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Police blotter: Suffolk County incidents and arrests, June 13-19

by TBR Staff - June 23, 2016

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Lights Out

A 37-year-old man from St. James intentionally damaged a metal and glass wall-mounted light fixture at the Arden Bar on Main Street in Port Jefferson at about 3 p.m. on June 18, according to police. He was arrested and charged with criminal mischief.

Three drugs, two guys

On Main Street in Port Jefferson near Linden Place, at about 2 p.m. on June 17, a 25-year-old man from Rocky Point and a 35-year-old man from Port Jefferson Station possessed more than one-eighth of an ounce of heroin and more than eight ounces of marijuana and cocaine, police said. They were arrested and each charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a narcotic for the heroin and cocaine and third-degree criminal possession of marijuana.

Wild ride

At about 9:30 p.m. on June 18, a 31-year-old man from Punta Gorda, Florida, driving a 1994 Chevrolet on Tyler Avenue in Miller Place failed to stay on the road and swerved onto the lawn of a home, according to police. Police discovered he was intoxicated. While being arrested police said he spit at an officer. He was transported to John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson. He was charged with criminal mischief for reckless property damage, driving while intoxicated and harassment for spitting at the officer.

Bad checks

A 38-year-old man from Rocky Point deposited checks made payable to himself on four occasions in January and February at Suffolk Federal Credit Union in Miller Place despite knowing the checks were from an account containing insufficient funds, police said. He was arrested at 7-Eleven on North Country Road in Rocky Point on June 17 and charged with four counts of petit larceny.

On his own street

On North Coleman Road in Selden on June 17 at about noon, a 41-year-old driver from East Patchogue hit a pedestrian and left the scene without reporting the incident, according to police. He was arrested at a home on North Coleman Road and charged with first-degree leaving the scene. The pedestrian suffered minor injuries, police said.

Heroin seized

On June 18, a 28-year-old woman from Selden possessed multiple glassine envelopes containing heroin and prescription medications on Middle Country Road in Selden, according to police. She was arrested and charged with two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Unlicensed hit-and-run

A 43-year-old woman from Port Jefferson Station was driving a 2005 Ford on Terryville Road near Route 347 at about 4:30 p.m. on June 14 when she collided with a 2014 Hyundai, police said. She left the scene without exchanging information. She was later arrested and charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, when police discovered her license had been suspended previously, and leaving the scene of an incident with property damage.

Do it yourself

At The Home Depot on Middle Country Road in Selden on June 15 at about 6:30 a.m., a 54-year-old man from Port Jefferson Station stole various hardware items, police said. He was arrested and charged with petit larceny.

Motorbike mischief

On June 15 at about 2:30 a.m., a 37-year-old man from Selden driving a 2004 Buell motorbike on Route 112, near Walker Avenue in Medford, crashed, police said. Police discovered he was driving with a suspended license. He was arrested and charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Two hits in one day

On June 19, a 25-year-old man from Mildford was arrested after police said he hit a 2005 Nissan while driving a 2011 Nissan south on Route 231 in Dix Hills and then fled the scene. Later that day, police said he also hit a 2015 Honda while driving on Route 231, and fled the scene a second time. He was charged with two counts of operating a motor vehicle and leaving the scene with property damage.

Shady crime

A 40-year-old woman from Springfield Gardens was arrested on June 18 after police said she took four pairs of Versace sunglasses from Macy’s Backstage on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington. She was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny valuing more than $1,000 in property.

Shoplifting spree

Police said a 25-year-old man from Commack exchanged a pair of boots he had stolen from Bobs’ Stores Footwear & Apparel on Jericho Turnpike in Huntington for a gift card on June 18. He then stole a Fitbit watch and removed nine rings from a locked display case at Macy’s on Walt Whitman Road. After he was arrested police said they also found heroin in his possession. He was charged with two counts of petit larceny and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Trying to escape in an Escape

A 34-year-old man from Kings Park was arrested on June 18 after police said he was driving a Ford Escape on Pulaski Road and Maple Lane in Huntington with a suspended license. He was charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operations of a motor vehicle.

Curses

On June 18 a 37-year-old man from Huntington was arrested after police said he yelled and cursed at a manager of Meehan’s of Huntington on New York Avenue outside of the restaurant. He was charged with disorderly conduct with obscene language and gestures.

He would’ve sold a lot of drugs

On June 17, a 31-year-old from Huntington was arrested on Park Avenue in Huntington after police said he had marijuana, cocaine, packaging materials, scales and MDMA in his possession. He was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of narcotics, second-degree criminal possession of marijuana and two counts of fifth-degree criminal possession with intent to sell.

Spring in his step

A 37-year-old man from Huntington Station was arrested on June 17 after police said he took a GPS, a GPS power cord and eye glasses from inside a 2011 Hyundai parked on Spring Road. He was charged with petit larceny.

In need(le) of some help

Police said a 32-year-old from North Massapequa was arrested on June 15 after he was found in possession of a hypodermic needle while on Hauppauge Road in Huntington. He was charged with possession of a hypodermic instrument.

