Police & Fire

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Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney has announced that Asia Leaphart, 26, of Deer Park; Shamiqwa Dixon, 28, of Coram; Devonte Jennings, 24, of Wyandanch; Tyjanea Weaver, 23, of Wyandanch; and Naikeya Terry, 41, of Wyandanch have all pleaded guilty and been sentenced for their roles in  a string of retail thefts at Ulta Beauty stores in East Farmingdale, Commack, and Patchogue in 2021 and 2022.  

“These individuals operated together in groups and wreaked havoc on businesses across Suffolk  County by taking things that did not belong to them,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We will  continue to investigate and prosecute those who commit these quality-of-life crimes that threaten  the livelihood of our residents and businesses. In Suffolk County there are consequences for  stealing other people’s property. You will go to jail.”

On November 19, 2021, DIXON, LEAPHART, JENNINGS, TERRY and WEAVER, were  observed exiting an Ulta Beauty store in East Farmingdale with over $4,000 worth of fragrances  that they did not pay for. The incident was captured on the store’s video surveillance system.  

On March 1, 2022, DIXON, JENNINGS, and TERRY entered an Ulta Beauty store in North  Patchogue, loaded approximately $2,700 worth of fragrances into bags, and left the store without  paying. The incident was caught on the store’s security camera. 

On May 7, 2022, LEAPHART and CECIL MCHUGH, were allegedly observed by Suffolk County  Police Department plain clothes detectives stealing nearly $4,000 worth of perfume and cologne  at the Ulta Beauty store in East Farmingdale. While attempting to apprehend the pair, the detectives  used two vehicles to block LEAPHART’s 2013 black Nissan Altima so she could not leave the  parking lot and ordered her to stop. LEAPHART ignored their commands and reversed her vehicle  into an unmarked police car behind her, causing one of the detectives to sustain neck, back and leg  injuries. LEAPHART then accelerated at a high rate of speed toward the other unmarked police  car parked in front of her, plowed into the driver’s side of the car, and then recklessly drove out of  the parking lot. LEAPHART’s Nissan Altima was subsequently located parked and unoccupied in  Wyandanch. She was later arrested on May 15, 2022.  

In total, the group stole approximately $10,700 worth of fragrances. The incidents were all captured on the three store’s video surveillance system. Jennings, Terry and Leaphart were sentenced to one year in jail. Dixon was sentenced to 1.5 to 3 years in jail while Weaver was placed on probation with her case still pending.

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Suffolk County Police arrested a Coram man on May 11 after he shot a Suffolk County police officer in Coram.

Sixth Precinct officers were conducting surveillance on a Norfleet Lane home after receiving information that Janell Funderburke, who was wanted for an armed robbery that occurred two days earlier, was inside. Funderburke exited the home and upon seeing officers, he fled. One officer pursued the suspect on foot and Funderburke fired two shots at the officer, striking him in the right thigh,  at approximately 12:50 a.m.

The officer, a six-year veteran of the department assigned to the Sixth Precinct Anti-Crime Unit, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital via police vehicle and underwent surgery. Funderburke, 20, of Homestead Drive, was charged with Attempted Aggravated Murder and Robbery 1st Degree.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Arson Section detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the person or people who set a vehicle on fire in Shirley in April.

A 2022 Honda Civic was intentionally set on fire on Smith Street on April 8 at approximately 9:30 p.m. The vehicle, which was unoccupied, had been stolen from Poospatuck Lane in Mastic earlier in the day.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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Suffolk County Police arrested a Coram man for allegedly driving while ability impaired by drugs and alcohol after he crashed a vehicle into a gas station in Commack on May 10.

Hunter Addonizio was driving a 2010 Dodge Challenger westbound on Veterans Memorial Highway, and attempted to merge onto Jericho Turnpike, when the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a gas pump and another vehicle at Sunoco, located at 2211 Jericho Turnpike, at approximately 11 p.m.

A man and a woman, who were inside the vehicle that was struck, were transported to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore for treatment of minor injuries.

Addonizio, 21, of Hayes Lane in Coram, was charged with Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and Alcohol.

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File photo

Suffolk County Police arrested a man on May 11 for killing his girlfriend in Shirley on May 7. Oscar Morocho-Morocho allegedly punched and kicked his girlfriend Ruth Marisel Parra-Martinez, repeatedly over a period of time, outside of 30 A The Green, Shirley on May 7 at approximately 10:30 p.m. Parra-Martinez, 34, Undomiciled, died from her injuries. Morocho-Morocho called 911 and reported Parra-Martinez had died.

Investigation by Homicide Squad detectives determined Morocho-Morocho allegedly killed Parra-Martinez. He  was arrested on Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens at approximately 1:25 p.m. Morocho-Morocho, 31, Undomiciled, was charged with Manslaughter First Degree.

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Do you recognize these two? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the women who allegedly stole merchandise from a Medford store.

Two women allegedly stole a vacuum cleaner from Target, located at 2975 Horseblock Road, on April 25.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney has announced that the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, along with the Suffolk County  Police Department, and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, has partnered with the Fund for  Animal Cruelty Treatment of Suffolk, Inc. (“FACTS”), a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization, for the utilization of their animal cruelty crime victims fund.

“Prosecuting an animal cruelty case is unlike any other crime, in that the evidence of the crime  consists of a living, breathing animal that needs to be cared for while the case or investigation is  pending,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Abused or neglected animals require a significant  amount of resources including veterinary care, shelter, transportation, medication, and food. We  have partnered with FACTS so that the money needed for the care and recovery of abused and  neglected animals can be funded by donations, alleviating the burden on Suffolk County  taxpayers.”

