Suffolk County Police have arrested two people in alleged connection with seven armed robberies that occurred during a nine-day span.
Sixth Precinct officers responded to Amoco, located at 5556 Express Drive South in Holtsville, on December 18 at 2:27 a.m. after a 911 caller reported an armed robbery. A description of the suspects’ vehicle was broadcast and a short time later, a police officer pulled over the vehicle and two occupants were arrested.
Following an investigation, it was determined the subjects were allegedly responsible for the below six additional armed or attempted armed robberies between December 9 and 18:
Attempted robbery at Bolla Market, located at 3289 Veterans Memorial Highway in Ronkonkoma, on December 18 at 2:06 a.m.
Attempted robbery at 7-Eleven, located at 660 Lakeland Ave. in Bohemia, on December 17 at 2:24 a.m.
Robbery at BP Gas, located at 294 Smithtown Blvd. in Nesconset, on December 9 at 7:37 a.m.
Robbery at Bolla Market, located at 1194 Portion Road in Holtsville, on December 10 at 12:34 a.m.
Robbery at Amoco, located at 5556 Express Drive South in Holtsville, on December 10 at 12:57 a.m.
Robbery at 7-Eleven, located at 56 Lowell Ave. in Islip Terrace, on December 17 at 2:35 a.m. During each incident, a knife was displayed, and no one was injured.
Danuel Bragaglia 27, of Holbrook, was charged with five counts of Robbery 1st Degree. Alexander Zaccaria, 31, of Nesconset, was charged with seven counts of Robbery 1st Degree.
The two are scheduled to be arraigned on December 19 at First District Court in Central Islip.
Detectives from the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have charged a Middle Island woman with animal cruelty after the execution of a search warrant on her residence.
Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross stated that that its detectives charged Kathleen O’Brien, 63, with multiple misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, alleging that O’Brien neglected her five-year-old Labrador type dog by failing to provide a safe and clean environment.
Photo from Suffolk County SPCA
Upon executing a search warrant in the evening of December 11, detectives found the dog confined inside the home that had garbage, filth, grime, hundreds of dead flies, feces, and urine strewn about. The noxious air and odor of urine, ammonia, rot, feces, and food were so pungent it made SPCA personal cough and gag upon entry and stung their eyes. The dog had large areas of missing fur, red irritated skin, open sores around the ears, overgrown nails, and a difficult time walking once on flat ground outside the debris filled home. The interior had garbage and clutter piled over five feet high in spaces the dog had to crawl over. Filthy food and water bowls were noted inside.
O’Brien was arrested on December 13 at Stony Brook University Hospital and released. The residence has since been placarded as unsafe for occupancy by Brookhaven Town Code Officials. The dog is healing at a local animal shelter. O’Brien is scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on December 27.
The Suffolk County SPCA remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all animals in the county. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County, please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.
Detectives from the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals charged a Hauppauge woman with animal cruelty on Dec. 15 after a lengthy investigation. The announcement was made in a press release on Dec. 18.
Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk SPCA, said that its detectives charged Roseanne Lucrezia, 61, with misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, alleging that Lucrezia neglected her fourteen-year-old Husky type dog by failing to provide required medical treatment and sustenance resulting in pain.
The dog’s teeth were fractured, rotting, and broken and exhibited signs of significant physical pain upon examination of the mouth by Veterinarians. A malodorous smell indicating poor care was detected from the dog’s mouth. The dog’s body condition was significantly thin with the bones of the spine, ribs, and hips visible.
Lucrezia was arrested on December 15 at her residence, booked at the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fourth Precinct, and released. She is scheduled to appear in First District Court In Central Islip on December 27, 2024.
The Suffolk County SPCA remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all animals in the county. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County, please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Seventh Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the person who stole a motorcycle in Manorville in December.
A 2019 Harley Davidson motorcycle parked on North Street, near Schultz Road, was stolen some time between December 8 at 3 p.m. and December 9 at 11:56 a.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.
After 12 years as the Brookhaven Town Supervisor, in 2023 I decided to run for Suffolk County Executive to make our county safer and more affordable and to restore professionalism to every county department.