You gotta pay for that stuff

Police said two unknown people filled a shopping cart full of merchandise in Walmart on Crooked Hill Road in Commack on June 17, and then left the store with it — without paying.

Life’s a beach

Police said an unknown group of people harassed a driver of a 204 Chevrolet on June 19, by yelling and chasing him out of Sunken Meadow State Park in Huntington and then throwing various items at his truck, damaging it.

Thief conducts a search

On June 19, police said an unknown person took various clothing items and a breast pump from Target on Crooked Hill Road in Commack and hid it in a plastic bag under the shopping cart, leaving without paying for it.

Lexus looted

Someone stole a wallet containing credit cards from a 2001 Lexus parked outside of a home on Richard Road in Selden at about 12:30 a.m. on June 19, according to police.

Breaking glass in broad daylight

The rear passenger window of a 2013 Ford was shattered while parked near a home on Dare Road in Selden on June 18 just before noon, police said.

Withdrawal wizard

Someone used the personal information of a Stony Brook resident to withdraw money from a Teachers Federal Credit Union bank account at about noon on June 15, according to police.

Jewel thief

Jewelry was stolen from a home on Dyke Road in Setauket at about 9 a.m. on June 16, police said.

Things heated up at Fire and Ice

A 32-year-old man from Bay Shore was arrested on June 18 after police said he punched someone in the parking lot of Fire and Ice Hookah Lounge on West Main Street in Smithtown and had marijuana on him. He was charged with second-degree harassment with physical contact and unlawful possession of marijuana.

A 26-year-old man from Amityville was also arrested at Fire and Ice Hookah Lounge that night, after police said he yelled and hit a victim and then stole their iPhone. He was charged with second-degree harassment with physical contact and petit larceny.

Caught trying to catch

On June 17, a 32-year-old man from Sayville was arrested after police said he took fishing poles from a residential yard on Peter Road in Lake Ronkonkoma without the consent of the owner. He was charged with petit larceny.

I can’t Chevro-let you have that

Police said a 33-year-old woman from Hauppauge took a 2007 Chevrolet without the consent of the owner while on Woodbury Road in Hauppauge on June 16. She was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

Not driving 20/20

A 20-year-old man from Nesconset was arrested on June 16 after police said he was driving a 2001 Hyundai Accent west on Route 25 and Meadow Road in Kings Park while impaired by drugs. He was charged with first-degree operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs.

Socket to him

On June 16, a 33-year-old man from Farmingville was arrested after police said he put tool sockets in his pockets while shopping at Sears in the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove and then left the store without paying for them. He was arrested and charged with petit larceny.

Not buying what you’re selling

Police said a 27-year-old from Ronkonkoma had heroin on her while on Express Drive North in Islandia on June 15. She was arrested and charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, narcotics, with the intent to sell.

Struck

On June 15, a 36-year-old woman from Ronkonkoma was arrested after police said she struck and pushed two people while on Haven Avenue in Ronkonkoma. She was charged with second-degree harassment with physical contact.

Crack is whack

A 21-year-old man from Stony Brook was arrested on June 15 after police said he was in possession of crack cocaine and a hypodermic needle while driving a 2004 Toyota on Middle Country Road in Lake Grove. He was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and possession of a hypodermic instrument.

Zoom zoom

Police said an unknown person stole a 2015 Yamaha motorcycle from an apartment complex parking lot on Elliot Avenue in Smithtown on June 18.

Jewelry grabbed

An unknown person took jewelry from a residence on Blackman Street in Smithtown on June 17.

You gotta pay for that stuff

Police said two unknown people filled a shopping cart full of merchandise on Walmart on Crooked Hill Road in Commack and then left the store with it — without paying.

North Shore students at the top of their game

by Desirée Keegan - June 22, 2016

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The Miller Place, Mount Sinai, Rocky Point and Shoreham-Wading River school districts have named the students who reached maximum potential at the high school level.

“I am extremely proud of all that the Class of 2016 has accomplished in the classroom, on the stage, on our athletic fields and in the community,” Rocky Point Principal Susann Crossan said. “They are a class who came together and generously raised money for many charities and continuously contributed positive energy to build school spirit. I wish the Class of 2016 a rewarding journey and ask that they remember to dream big.”

In Miller Place, with a whopping weighted GPA of 99.6, Elizabeth Whitlow was named the valedictorian. Whitlow, who plans to attend Northeastern University in the fall and major in American sign language, was a captain on the varsity softball team while also a member of the volleyball team, drama club, Foreign Language National Honor Society, National Thespian Society, mathletes and athletes helping athletes.

Joining the advanced placement scholar with honor at the top of the list is salutatorian Clara Tucker. With a weighted GPA of 99.5, she said she plans to attend Stony Brook University and major in biology. Tucker got her start at Stony Brook in the science research club on campus and was part of the school’s science club, art club and varsity track and field and cross country teams, while also being a member of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, Intel Talent Search, Foreign Language National Honor Society and National Honor Society.

