cannot set bail. Mr. Wyeth spent the next five days in jail after the August arrest before being released, as required by law, since he was not indicted.

His current stay in jail will likely follow the same scenario. It is unusual for the district attorney to devote the resources needed to obtain a grand jury indictment on what is normally considered a minor felony.

The same day Mr. Wyeth allegedly kicked the Lindy’s Taxi door, police were called to Stratton Square to quell an altercation outside his house. That incident involved the owner of Taxi One, Ladislav Simigura; Mr. Wyeth, and another Taxi One driver. Mr. Simigura told police he and the driver had gone to the house to pick up a vehicle. None of the men wanted to press charges.

On Nov. 4, East Hampton schools were put on lockout after village police received a report that Mr. Wyeth had made suicidal threats and was armed. Stratton Square is near to all three East Hampton schools.

All East End police departments were put on alert. Sag Harbor Village police eventually found Mr. Wyeth at Havens Beach there, unarmed. He was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital for observation and eventually released. The warrant for his arrest on the criminal mischief charge was issued the next day.