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Press Release

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Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured a man in Coram on Dec. 31.

Anthony Maynes was driving a 2024 Mercedes Benz SUV westbound on Norfleet Lane when he attempted to pass, but sideswiped, a 2007 Toyota Camry, then struck a parked 2015 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, crashed through the fence in front of 114 Norfleet Lane, struck a tree and came to a stop at approximately 4:25 p.m.

Maynes, 33, of Ronkonkoma, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital in serious condition. A passenger in the vehicle, Jawarren Booker, 28, of Ridge, was transported to the same hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. There were no other injuries. The Mercedes was impounded for a safety check.

The investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to contact the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652.

Charlie Bruckenthal. Photo Credit: Stony Brook Medicine 
Samantha and Matthew Bruckenthal welcomed their son Charlie to the world on New Year’s Day at Stony Brook University Hospital.

Weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces, the new baby boy was born at 3:16 a.m., just three hours into the start of 2025. Charlie was delivered by Leah Kaufman, MD, Eliza Hammes, RN, and Vanessa Boser, RN.

This is the first child for the couple who live in East Northport and the newborn is the grandson of Patricia Bruckenthal, the Dean of the School of Nursing at Stony Brook University.

 

 

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Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr.

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. announced on Dec. 31 that Deputy Sheriffs will be increasing their DWI patrols for New Year’s Eve to ensure roadways remain safe as residents ring in the New Year. 

“Our Deputy Sheriffs continue to do an incredible job patrolling for impaired drivers. This year, they have surpassed the previous year’s DWI arrests—making many lifesaving arrests, including those under Leandra’s Law and incidents involving wrong-way drivers. They are closing the year strong with enhanced DWI enforcement during this critical time so we can all safely celebrate the holidays with friends and family,” said Sheriff Toulon.

The Sheriff’s Office DWI Enforcement Team has made a record number of DWI arrests this year with 209 arrests to date. Included in the arrests are 37 aggravated DWI charges (the defendant had a BAC of .18 or higher), 15 arrests involving drivers with prior DWI convictions, 2 wrong-way drivers, and 3 Leandra’s Law arrests.

Leandra’s Law (the Child Passenger Protection Act) is a NYS law making it an automatic felony on the first offense to drive drunk with a person 15 or younger inside the vehicle. The law was named after 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, who was killed on the Henry Hudson Parkway on October 11, 2009, when she was a passenger in a car driven by an intoxicated driver.
Additional arrests include 1 case under New York’s Under 21 Zero Tolerance law and 13 arrests for driving while impaired by drugs.

Irene Minicozzi with Brookhaven Town Councilman Michael Loguercio

Irene Minicozzi stopped by Town Hall recently to pick up her daughter’s prize as one of six winners of the Town of Brookhaven’s “Brookhaven Recycles Day” Compost Tumbler Giveaway. Ms. Minicozzi picked up the prize for her daughter, Melissa Carretto who actually won the compost tumbler in Council District 4. Also pictured is Councilman Michael Loguercio.

The online contest was held on Facebook and had entrants pledge to recycle for a chance to win. One winner was selected in each Town Council District. For more information about recycling in the Town of Brookhaven, visit www.BrookhavenNY.gov.

Photo courtesy of Urban Air Lake Grove

Urban Air Lake Grove indoor adventure park hosted a “New Year’s Eve at Noon” celebration and balloon drop to ring in the New Year on Dec. 31, thrilling the hundreds of kids and their parents who came out to ring in 2025 twelve hours early.

More than 2,000 multicolored balloons were released from a net more than 30 feet in the air, cascading down where kids hoisted them in the air like trophies and stomped them in a cacophony that sounded like firecrackers. Urban Air Lake Grove gave out hats and noisemakers to complete the festive atmosphere.

“Kids love it, and it’s a way for them to enjoy New Year’s without staying up until midnight,” said Keith Handler, Co-Founder of Urban Air Lake Grove. “It’s our second year doing it. It’s a really good time.”

This is the second year Urban Air Lake Grove has hosted the balloon drop. It celebrated its five year anniversary as Long Island’s tallest indoor adventure park earlier this year.

“We opened in 2019 and have been investing in the park ever since, with new mini go karts and virtual reality,” said Handler. “We love that we’re here and can give back to the community.”

About Urban Air Lake Grove

Urban Air Lake Grove is Long Island’s tallest indoor adventure park! Attractions include the Sky Rider, a zip-line style attraction with a winding track that carries young thrill-seekers flying along 30 feet in the air; a High Ropes obstacle course, Mini-Go Karts, Flash Pads jumping game, Spin Zone bumper cars, and a full set of rock-climbing walls, wall-to-wall trampoline adventures, and Urban Air’s exclusive Urban Warrior Course™ and Battle Beam.  Urban Air Lake Grove is located at 3147 Middle Country Road, Lake Grove, NY 11755. Phone: (631) 861-4125. Follow Urban Air on Facebook and Instagram on @UrbanAirLakeGrove.