In Mount Sinai, Patrick Hanaj, with a weighed GPA of 105.2, was named class valedictorian. A class president his sophomore year and secretary his junior year, Hanaj was a member of Moody’s Mega Math Challenge team, was on the math team and was a member of chamber orchestra all four years of high school, and was the National Honor Society president this year. A national AP scholar and National Merit Scholarship finalist who was a member of the Columbia Science Honors Program, he will be attending Harvard University in the fall, majoring in applied mathematics with a minor in computer science.

Justine Quan, with a weighted GPA of 104.3, was named the salutatorian. The student council president and peer leader, who was a part of the history club and environmental action club, was also a member of the Mount Sinai Sunshine Fund and National Honor Society. Receiving the U.S. Rep. Tim Bishop Civil Service award, Quan will be attending New York University in the fall and majoring in political science.

“Justine is an integral member of her class; she is one of the most active and charismatic leaders that we have ever had in our building,” her district said. “Her participation is truly authentic, as she immerses herself fully in her activities for the benefit of others and for the good of her school and community. Justine is highly intelligent, one of the kindest individuals you will ever meet, extremely polite, always positive, efficient and highly organized. She is a representation of the best anyone can ask for from a high school student.”

James Gohn was named the valedictorian at Rocky Point. With a weighted GPA of 106.2, he is an AP scholar with distinction, member of the National Honor Society and New York State Mathematics Honor Society. Outside of the classroom, Gohn performed with the school’s orchestra, was the captain of the varsity soccer team and a member of the varsity lacrosse team. He is a dedicated volunteer, serving as a math and chemistry tutor and altar server, and dedicates many hours to several other charitable organizations. He will be attending Stony Brook University this fall to major in mechanical engineering.

“James is an exceptional student who has devoted himself to being the best he can be,” Crossan said. “He is a student with strong values and character and is gifted in the classroom as well as in his many extracurricular activities.”

Matthew Brewer, with a weighted GPA of 104.9, was named the class’ salutatorian.

An AP scholar with distinction, Brewer is also a member of the National Honor Society, New York State Math Honor Society and is president of the Class of 2016. He was a member of the high school’s mock trial and math teams and was secretary of the school’s science club. Team manager for both the varsity wresting and baseball teams, Brewer has also worked as a senior counselor for the North Shore Youth Council Summer Buddies Program since 2014, and previously was a junior counselor. He will be attending Fordham University in the fall to major in economics.

“Matthew is a bright, articulate and ambitious student who flourishes in an intellectually demanding setting,” Crossan said. “He has a gift of sharing his many talents with others by participating in many volunteer activities.”

Over in Shoreham-Wading River, Kelvin Ma, with a weighted GPA of 102.7, was named valedictorian. Graduating with an advanced regents diploma with mastery in math and science, Ma is a self-taught graphic designer and code designer who volunteered at Brookhaven National Lab during the past two summers. He was sponsored by Wikimedia Foundation to attend the Libre Graphics Meeting, where he gave a lecture on vector graphics and was awarded second place at the 2015 Long Island Junior Science and Engineering Fair.

A member of Moody’s Mega Math Challenge team, he was accepted into the Institute of Creative Problem Solving for Gifted and Talented Students as a freshman. He is a National Merit Scholarship finalist, and awarded the Suffolk County Math Teachers Association Award several times. Ma, who earned the New York State Merit Scholarship for Academic Excellence, will be attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and major in engineering.

Nick Maritato also reached a peak performance level. With a weighted GPA of 101.2, he was named salutatorian and will be attending John Hopkins University in the fall, majoring in biomedical engineering.

An Eagle Scout, Maritato volunteered as a camp counselor, performed in summer pit orchestra and interned at St. Charles Hospital in the biomedical department. A member of the Nexus club, Moody’s Mega Math Challenge team, jazz band and varsity volleyball and track and field teams, he received a New York State Merit Scholarship for Academic Excellence, the Science Teachers’ Association of New York State 2015-16 outstanding senior science award, and Shoreham’s Ralph Gilorenzo humanitarian award.

“As a class, their leadership and commitment to public service and community, as well as personal, athletic, and academic successes are unparalleled,” Shoreham-Wading River principal Dan Holtzman said of the top of the class. “It is these attributes that make our school, district, and community the special place it is.”

Demo for a dangerous eyesore in Rocky Point

by TBR Staff - June 22, 2016

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Rocky-Point-Monroe-Street-Demolitionw — Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine and Councilwoman Jane Bonner were on-site in Rocky Point for the knocking down of a zombie home on Monroe Street earlier this year. Photo from Town of Brookhaven

On June 13, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) and Councilwoman Jane Bonner (C-Rocky Point) were on-hand for the demolition of a “zombie house” located at 17 Monroe Street in Rocky Point.

The house, which had been vacant for many years and fire-damaged, was the source of resident complaints leading to Town of Brookhaven housing code violations dating back to 2008. The house was demolished by the town’s department of waste management in accordance with Chapter 73 of the Town Code, which provides a “fast track” to rid neighborhoods of unsafe structures. The property will be cleared of debris and graded by the town.