Good governance is about doing what’s right for taxpayers and employees, and that’s exactly what we’ve focused on since I have taken office.
Fiscally, we are on the right road, and our efforts have been recognized. The county’s 2024 budgeting has earned Suffolk two bond ratings and three credit rating upgrades as of early December.
As promised, we’ve brought new leadership to the Suffolk County Police Department, hired 200 new officers, and added 50 new detectives to tackle crime across the county. New leadership has put the department on track for continued success, and my administration will provide what our law enforcement agencies need to protect our communities.
The Department of Social Services was in crisis when I took office. Poor management, low staffing, and tragic incidents resulted in Suffolk County being among the worst-performing DSS operations in New York State. For example, Suffolk was last among counties processing SNAP applications, which provide people in need with food. Due to new leadership and a complete overhaul of DSS operations, Suffolk is now the best in New York State.
New call center policies have reduced SNAP wait times by more than 95%, boosted employee morale, and decreased caseloads. While there is still work to be done, especially in filling the over 1,000 open positions, we’re making real progress.
To address these vacancies, we launched the “Suffolk is Hiring” campaign, meeting job seekers where they are—on social media, at college campuses, and at job fairs. This proactive approach shifts from reactive to addressing problems before they become crises.
When I took office, many county buildings were in terrible shape—leaky roofs, broken systems, and general neglect. These buildings belong to the taxpayers and house our dedicated workforce. We’ve made it a priority to bring these spaces up to standard, both for the employees and the public who rely on these services.
Here are just a few of the results our taxpayers are already seeing:
246 acres of land preserved—a significant increase from previous years, thanks to reforms in the Department of Economic Planning that streamlined the process.
Sewer projects funded in Smithtown, Wyandanch, Wheatley Heights, Deer Park, the Forge River, and Southwest Sewer Districts. These projects are critical for protecting our environment and revitalizing downtown areas.
$56 million invested in public safety equipment, ensuring our police and first responders are better equipped to keep our communities safe.
Major improvements to county parks planned for 2025, offering enhanced recreational spaces for families.
Micro transit zones to improve connectivity on the East End, making it easier for residents to access essential services and work opportunities.
None of this would be possible without the incredible team I have by my side. Together, we are committed to making Suffolk County safer, more affordable, and a place where every resident can thrive.
I look forward to continuing this important work next year and wish all of you a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year.
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 merchandise from a Medford store.
A man allegedly stole assorted merchandise, valued at approximately $500, from Target, located at 2975 Horseblock Road, on December 12 at 12:42 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.
Words, ideas, and concepts mean different things in different contexts. Some of those differences depend on the audience. The phrase “Santa Claus is coming to town,” for example, conjures different images, ideas and reactions depending on who is hearing it. Let’s consider the reaction of different audiences:
— A group of first graders whose families celebrate Christmas: These children might immediately wonder “when, when, when” this jolly man in a red suit is going to shimmy down the chimney and deliver what they hope are their favorite presents. It can’t be soon enough for many of these children.
— Parents of those first graders: These dedicated mothers and fathers might feel pressure to produce the kind of holiday they had or the kind they wish they had when they were young. The words might trigger some anxiety, as the approaching jolly man might mean they have limited time to generate holiday joy. Where, they might wonder, are they supposed to find some of the gifts their children crave and how can these presents arrive without causing their children to wonder about the boxes at the front door?
— Retailers: Store owners are likely to start feeling cautiously optimistic, as they are every year, that Santa and his minions will shop at their stores, helping drive their bottom lines and making it possible for them to afford to provide the kind of holiday treats their own children desire.
— Workers in retail stores: They may find the phrase charming and endearing initially, and may even enjoy the endless loop of holiday songs for a while. At some point, when they can’t get a particular song out of their head, they may crave other music and other sounds that don’t remind them of twitchy children who, like me, seem to be a perfect fit for a size the store doesn’t have at that time or that doesn’t exist because it’s between two typical sizes.
— Music teachers: These people, who put in extra hours every year that often extend well beyond any contracts or employment agreements, may be trying to find ways to coax the best sounds out of young voices or out of young musicians who are learning how to play their instruments without squeaking or hitting a wrong note. This year, they may also have tried to bring something original and new to the holiday concert, either by adding a new march or song or by offering their own take on the classic, which runs the risk of alienating audiences who come to hear the familiar version.