“FACTS is proud to partner with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Suffolk County  Police Department and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office by providing costs of care that benefit  animal cruelty victims,” said Joyce Glass and Barbara Dennihy, co-founders of FACTS. “This  funding allows animal victims to receive necessary care while recovering and cases are pending.  FACTS meets an identified need during the investigation and prosecution of cases, focusing on  victims without a voice. Donations to FACTS allow us to speak for animal victims by providing  the care and treatment they deserve.”

“Animal cruelty cases are particularly disturbing as the victim is defenseless and voiceless,” said  Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison. “This new partnership ensures that  injured or neglected animals receive the necessary care they deserve while the case moves through  the court process. This is a win-win for animal rights as well as Suffolk County taxpayers.”

“Often times, when our Deputy Sheriffs are reporting to a domestic violence situation or similar  crime, they find animals that are also victims of cruelty or abandonment,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. “This partnership with FACTS will allow us to immediately get  these animals the proper treatment and housing they deserve without worrying about where the  funding for their care is coming from.”

Financial assistance from FACTS will help treat and care for animals that are victims of criminal  animal cruelty investigations that are being prosecuted by District Attorney Tierney’s Biological,  Environmental, and Animal Safety Team.

To kick off FACTS’ fundraising, Kristie Johnson, president of Foos Fire, Inc., a local Suffolk  County fire sprinkler business, and Kristie’s husband, Christopher Johnson, presented FACTS  with a $10,000 check.

If you would like to donate to FACTS, please visit www.FACTSSAVES.org, and click on the  “Donate Now” button.  You can also donate to FACTS on Venmo, to username @factssaves. Donations can be mailed to:  FACTS, 2168 Nesconset Highway, Suite # 310, Stony Brook, New York 11790.



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Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on May 8 that Christopher Guzman, 40, of Farmingville, was indicted for allegedly driving while impaired by fentanyl and causing a three-car collision that claimed the life of a 22-year-old Centereach man,  and injured two other drivers.  

“While this defendant was operating his vehicle, he was allegedly impaired by fentanyl, one of the  deadliest drugs in America, which has affected our communities here in Suffolk County,” said  District Attorney Tierney. “Sadly, the defendant’s alleged use of fentanyl in this case forever  changed the life of an innocent victim. The tragic death of 22-year-old Timothy Carpenter is yet  another sad reminder of the consequences of driving while impaired by drugs. Swift legislative  action needs to be taken to strengthen our DWI laws as well as increase the penalties for fentanyl  related crimes.”  

According to the investigation, on March 19, 2023, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Guzman was  driving a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado westbound on Middle Country Road in Centereach when he  allegedly crossed over the double yellow lines and sideswiped a 2011 Toyota Camry that was in  the eastbound lanes. The impact caused the Camry, being driven by 66-year-old Virginia  Molkentin, to spin out of control. Guzman’s vehicle allegedly then proceeded to cross over into the eastbound lanes traffic, and crashed into a 2012 Ford Escape driven by 55-year-old Stacy  Carpenter.

Timothy Carpenter, the driver’s nephew, was the front seat passenger in the Ford  Escape at the time of the collision. Both Stacy and Timothy Carpenter were taken by ambulance  to Stony Brook University Hospital. Stacy Carpenter was treated for serious injuries he sustained  from the crash, and Timothy Carpenter died due to the injuries he sustained. Guzman and the other  driver, Virginia Molkentin were also transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where they  were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. While at the hospital, police officers allegedly  observed that Guzman was exhibiting signs that he was impaired by drugs.  

On May 8, Guzman was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice, the  Honorable Timothy P. Mazzei for the charges of:  

One count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a Class B felony;  

One count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C felony;  

One count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;  One count of Aggravated Vehicular Assault; a Class C felony;  

Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree; a Class D violent felony;  Two counts of Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree, a Class E felony;  One count of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, an Unclassified misdemeanor; and  One count of Reckless Driving, an Unclassified misdemeanor.  

Judge Mazzei ordered Guzman held on $75,000 cash, $150,000 bond, $750,000 partially secured  bond and suspended his license. He is due back in court on June 21, 2023.



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Stock photo
Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Just released! Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who allegedly stole from a Port Jefferson Station grocery store in March.

A man allegedly stole assorted groceries from ShopRite, located at 5145 Nesconset Highway, at approximately 3:20 p.m. on March 27.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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File photo

Suffolk County Police arrested three people on May 9 for selling vape products to persons under 21 during
compliance checks at businesses in the Second Precinct.

In response to numerous community complaints, Second Precinct Crime Section officers conducted an investigation into the sale of vape products during which five businesses were checked for compliance with the law.

During the investigation, three businesses were found to be selling e-nicotine products to minors. The following people were arrested and charged with alleged Unlawfully Dealing with a Child:

• John O’Brien, 20, of Huntington, an employee of Huntington Village Vapes, located at 4 Elm
St., Huntington.
• Jorge Valles, 20, of Huntington, an employee of Its Lit Smoke Shop, located at 341 New York
Ave., Huntington.
• Patel Pahilkumar, 34, of Queens Village, an employee of E Smoke and Cigar, located at 312
Main St., Huntington.

All three were released on Field Appearance Tickets and are scheduled to appear at First District Court
in Central Islip on a later date.