Police & Fire

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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 who allegedly stole from a Lake Grove store last month.

A man allegedly stole merchandise valued at $609 from Macy’s, located at the Smith Haven Mall, on January 21 at approximately 2:30 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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Ronald Oscal Cruz

Ronald Oscal Cruz Pleaded Guilty Last Month to Stabbing a Riverhead Man

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Feb. 14 that Ronald Oscal Cruz, 31, of Calverton, was sentenced to eight and one-half years in prison after pleading guilty to Assault in the First Degree, for stabbing a 37-year-old Riverhead man with a kitchen knife causing severe physical injuries including the removal of a portion of the victim’s pancreas.

“Thankfully for the quick action of the police officer here, the defendant was arrested before anyone was killed and the victim received vital emergency care,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We will not tolerate such violence in Suffolk County.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on July 18, 2022, at approximately 10:45 p.m., Oscal Cruz stabbed the victim multiple times in the back with a large kitchen knife. A plainclothes police officer observed Oscal Cruz chasing the victim down Main Street in Riverhead. When the officer stopped Oscal Cruz, he was in possession of the kitchen knife covered in blood.

The victim was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center and underwent three surgeries to control the bleeding from the lacerations to his stomach, spleen, pancreas, and colon.

The following day, the victim nearly died while being airlifted to South Shore University Hospital for additional treatment. The victim survived after multiple hours of surgery, but part of his pancreas was removed.

On January 12, 2024, Oscal Cruz, pleaded guilty to Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony, before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Anthony S. Senft Jr. On February 14, 2024, Justice Senft sentenced Oscal Cruz to eight and one-half years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. He was represented by John Halverson, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Keri Wasson and Tara O’Donnell of the Major Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Richard Freeborn of the Suffolk County Police Department.

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Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are seeking the publics help to identify and locate the woman who allegedly used a stolen credit card at a South Setauket business in December.

A woman allegedly used a stolen credit card to make a purchase at Best Buy, located at 261 Pond Path, on December 8 at approximately 12:30 p.m. The credit card was previously stolen from an unlocked vehicle at Moriches Park Tennis Court, located at 5 Vineyard Ct., St. James.

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 a Huntington Station student on Feb. 15 after she allegedly posted a threat of mass harm on social media.

Second Precinct Crime Section officers responded to Walt Whitman High School, located at 310 West Hills Road after a student allegedly made a threat of mass harm on social media. Officers located and isolated the 15-year-old female student, and an investigation was conducted. The student’s locker, book bag and home were searched. She was arrested at the school at approximately 12:35 p.m. Officers determined there was no credible threat.

The teenager was charged with Threat of Mass Harm, a Class B Misdemeanor, and will be arraigned in Suffolk County Family Court at a later date.

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Matthew Leshinsky

Matthew Leshinsky’s Clandestine Drug Lab was Uncovered When He Called Police to Report a Burglary

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Feb. 15 that Matthew Leshinsky, 23, of Farmingville, pleaded guilty to Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine in the Third Degree and other related charges, for manufacturing methamphetamine and other illicit drugs at his business, Quantitative Laboratories, LLC, in Ronkonkoma.

“This defendant was operating a Breaking Bad-style drug lab and tried to conceal it under the guise of a legitimate business. He then inadvertently turned himself in when he reported that a burglary occurred at that same business,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I want to thank the Suffolk County Police Department officers who keenly identified evidence of a clandestine drug lab during their initial response to the scene, as well as our prosecutors and other members of law enforcement for their collaborative efforts to further investigate this defendant and hold him accountable for the deadly drugs he put out onto the streets of Suffolk County.”

According to the investigation and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on June 7, 2023, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Leshinsky called 911 to report a burglary in progress at his purported business establishment, Quantitative Laboratories, LLC, in Ronkonkoma.

When officers from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fifth Precinct responded to the scene, they observed broken glass at the entrance of the lab. While the officers continued investigating, they discovered what appeared to be a clandestine laboratory that was involved in the manufacture, production, and preparation of methamphetamine and dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a hallucinogenic substance, amongst other controlled substances.