— TV networks: While many of us are a click or two away from new movies or streaming shows that we can binge watch, some people continue to watch ongoing holiday programming. The Santa Claus song may remind them of their stock of holiday movies, as they maneuver between old favorites like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and more modern comedies, like “Elf.”
— Dentists: Okay, so I’m a little obsessed about teeth lately. If you don’t know why, check out my column from last week. Anyway, given the propensity for cookies, cakes and candy, dentists may hear those words and picture ways to help people clean their teeth in the early months of the new year.
— Health club owners: Owners of gyms may hear these six words and immediately think about all the New Year’s resolutions that follow the holidays. They may hope that the desire for a sound mind in a sound body brings more people to their gyms, where people can use their equipment to sculpt and tone their bodies or to burn off some of the desserts that topped off a family meal.
— Narcissists: These people know who they are and are probably annoyed that it took me this long to think about them. They have better things to do than to read all the way towards the end of my column. Anyway, they would like to know when someone will be as good to them as they are to everyone else.
— People who run charities: The arrival of Santa Claus may remind people to help those less fortunate, giving them an opportunity to provide something meaningful. These dedicated residents who focus on community service may hope to bring out the kind of holiday spirit and joy that enabled Dr. Seuss’s Whos of Whoville to celebrate even without their presents.
Many people in their pajamas are now summoned to get dressed, leave their homes and work full-time in the office. The working-remotely imperative is being phased out as COVID-19 fades and the new year begins. No more pajamas in front of the computer, disguised with a proper work shirt as far as Zoom revealed. Remote work is becoming a unique chapter of the pandemic past.
Or is it?
Let me take you back to July 1965. I had just given birth to our first child in a Westchester County hospital, just north of NYC, and was in something of a new mother daze when my supervisor from work appeared at my bedside. I had been employed as a researcher in the editorial department at Time Inc until that past weekend, and the baby coming a little early surprised us all, apparently including my boss.
She was an attractive woman in her 40s, trim and almost six feet tall, and she supervised some 20 staffers. For a couple of seconds, I thought I might be imagining her, but she pulled up a chair, as if this visit was an ordinary occurrence, and we had the following conversation.
“Hello, Leah, congratulations to you and your husband.”
“Hello, Bea. What’s happening?”
“Oh, I thought I would drive up here to congratulate you properly, see the baby, and ask you if you would like to continue working.”
“What?”
She laughed. “I know you live in the Bronx, about 30 minutes from the office (which was in the Time-Life Building at 50th and Sixth Avenue) and right on the D line (subway). We could bring you the material and the books you need by messenger. Then, when you finish each batch of work, we could repeat the process. For questions, we could call you and discuss by phone. What do you think about that?”
I blinked. Was this really happening?
“I think I will be taking care of the baby,” I offered after a long pause.
“We thought about that. Mia (a staffer in the department) no longer needs her nanny, and she couldcontinue her work with your baby in your apartment. She is from Haiti and speaks little English, but I believe you speak French, yes?”
“A little.” I was now in a different daze.
“Then this could work. You will be able to stay at home with the baby and work comfortably in your apartment while the nanny takes care of your son from 10-6 (our business hours) in the next room. She will come Mondays through Fridays. She is very responsible. She has five sons of her own.”
Then she said those prescient words without knowing she was 60 years ahead of her time.
“You will be working remotely.”
And so it went. A few days after we brought our son home, the first batch of work arrived from the office via a cheerful messenger, and I was set up at a desk in the bedroom to continue my job.
The nanny, Madame Bayard, also arrived and lovingly greeted and cared for our baby until I would appear. This unusual arrangement continued for almost two years. I would return to the office perhaps once a month for meetings and to touch base with my editor of the moment, but otherwise I did indeed work remotely, even from my parents’ bungalow in the Catskill Mountains the following summer. We gave Madame Bayard the time off, and while my mother cared for our son, I worked on a comfortable chaise in the shade of a tree, driving to the office only a couple of times in two months.
