Police & Fire

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Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Police arrested a man on April 5 for allegedly stealing cooking oil from a fast food restaurant in Huntington Station multiple times this year. Second Precinct Crime Section officers have been investigating multiple thefts of cooking oil from Chick-fil-A, located at 200 Jericho Turnpike since January, 2023. The suspect allegedly siphoned oil into a rented truck, and then resold the oil.

After an investigation, police arrested Hector Castrol-Espinal for allegedly stealing cooking oil from the store on January 24, January 31, February 10, February 18, and March 23. Castrol-Espinal, 23, of 8617 88th Ave., Woodside, New York, was charged with five counts of Petit Larceny. He was issued a Desk Appearance Ticket and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.

Police believe more businesses have been targeted. If anyone believes they have been a victim of this crime, to make a police report, by calling 631-852-COPS.

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

On March 29, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney  announced the sentencings of OMAIAH THOMPSON, EMMANUEL HUERTAS, ELIJAH WEBBER and KEYSHAWN MIDDLETON, for allegedly engaging in the retail theft of more than $7,000 worth of fragrances from the Ulta Beauty retail store located in Smith Haven Plaza, Lake Grove in April 2022.

“My office has made combatting organized retail theft a top priority. Through our partnership with
local and state law enforcement agencies, we have been able to catch many of those who have
committed brazen and egregious retail thefts over the past year,” said District Attorney Tierney.
“My prosecutors followed these cases through to conclusion. In Suffolk County, you cannot steal
other people’s property without consequences. We will continue to use every law enforcement tool
at our disposal to see that these types of criminals are prosecuted and held responsible for their
actions.”

In early 2022, Ulta Beauty stores were the victim of numerous grand larcenies throughout the Tri-
State area and Suffolk County. The Suffolk County Police Department conducted surveillance at

Ulta retail locations throughout the county in an effort to determine the identity of the suspects of
these repeated larcenies.

On April 1, 2022, Suffolk County Police Detectives assigned to the Suffolk County District
Attorney’s Squad were conducting surveillance at an Ulta Beauty Store in Lake Grove when
THOMPSON, MIDDLETON, HUERTAS and WEBBER were allegedly observed stealing approximately
$7,430 worth of fragrances from that location. MIDDLETON, WEBBER AND HUERTAS
entered the store while, THOMPSON remained in the getaway vehicle. The men took fragrances
from the store without paying for them then attempted to flee in a white Mercedes driven by
THOMPSON. While driving the Mercedes in an attempt to escape, THOMPSON intentionally
hit an unmarked DA Squad vehicle as detectives were attempting to stop the defendants. The four
were ultimately arrested in the parking lot.

On September 19, 2022, THOMPSON, 25, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty to one count of Attempted
Assault in the Second Degree and one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree. THOMPSON
was represented by Joseph Hanshe, Esq. On March 28, 2023, THOMPSON was sentenced to two
and three quarters (23⁄4) to five and a half (51⁄2) years in prison. She is also serving time for a
conviction related to weapons charges in the Bronx.

HUERTAS, 21, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree
on August 25, 2022. On January 13, 2023, Huertas was sentenced to six months in the Suffolk
County Jail and five years of probation.

WEBBER, 20, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree on
October 13, 2022. He was sentenced on November 16, 2022 to six months in the Suffolk County
Jail and five years of probation.

MIDDLETON, 24, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree
on August 17, 2022. He was sentenced on January 12, 2023 to three months in Suffolk County Jail
and three year of probation to run consecutive to a one year jail sentence he is currently serving in
Manhattan.

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.
Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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Police car

Suffolk County Police arrested a man on April 5 for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor
vehicle following a fatal crash in Brentwood.

Brandon Gillespie was at the wheel of a 2012 Jeep Liberty stopped in the right lane of eastbound Long
Island Expressway, east of Sagtikos Parkway, when the vehicle was rear-ended by a 2016 Ford box
truck at approximately 12:45 a.m. Gillespie, 36, of Smithtown was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner.

The driver of the Ford, Taron Smith, was not injured. Smith, 31, of Patchogue was arrested and charged with alleged Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 3rd Degree. He was also issued multiple summonses for Federal Motor Carrier Safety violations. He will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip at a later date.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks.

Anyone with information on this crash is asked to call the Third Squad at 631-854-8352.

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Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Just released! Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who allegedly stole merchandise from a Commack store.

A man allegedly stole approximately $200 worth of bedding, from Target, located at 98 Veterans Memorial Highway, on December 26 at approximately 4 p.m.

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 car. File photo
Do you recognize this man? 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 man who allegedly stole from a Medford store in March.

A man allegedly stole items from Lowes, located at 2796 Route 112, on March 13. The suspect left in a white Town & Country minivan. The items were valued at approximately $845.

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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Do you recognize these two people? Photo from SCPD
Do you recognize this person? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fifth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the males who allegedly painted graffiti in Oakdale last month.

Two males allegedly tagged “Love,” “Alone,” “soul,” and “Cant23” on buildings at the former Dowling College property, located at 150 Idle Hour Blvd. on March 8 at approximately 4:30 p.m.

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 Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate three people who allegedly stole from a Melville store in March.

Two men and a woman entered DICK’s Sporting Goods, located at 870 Walt Whitman Road, on March 11 and allegedly stole assorted clothing. The merchandise was valued at $1,865. They left the scene in a white SUV.

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 six employees after they allegedly sold alcohol and liquid e-nicotine to minors at businesses in the Sixth Precinct on April 2. In response to community complaints, Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers conducted an investigation into the sale of alcohol and e-cigarettes to minors at eight businesses, six of which had violations.

The following people were charged with alleged Unlawfully Dealing with a Child in the First Degree:
• Harmohinder Sidhu, 58, of Coram, an employee of GASCON, located at 443 Middle Country Road,
Coram.
• Ender Atay, 39, of Sound Beach, an employee of BP, located at 366 Middle Country Road, Coram.
• Rajender Kumar, 35, of Hicksville, an employee of Mobil, located at 145 Middle Country Road, Coram.
• Felix Castro, 46, of East Elmhurst, an employee of Express Deli Market, located at 16 Middle Country
Road, Coram.
• Raffat Hussain, 40, of Selden, an employee of Smiley Convenience Smoke Shop, located at 191 Middle
Country Road, Middle Island.
• Mohammed Harun, 55, of Mastic, an employee of Shell Gas, located at 809 Middle Country Road,
Middle Island.

Two local establishments were in compliance with the New York State law and refused to sell alcohol or liquid nicotine to minors.All six employees were issued Field Appearance Tickets and are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on April 21.

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

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Just released! Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a woman who allegedly stole from an East Northport store in January.

A woman allegedly stole assorted groceries from Stop & Shop, located at 3126 Jericho Turnpike, at 6 p.m. on January 29.

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
Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who allegedly stole from a Melville store in February.

A man allegedly stole assorted clothing and YETI merchandise from DICK’s Sporting Goods, located at 870 Walt Whitman Road, at 2:28 p.m. on February 14. The merchandise was valued at approximately $300.

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.