“This house was a dangerous eyesore on Monroe Street, and for a long time it had a detrimental effect on the quality of life and property values in the neighborhood,” Bonner said. “I am very happy for the residents that live on the street. Some stopped by during the demolition just to say how very thankful they were that it was coming down.”

The cost of demolition and debris removal is the responsibility of the property owner, and the Town places a lien on the property that is then placed on the tax bill. Suffolk County reimburses the town and then collects the money from the property owner.

“Nearly every community in Brookhaven Town has been hit by the increase of vacant, neglected houses,” Romaine said. “Unfortunately, many of them are run-down and not secure from animals and squatters. We will continue to clean up properties like this and I thank the town law, building and waste management departments for their efforts to help clean up this neighborhood and others across the town.”

Driver killed in wrong-way crash

by Elana Glowatz - June 21, 2016

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One man was killed and another injured when two cars collided in Rocky Point on Tuesday morning.

The Suffolk County Police Department said Sean Carpenter’s 2002 Subaru Outback, which had been heading south on County Road 21, crossed into northbound traffic and hit a 1991 Nissan Sentra shortly before 6 a.m., killing 55-year-old driver Jose Amaya, of Medford.

A physician assistant from the county medical examiner’s office pronounced the victim dead at the scene — which was about 1 mile north of Whiskey Road — while Carpenter, 25, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Stony Brook University Hospital.

Carpenter is also a Medford resident.

Police impounded both the Subaru and the Nissan for safety checks.

Detectives from the SCPD’s 7th Squad are investigating the crash. Anyone with information is asked to call them at 631-852-8752.

Jailed veterans get a second chance in Suffolk

by Alex Petroski - June 17, 2016

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Sele_Petroski_061016w — Brig. Gen. Richard Sele speaks on the importance of treating veterans with care. Photo by Alex Petroski

In Suffolk County, veterans who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law now have a rehabilitation resource in a peer setting.

Veterans returning home from military service abroad often struggle assimilating into everyday civilian life. Suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder and other emotional difficulties, some land in prison — for crimes such as those related to substance abuse — because of difficulty coping with the transition.

Suffolk County Sheriff Vincent DeMarco (C) announced the Incarcerated Veterans Re-Entry Initiative at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Yaphank last week. DeMarco spearheaded the new initiative along with Suffolk County Legislator Bill Lindsay (D-Holbrook), Judge John Toomey of the county’s Veterans Treatment Court, and veteran mentors from the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 11.

A block of cells, also known as a pod, within the correctional facility will now be comprised completely of veterans, who will have access to mentors and other services provided by the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center and others, as well as the added benefit of being around others with similar backgrounds and experiences.

“I don’t know of any population of citizens that we would rather have reintegrated into our communities and into our society.”
—Thomas Croci

According to the sheriff, about 8 percent of inmates in the United States have served in the military. And there are about 174,000 military veterans living on Long Island alone.

DeMarco said in an interview after the event that Vietnam veterans have been approaching the sheriff about establishing a dedicated jail pod for many years, similar to what has been done for the adolescents who are separated from the rest of the jail population, but the county’s overcrowded facilities made it a challenge.

“Veterans who have served our country and have been honorably discharged, the lowest point of their lives [is] if they get incarcerated,” DeMarco said, adding that the program will focus on getting incarcerated veterans treatment through various nonprofits for PTSD, addictions or any other mental health problems their experiences in the service contributed to.

“I think we owe that to them. They put their lives on the line for us.”

Brig. Gen. Richard Sele was the keynote speaker and said it is important to treat these veterans with sympathy.

“As soldiers, in addition to the wide range of regulations and policies that we follow, we hold our soldiers accountable to values — very high values,” Sele said. “As a leader and someone who has commanded at various levels, I’ve done so in a very firm and fair manner. But one thing I’ve learned over the years is that you also have to show compassion. You can still be firm and fair and show compassion.”

Ralph Zanchelli, of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 11, has been visiting jails on Long Island to serve as a mentor to veterans for about 16 years, and he spoke on behalf of the group.

“Housing veterans together is so very, very important,” he said. “They will be able to communicate with each other and support each other. We should never forget, when someone serves the country they sign a blank check, pledging to protect and serve the people of the United States of America, willing to give up their lives — and many have.”

“Veterans who have served our country and have been honorably discharged, the lowest point of their lives [is] if they get incarcerated.”
—Vincent DeMarco

New York State Sen. Thomas Croci (R-Sayville) spoke about the importance of rehabilitating returning soldiers with mental health issues.

“I don’t know of any population of citizens that we would rather have reintegrated into our communities and into our society,” he said. “These are exactly the people that we want back in our communities, running our businesses, sharing their experiences in school as teachers, and in law enforcement.”

DeMarco addressed the possible criticism that everyone should be held accountable for breaking the law without preferential treatment.

“They’re being held accountable for their crimes, there’s no doubt about that,” he said. “They have to go to court. They’re going to be charged. They’re going to be sentenced. They’re not getting off easy. We’re just giving them a better place and services while they’re incarcerated.

DeMarco likened this jail block to a similar one established in 2011 for 16- to 22-year-olds, which included rehabilitative efforts and mentoring. He said the incarcerated population from that demographic has dropped 75 percent since then.