This idyllic arrangement ended when my husband finished his residency, and we moved to Texas, where he served at an Air Force base during the Vietnam War.
I finally left the employ of Time-Life. It was now too far for even a messenger to reach me. But today, my grandson and his wife both have satisfying jobs that call for working remotely.
Erica Pereira and Daniel Ulbricht in NYDT 2024 Nutcracker. McaPhotos LLC
Local young dancers will share the stage with New York City Ballet stars Erica Pereira, a Northport native, and Daniel Ulbricht in New York Dance Theatre’s 42nd season of The Nutcracker at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse at Hofstra University in Hempstead on Saturday, Dec. 21 and Sunday, Dec. 22 with performances each day at noon and 5 p.m.
Alyssa Tavares as Fritz and Amelia Novellino as Clara NYDT Nutcracker 2024. Mca Photos LLC
The children, students at the Ohman School of Ballet in Commack, perform multiple roles in the iconic holiday story ballet including children in the Party Scene, Toy Soldiers and Mice in the Battle Scene, Snowflakes, Angels, and various confections in the Land of Sweets.
Amari Bhalla, a seventh grader at Commack Middle School, and Amelia Novellino, a seventh grader at St. Patrick’s School in Smithtown, share the central role of “Clara” in two of the four shows. Anna Clemente and Alyssa Tavares, both sixth graders at Commack Middle School, share the pivotal role of Clara’s brother “Fritz,” who breaks Clara’s Nutcracker and sets the plot in motion, each performing in two of the four shows.
This year’s cast includes additional young dancers from the area as follows: Devyn Cleary, Claire DeVaney, Anna Gross, Isabel Gross, Sofia Gross, Marilyn Ihasz, Isabella Song, Nina Van Zandt, and Irene Vartholomeos of Commack; Priya Chan, Esther Cheong, Charlotte Cho, Vivian Cho, Isabella Fusaro, Mikaela Gluck, Aviva Hellman, Galina Hellman, Emily Kayen, Ariel Kerley, Hannah Litz, Elizabeth Pau, Adrianna Stucchio, and Oliva Telis of Dix Hills; Kaia Abdulkhalek and Valentina Linardic of East Northport; Angelina Zhang of East Setauket; Seraphina Moger of Greenlawn; Sarah Shao and Chuyu Li of Huntington; Leandra Guzman, Luke Sinisgalli, and Cassie Winter of Lake Grove; Mary Calefato of Nesconset; Penelope Moloney and Henley Nemeth of Northport; Laila DarConte, Giulia Katz, Samara Kolodny, Evelyn McCaughey, Juliette Struss, and Reagan Towler of Smithtown; and Emma Barry and Sonya Russo of St. James.
Anna Clemente as Fritz and Amari Bhalla as Clara. Mca Photos LLC
NYDT founder Frank Ohman (1939-2019), a former student and soloist under George Balanchine who lived in Centerport, set his staging after his mentor’s iconic Lincoln Center version, and the production includes the original Sugarplum Fairy Pas de Deux from George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker ® by permission of the George Balanchine Trust as well as costumes and props gifted by Mr. Balanchine.
With the elegant Christmas Party Scene, the drama of the magical growing Christmas Tree, the Battle of the Toy Soldiers and Giant Mice, the live snowstorm, and the brilliant dancing in the Land of the Sweets, The Nutcracker appeals to all ages.In all, a cast of 80 children, pre-professional and professional dancers will bring this classic story ballet to life on stage.
A semi-immersive pre-show experience returns to the theater this year that invites audience members into the Silberhaus home before the curtain rises, with the sights, smells and sounds of the Christmas Eve party that is the setting for the ballet.
Tickets range from $33 to $50, including discounts for seniors and children 12 and under. Add a photo with the cast for $5.50. To order, visit www.NYDanceTheatre.org or call 631-462-0964.
Learn to be…tobacco-free. St. Charles Hospital’s Wisdom Conference Center, 200 Belle Terre Road, Port Jefferson will host a free 7-class tobacco cessation program on Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 13 and Feb. 27 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Make your New Year’s resolution now! For more information or to register, please call 631-853-2928 or 631-853-3162.
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