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

Mitchell Johnson is Alleged to Have Used Both Physical and Psychological Violence to Control His Victim

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Dec.31that Mitchell K. Johnson, 38, of Farmingville, was indicted for Sex Trafficking for allegedly using physical violence and narcotic drugs to induce a woman to engage in sexual acts with himself and others for profit.

“One of my top priorities is the complete elimination of sex trafficking within Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This indictment is a pledge to the victim and our community that these heinous acts will be met with our most significant penalties.”

According to the investigation, beginning in March 2023, Johnson allegedly provided the victim with crack cocaine as a means of impairing her judgment in order to induce her to then engage in paid sexual acts with third parties. Johnson allegedly used the victim’s addiction as a tool to control her and imposed rules upon her that she was required to follow, including that she was not allowed to keep any money for herself and that she was not allowed to leave the motel room alone. Johnson allegedly kept the victim’s identification to prevent her from leaving and threatened her and her family with physical violence if his commands were not obeyed.

On one occasion when Johnson went to the victim’s motel room to ensure her compliance, he allegedly forced her to perform oral sex on him. He then withheld drugs from her and strangled her until she lost consciousness. In May 2023, the victim managed to escape after Johnson allegedly directed another person to beat her because of her refusal to engage in sex with buyers. After her escape, she reported her abuse to police.

On December 26, 2024, Johnson was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Stephen L. Braslow for:

• One count of Sex Trafficking (Force), a Class B violent felony;
• One count of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony; • Four counts of Sex Trafficking, Class B felonies;
• One count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree, a Class C felony;
• One count of Strangulation in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony;
• One count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D violent felony; and
• One count of Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, a Class E felony.

Justice Braslow ordered Johnson remanded. Johnson is being represented by Michael Elbert, Esq. His next court date is January 10, 2025 in front Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis. Johnson faces 25 years’ incarceration if convicted on the top charge.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Katherine Flinchum of the Hate Crimes, Elder Abuse, Anti-Bias, Human Trafficking Unit (H.E.A.T.), and the investigation was conducted by Detective Kathleen Aspromgos of the Suffolk County Police Department Human Trafficking Investigations Unit.

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Update: Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives on Dec. 30 arrested a 15-year-old male for stabbing a
16-year-old male at Smith Haven Mall last month. The 15-year-old, of Lake Ronkonkoma, whose identity is being withheld due to his age, was charged with Assault 1st Degree, a felony, and Assault 3rd Degree, a misdemeanor. He is scheduled to appear in the Youth Part at First District Court in Central Islip on Dec. 31.

Below is the original press release:

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a stabbing that injured a teenager on Nov. 23 in Lake Grove.

A 16-year-old male was stabbed when he attempted to intervene in a dispute between a small group of
people on the sidewalk outside of the food court at the Smith Haven Mall, located at 1 Smith Haven Mall, at approximately 7:55 p.m.

The stabbing victim was transported to a local hospital in stable condition for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Another 16-year-old male was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries sustained during the altercation.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and County Clerk Vincent Puleo joined the Mastic Fire Department and Mastic Volunteer Ambulance to recognize 28-year-old Kayla Masotto of Mastic Beach, who saved a man that fell through the ice on the Poospatuck Creek in Mastic.

On Thursday, December 26 at 12:30 p.m., Kayla heard the commotion behind her home. She retrieved a paddle board and immediately headed out onto the icy creek.  Kayla risked her own life and effectively paddled across where she was able to approach the victim and pull him up onto her paddle board.  They were then thrown a rope from three good samaritans, Joseph Wahl, Tony Orsi and Alyssa Treadwell, and pulled safely to the shore.

To see a video of the rescue:  https://we.tl/t-jif5XtFP20

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Suffolk County Police arrested a male teenager on Dec. 29 after he allegedly stole a motor vehicle that later crashed into a residence in Mastic Beach.

Seventh Precinct officers responded to 103 Lynbrook Drive after a 911 caller reported that a motor vehicle crashed into the house at 4:24 p.m. Two males in the vehicle, a 2010 Mazda CX-9, fled on foot. When officers arrived at the scene, they determined that the vehicle had been parked down the block on Lynbrook Drive and was stolen immediately prior to the crash. There were no injuries reported. The exterior of the house sustained minor damage.

Seventh Precinct officers along with Canine Unit officers canvassed the surrounding area, located, and arrested a 16-year-old male at 6:06 p.m. Seventh Squad detectives charged the 16-year-old, who is not being identified due to his age, with Robbery 1st Degree. He is being held overnight at the Seventh Precinct and will be arraigned at the Youth Part of First District Court in Central Islip on December 30.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.

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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 and woman who allegedly stole merchandise from a Commack store this month.

A man and woman allegedly stole merchandise, valued at $409, from Kohl’s, located at 45 Crooked Hill Road, on December 13 at 7:36 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.