Civic names poster contest winner

by TBR Staff - June 17, 2016

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Sound-Beach-poster-contest-2016_Keeganw — Julia Holmes’ poster design depicts the reflection of one little boy punching another. Photo by Desirée Keegan

Sound Beach Civic Association president Bea Ruberto said she would see people on Facebook posting about suspected criminal activity or some criminal mischief, and she would ask if the person reported it. “Most of the time, they did not,” she said.

Ruberto came up with the idea of a poster contest in which children created and designed their own idea to help get the word out about people needing to be more involved and call the authorities when they see something suspicious.

Ruberto said the civic received five submissions, and in the end Julia Holmes’ was chosen. She received $100 for her idea, and posters and magnets of the image with important hotline numbers will be handed out throughout the hamlet.

“That one, the graphic hit us right away,” Ruberto said of the winning poster. “This is something that when people see it, they’re going to want to read what’s on it.”

Nazi items, rifles and bomb manual found in Mount Sinai home

by Desirée Keegan - June 16, 2016

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Nazi-material-guns-found-in-Mount-Sinai-home — Nazi material, along with weapons were seized from a home in Mount Sinai last June. File photo from the SCPD

Police are seeking the public’s help with information after Nazi paraphernalia and a bomb-making manual were found during a raid in Mount Sinai early Thursday.

At 6 a.m. on Miller Place Middle Island Road, just before it merges into Mt. Sinai-Coram Road and Miller Place Road, brothers Edward and Sean Perkowski were arrested after authorities executing a search warrant uncovered 10 assault rifles, a hand gun, high capacity magazines, a shotgun, a stun gun, more than $40,000 in cash, marijuana, illegal mushrooms, Nazi material and a manual on how to make bomb. The Nazi-related material included framed photos of Adolf Hitler, Nazi flags with swastikas and books on white supremacy.

Ten assault rifles, a hand gun, high capacity magazines, a shotgun and a stun gun were retrieved from a home in Mount Sinia. Photo from SCPD — Ten assault rifles, a hand gun, high capacity magazines, a shotgun and a stun gun were retrieved from a home in Mount Sinai. Photo from SCPD

Edward Perkowski, 29, currently faces drugs and weapon charges, and Sean, 25, was charged with an outstanding warrant.

“This was a public threat on multiple fronts,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Tim Sini said. “We have two individuals who clearly subscribe to a hateful, violent ideology, who had an illegal arsenal at their fingertips.”

Although unable to discuss the details of the case as the investigation is still ongoing, such as if an event to use the arsenal of weapons was planned, whether they’ve been cooperative or if they were working alone or as part of a group, Sini said the department is currently working with the Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is made up of local police department and federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“Today’s search warrant might have prevented a deadly, violent incident, like the one we recently saw in Orlando,” Sini said. “I have a message to the residents of Suffolk County: The Suffolk County Police Department will do everything in its power to ensure your safety. We can only do our job most effectively if we have your cooperation and your collaboration.”

A large binder containing hand-written and printout material on bomb building was found during the search warrant in Mount Sinai. Photo by Desirée Keegan

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) said he’s never seen such coordinated police activity in all his years as an elected official, in regard to going after drug dealers and those promoting hate. He said the latter is what is of the utmost importance in this given case.

“Obviously this was a drug house, but drugs were only part of the problem,” he said. “This was a house infected with that disease called hate, and we want to stop hate in this country. There’s enough of it, and we’ve seen what hate can do and how it can destroy and hurt our nation.”

John Leonard, a neighbor who has lived two houses down for 18 years, said there was a brawl out in front of the home a couple of months ago, and 911 was called. When he saw the public police report following the search warrant, he went to police headquarters to offer his help.

“I’ve never spoke to them, we keep our distance,” he said. “There’s four or five cars parked in front [of the house] at all times and constant cars coming in and out. I had my car broken into in the driveway about a year ago. My neighbors had the same thing. We found prescription medication laying out in the street a couple of months ago. It wasn’t too hard to figure out something is going on.”

What he said horrified him, though, was the large bomb-making manual found, which included hand-written and printed out material.

“That scares the hell out of me,” he said. “That takes it to a whole new level.”

Sini also said he is concerned.

“To think that this was in the Town of Brookhaven is extremely disturbing and the police department, the brave men and women of this department, will stop at nothing to neutralize threats like this,” he said.

Nazi and drug-related reading material were found inside a home in Mount Sinai. Photo from SCPD

While Sini cannot say what pointed the department in the direction of the home, the commissioner explained it took time to get probable cause to establish a case, and tips from residents have been instrumental in much of the police’s recent findings. He said more than 600 tips on drug homes and drug spots in local communities have come through the 631-852-NARC hotline, which Legislator Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai) was instrumental in launching.

“We need to use our most vital resource, and that is the residents of Suffolk County,” Anker said. “We need to have a safer environment, but we need that information from the public.”

To report any information regarding the suspects from the Mount Sinai case, call 800-220-TIPS.