After obtaining a search warrant for the location, law enforcement found over 100 items of laboratory equipment, chemical reagents and solvents used in the manufacture, production, or preparation of methamphetamine, as well as substances that resulted from the production or preparation of methamphetamine. Police also recovered $40,000 in cash, a quantity of MDMA (ecstasy), over 3 ounces of methamphetamine, over 625,000 milligrams of pure ketamine, and over 20 plastic 55 gallon drums containing Gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), which is chemically similar to Gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), often times referred to as the “date rape drug.”

On February 15, 2024, Leshinsky pleaded guilty to the following charges before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard Ambro:

  •   One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A-II felony;
  •   One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony;
  •   Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, Class D felonies;
  •   One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class C felony;
  •   Two counts of Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine in the Third Degree, Class D felonies;
  •   One count of Unlawful Disposal of Methamphetamine Laboratory Material, a Class E felony;
  •   One count of Criminal Possession of Methamphetamine Manufacturing Material in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, Class A misdemeanors; and
  •   One count of Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

    Leshinsky is due back in court for sentencing on March 20, 2024, and he is being represented by David Besso, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Saam Jalayer of the Narcotics Bureau with investigative assistance from members of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fifth Precinct, Arson Squad, and Narcotics Section, and members of the New York State Police’s Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team.

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

Matthew Dickson Allegedly Stole Money From Kids’ Soccer Club For Eight Months

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Feb.  14 that Matthew Dickson, 44, of Dix Hills, was indicted for Grand Larceny in the Second Degree for allegedly embezzling more than $70,000 from the Dix Hills Soccer Club while he held the positions of Vice President and President of the club.

“Hundreds of children and their families join the Dix Hills Soccer Club every year to be a part of the community, make friends, and learn how to play soccer,” said District Attorney Tierney. “It is a shame that anyone would want to jeopardize that rite of passage by exploiting their position of trust to steal from those same kids and their families.”

According to the investigation, between April and November 2022, Dickson was responsible for paying the bills associated with the Dix Hills Soccer Club. During that same period, Dickson held the position of Vice President, and then later, President, of the soccer club. Instead of paying the expenses, Dickson allegedly began writing checks to himself and to his corporation from the soccer club’s account without the board of directors’ permission. Further investigation revealed that the defendant allegedly collected payments from club members through his personal Venmo account for soccer-related events, which he did not then deposit into the club’s bank account. Additionally, he failed to reimburse the club for expenses that he allegedly charged on the Dix Hills Soccer Club’s credit card.

On February 14, 2024, Dickson was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable John B. Collins, charging him with one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony. Justice Collins ordered Dickson to be released on his own recognizance. Under current New York State law, the offense for which the defendant was indicted is considered non-bail eligible. Dickson is due back in court on April 12, 2024. He is represented by James Misiano, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Adriana Noyola of the Financial Crimes Bureau with investigative assistance from Detective Investigator Daniel Ayrovainen of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office’s Financial Crimes Bureau.

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Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the woman who allegedly stole from a Commack store last month.

A woman allegedly stole merchandise from Walmart, located at 85 Crooked Hill Road, on January 28 at approximately 1:30 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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Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a woman who allegedly stole from a Commack store in November.

A woman allegedly stole multiple packs of nicotine gum from Target, located at 98 Veterans Memorial Highway, at 8:54 a.m. on November 25. The woman fled in a gray Nissan Altima.

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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Police car

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the suspect who slashed a man in a Hauppauge restaurant last month.

A man was slashed with a knife during an altercation at Capicu Restaurant, located at 160 Adams Avenue, on January 1 at approximately 4:35 a.m. Detectives are looking for photos, videos or information related to this incident.

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? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Second Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the men who allegedly stole from a Huntington Station store last month.

Two men allegedly stole merchandise valued at $469 from Target, located at 124 E. Jericho Turnpike, on January 24 at 5:05 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.