“We took two dangerous individuals off the street and we’ll fully investigate and prosecute this case,” Sini said. “We’ll spare no cost and no time. The fact that this is in our backyard is very concerning. That’s why the message today is to the public. Regarding criminal activity, please call the tips hotline or 911 immediately.”

Rocky Point robotics team rocks national stage

by Desirée Keegan - June 16, 2016

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GearHeadz bring home two awards from California

GearHeadz1w — The GearHeadz robotics team displays its national trophy at Legoland in California. Photo from Chris Pinkenburg

What started with a small group of kids in a Long Island basement ended with cheers when the Rocky Point-area GearHeadz robotics team ran down the isle at Legoland in California to collect a national trophy.

“It was the greatest feeling ever,” GearHeadz coach Chris Pinkenburg said of how well his team produced on such a grand stage, to receive a fifth-place robot game and second-place programming award. “I’m extremely proud of them. They’re a very independent, unselfish team that can figure out a lot of problems on their own.”

The team competed in the FIRST LEGO League Long Island championship tournament back in February and was crowned second-place champion. From there, it competed on the national stage against 74 teams, including regional and state champions from the United States and Canada, as well as international guests from Germany and South Korea.

Each year, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, which was founded in 1989, presents a theme under which teams solve real-world problems and build and program a robot to compete in missions.

The theme this time around was Trash Trek, so students had to present a project that could be the solution to an environmental hazard. The GearHeadz tried over 20 times and eventually came up with the right recipe for biodegradable bags that would limit the mass death of sea turtles and other marine life from accidental ingestion of plastic.

The GearHeadz’s robot base and some of its attachments used to complete missions. Photo by Desirée Keegan

“We’ve worked together well as a team,” said Pinkenburg’s 14-year-old son Jade. “We’ve solved a lot of problems and succeeded on the Long Island and national stage.”

Speaking of problems, his team ran into a big one at nationals.

“The first two rounds went really, really bad,” Chris Pinkenburg said. “We got back from the second round and sat down together to try to figure out what’s wrong with our robot. It behaved very differently from previous times.”

Recently turned 14-year-old Jen Bradley discovered a bad cable, when she started wiggling it and noticed that the sensor reading was changing. Thankfully it’s only your best round that counts, and the team had spent so much time fixing its robot that it had minutes to get ready to perform for the third time.

“Everything depended on that last round,” Pinkenburg said.

The robot performed well, which earned the team fifth place.

“We have a lot of smart people here that work really hard,” 14-year-old Rex Alex said. “We put in the time and effort and we get results. It was a big stage, a new experience for me, and we had the pressure on us, but we rose to the occasion.”

Bradley and the Pinkenburg bunch had been there before but had never garnered a national award.

“We’re finally one of the best teams in the country. That’s nice,” Pinkenburg said, laughing. “Hard work does pay off. It’s a total team win.”

It was the culmination of five years of hard work while learning and striving to improve.

For 13-year-old Julius Condemi, it was interesting to meet and compete against so many different types of teams.

“It was really cool to see everyone’s methods of finishing the missions to get high scores,” he said. “The competitions are energetic and it’s busy, but it’s a lot of fun.”

The GearHeadz group even works with other teams to help, something Pinkenburg said makes the program unique.

“It’s competing against technical problems, not other teams,” he said. “The kids show gracious professionalism when helping other teams. The camaraderie is good and I can see the progress. It’s an amazing gift to watch that and to help them on their way.”

The GearHeadz are hoping to move up to a higher level of competition. Photo by Desirée Keegan

As the kids are nearing the end of the age limit to compete in the FLL, the team is working to raise a minimum of $15,000 to compete in the FIRST Robotics Challenge, in which they will design, build, program and operate 120-pound robots to compete in floor games.

To be a part of this league is why Pinkenburg first created a team. A perk to being a part of this league is that it offers scholarships.

“Boeing, Grumman, Intel, they hire you afterward,” he said. “They see it as a means to attract talent and make them known to talent.”

Clayton Mackay, also 14 years old, mainly builds attachments for the base of the robot, which could involve adding pieces that compress air or use springs, to complete the different missions. He was a friend to a lot of the teammates, like Julius and Rex, before joining the team, which he said has helped them be able to work together to be able to compete at a higher level. It also wouldn’t have been possible without their coach, who has been a huge source of knowledge.

“He’s a really nice guy who knows so much,” Mackay said. “He’s a great coach. I’ve really enjoyed being a part of this team.”

Jade has learned a lot from and about his father during the process, and Pinkenburg has seen his son mature during the process.

“It’s brought out the best in him,” he said. “The social skills, dealing with the other teams, he’s really progressed tremendously. They all learned a lot about engineering and I see the personal development as the kids grow and evolve.”

Bradley said being on the team has been the highlight of grade school.

“It’s always been a big part of my life,” she said of robotics. “It’s really incredible. I’ve learned a lot about perseverance, about teamwork. I’ve made a lot of friendships while learning a lot.”

For more information about the team or to help donate to help them reach the next stage of the competition, visit the team’s website at www.rockpointroboticsclub.com.

Police blotter: Suffolk County incidents and arrests through June 13

by TBR Staff - June 16, 2016

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Did you see the news

On June 12, a 24-year-old man from Huntington Station was arrested at Andrea’s 25, a restaurant on Route 25 in Commack, after police said he stole more than 100 copies of Newsday throughout the course of three months. He was charged with four counts of petit larceny.

Over exposed

A 43-year-old man from Riverhead was arrested on June 12 after police said he exposed himself at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove. He was charged with lewdness for exposing his body in public.

How’s it hanging

Police said a 20-year-old man from Inwood was hanging from a water pipe inside Hypnosis 8.0, a nightclub on East Main Street in Smithtown on June 12, and caused water damage inside the business. He was arrested and charged with criminal mischief with reckless property damage.

Apartment swiper

A 30-year-old man from Smithtown was arrested on June 11 after police said he entered an apartment in Kings Park and stole a laptop and a television, then drove a 1996 Ford Sedan with a suspended license west bound on Motor Parkway in Hauppauge. He was charged with second-degree burglary and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Leggo my Legos

On June 11, a 26-year-old man from Smithtown was arrested after police said he stole multiple Lego sets from stores on Middle Country Road and Veterans Highway in Commack. He was charged with two counts of petit larceny.

All for some detergent pods

Police said a 27-year-old man from Miller Place stole detergent pods from ShopRite on Garrett Place in Commack on June 11. He was arrested and charged with petit larceny.

Knock knock

A 31-year-old woman from Kings Park was arrested on June 10 after police said she kicked in the front door of a residence on Commack Road and entered without consent. She was charged with criminal mischief intent with intent to damage property.

Caught with cocaine

On June 10, a 30-year-old man from Islandia was arrested after police said he was in possession of a clear glass pipe with cocaine residue in it while on Veterans Memorial Highway. He was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Weed is whack

A 19-year-old man from Kings Park was arrested on June 10 after police said he had marijuana in his possession while in a 2015 Nissan on Indian Head Road in Kings Park. He was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Tool stealing tools

On June 9, a 34-year-old man from Deluca was arrested after police said he stole tools from Pep Boys Auto Parts & Car Repair on Middle Country Road in St. James. He was charged with petit larceny.

His future is sealed

Police said a 43-year-old man from Farmingville refused to listen to officers who told him to freeze after attempting to arrest him for stealing three envelopes filled with cash from a business on Middle Country Road, on June 9. After he was caught, he struggled with officers and tried to resist arrest. He was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and resisting arrest.

Razor rift

Police said an unknown person stole two Razor Scooters from a residence on Washington Avenue in St. James on June 12.

Picking a fight with police

A 23-year-old man from Coram screamed at and made threatening movements and gestures toward multiple police officers during an incident at about 1 a.m. on June 12 on North Street in Mount Sinai, according to police. He was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct for violent behavior.

Hello, officer, my name is John Doe

At Sylvan Avenue Park in Miller Place at about 8 p.m. on June 9, a 23-year-old man from Holtsville possessed heroin and hypodermic syringes, police said. When questioned by police, he provided a false identity and birthdate to avoid arrest for violating his parole, according to police. He was arrested and charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and false impersonation.

Gun and drug charges

On June 9 at about 2 a.m., a 23-year-old man from Mastic Beach was found to possess a loaded 9-mm semiautomatic handgun without a permit outside of a home on North Washington Avenue in Centereach, police said. He was also in possession of cocaine, according to police. He was arrested and charged with second-degree and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fourth-degree possession of a narcotic.

No one wants to see that

A 61-year-old man from Port Jefferson Station exposed himself in the woods near a public park on Route 25 in Selden at about 3 p.m. on June 4, and again while seated in a Nissan Sentra in the parking lot of People’s United Bank on Route 112 in Coram at about 7 p.m. on June 9, according to police. He was arrested on June 9 and charged with public lewdness and exposing his body in public.

Liar, liar

Near Sam’s Club on Horseblock Road in Medford at about 9 a.m. on May 20, a 47-year-old woman from Mastic Beach filed a police report stating her 1996 Toyota had been stolen, according to police. She was arrested on June 10 when it was discovered that her car was on the side of Horseblock Road in Medford and she knew that was where it was, yet still filed the false report, police said.

Toothbrush bandit

On six occasions in 2016 — at CVS Pharmacy on West Main Street in Smithtown, CVS Pharmacy on West Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station and CVS Pharmacy on West Main Street in East Islip — a 36-year-old homeless man stole multiple electronic toothbrushes, according to police. He was arrested on June 9 and charged with six counts of petit larceny.

Dump truck driver dumps license

A 32-year-old man from Port Jefferson Station was driving a Ford dump truck on Oakmont Avenue in Selden at about 1:30 p.m. on June 9 when he was pulled over, police said. They discovered he was driving with a suspended license. He was arrested and charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. His license had been suspended 10 times prior to the arrest, according to police.

Front runner

On June 8 at about 2 p.m., a 30-year-old man from Ronkonkoma stole two New York Yankees jerseys and one New York Giants jersey from Bob’s Stores at College Plaza in Selden, police said. He was arrested and charged with petit larceny.

Pills pilfered

At a home on Overton Street in Sayville, a 47-year-old woman stole various prescription pills on June 2, according to police. She was arrested on June 10 in Selden and charged with petit larceny.

Pizza parlor patron’s passport pick-pocketed

Cash and a passport were stolen from a 2008 Chevrolet parked outside of Port Jeff Pizza on Main Street in Port Jefferson at about 9 p.m. on June 11, according to police.

Missing mailbox

A mailbox was stolen from outside a home on Sheep Pasture Road in Setauket at about 8 p.m. on June 11, police said.

Covert operation

Headphones for the video game Call of Duty on the Playstation 4 system were stolen from Walmart on Nesconset Highway in Setauket on June 12, according to police.

Shoplifting at Kohl’s

Clothing, four picture frames and three necklaces were stolen from Kohl’s on Nesconset Highway in Setauket at about 1:30 p.m. on June 12, according to police.

Knife-y situation

A 45-year-old man from Huntington Station was arrested on June 13 after police said he held someone up in Manor Park in Huntington Station with a knife and stole their black wallet with a credit card and cash inside. He was charged with first-degree robbery with use of a dangerous instrument.

In need(le) of some help

On June 13, a 32-year-old man from North Massapequa was arrested on Hauppauge Road in Commack after police said he had a hypodermic needle in his possession. He was charged with possession of a hypodermic instrument.

Hit and run

Police said a 20-year-old man from Dix Hills struck the rear passenger side door of a 2008 Lexus and fled while driving his 1996 Mercedes Benz on Bagatelle Road in Dix Hills on June 13. He was charged with leaving the scene with property damage.

It’s clear to all

A 29-year-old woman from Huntington was arrested on June 12 after police said she had a clear bag of marijuana in her possession while on Milton Place in Huntington. She was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Weed on wheels

On June 10, a 19-year-old man from Huntington Station was arrested after police said he had marijuana in his possession while inside a 2004 Honda Accord on East 2nd Street in Huntington Station. He was charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana.

Hide your bike

On June 9, a 19-year-old man from Huntington Station was arrested after police said he was in possession of a stolen 2008 Yamaha mini bike while on Old Country Road. He was charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Not egg-zactly legal

Police said a 41-year-old man from Huntington Station threw an egg at a residence at 2 a.m. on Broadway in Greenlawn on June 10. He was arrested and charged with second-degree harassment with physical contact.

Heroin hand out

A 26-year-old man from Dix Hills was arrested on June 10 after police said he was selling narcotics, including heroin, on Dix Hills Drive in Melville. He was charged with third-degree criminal selling of a controlled substance narcotics.

Shady situation

Police said a 24-year-old woman from Centerport stole Ray Ban and Wildfox sunglasses from Lord & Taylor on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington on June 10. She was arrested and charged with petit larceny.

iDon’t think you can do that

On June 10, a 46-year-old man from Smithtown was arrested after police said he stole an iPhone 5S and an iPhone 6 Plus from Target on Veterans Memorial Highway in Commack. He was charged with two counts of petit larceny.

No king in King Kullen

A 29-year-old woman from Huntington Station was arrested on June 10 after police said she stole various grocery items from King Kullen on West Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station. She was charged with petit larceny.

You can’t have that Yamaha

A 16-year-old man from Huntington Station was arrested on June 9 after police said he was in possession of a stolen Yamaha ATV while on Park Avenue in Huntington. He was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property valuing more than $1,000.

Comsewogue baseball player hit by car

by Elana Glowatz - June 16, 2016

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Comsewogue-baseball-Dan-Colasanto-052315-Landon-WJL_9456w — Comsewogue’s Dan Colasanto slides into third base ahead of the ball in the Warriors’ extra-inning 6-5 loss to Bayport-Blue Point on May 23, which forces a decisive game three in the Class A playoffs. Photo by Bill Landon

By Elana Glowatz

A recent Comsewogue High School graduate was seriously injured on Thursday morning when he was hit by a car on Route 25A.

Comsewogue pitcher Dan Colasanto hurls a pitch from the mound in the Warriors’ 9-4 comeback win over Sayville Thursday. Photo by Bill Landon — Comsewogue pitcher Dan Colasanto hurls a pitch from the mound in the Warriors’ 9-4 comeback win over Sayville in 2015. Photo by Bill Landon

The Suffolk County Police Department said Dan Colasanto was in the roadway around 1 a.m., on a stretch near Westgate Drive in Mount Sinai, when an eastbound 2010 Honda hit him.

The 18-year-old pedestrian, a Port Jefferson Station resident, was treated for serious injuries at John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson, police said. The driver, a 48-year-old Miller Place woman, was not hurt.

Colasanto graduated from Comsewogue in 2015. During his high school days, he was a star pitcher and third baseman on the baseball team, as well as a strong hitter.

He also played for the Warriors football team.

Detectives from the SCPD’s 6th Squad are investigating the crash and have impounded the Honda for a safety check.

Anyone with information is asked to call the detectives at 631-854-8652.

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