Police & Fire

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Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a
pedestrian in Manorville on April 23.

Thomas Regan was crossing Route 111, just north of Chapman Boulevard, at approximately 5:40 a.m.
when he was struck by a northbound 2024 Porsche, driven by Robert Ziemer.

Regan, 64, of Manorville, was pronounced dead at the scene. Ziemer, 58, of East Hampton, was not
injured. The Porsche was impounded for a safety check.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-
8752.

24 tons of concrete was illegally dumped in the Pine Barrens. Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Sheriff

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. was joined by Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico, the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office’s BEAST Unit and other Pine Barrens advocates on Earth Day, April 22, to announce the results of two investigations following residential and commercial dumping incidents around the Pine Barrens preservation area.

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon addressed the illegal dumping in the Pine Barrens at a press conference on April 22. Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office

“The Sheriff’s Office has been patrolling the Pine Barrens for over 30 years and we take our role very seriously,” said Sheriff Toulon. “These arrests are a direct result of enhanced surveillance, interagency teamwork, and the diligence of our environmental enforcement units. Both individuals could have disposed of their waste legally—but they chose not to. Illegal dumping is lazy and harmful to our Island’s environment and taxpayers’ wallets.”

Sheriff Toulon and officials announced the arrest of Joao Abreu for allegedly dumping 24 tons of concrete in a remote wooded area off Long Island Avenue in Yaphank. 

A six-week joint investigation between the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau and the District Attorney’s BEAST Unit, which included license plate checks, vehicle tracking, background checks, and witness interviews, led to the arrest of Joao Abreu owner of Chase Construction Enterprises. Abreu, of Port Jefferson, was charged with Felony Criminal Mischief, punishable by up to 7 years in prison. Additional charges are pending, including fines up to $150,000.

Investigators also discovered that Abreu had 27 license suspensions and did not hold a valid CDL license. His commercial vehicle, which was used in the crime, was seized and found to have 19 safety violations. It was immediately placed out of service by the Sheriff’s Office’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit.

Household debris was illegally dumped in the Pine Barrens. Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Toulon and officials also announced the arrest of Riverhead woman Jeanne Rodriguez after a trail camera captured a U-Haul truck illegally dumping household items—including mattresses, box springs, dressers, and a television—in a secluded section of the Pine Barrens in Manorville. Following a thorough investigation, Rodriguez was arrested and charged with Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree, a Class D felony as well as multiple violations of local dumping laws. 

“Our environment is precious, and one of the reasons why Suffolk County is such a beautiful place to be. These types of crimes cannot and will not be tolerated, and law enforcement will find and arrest anybody who dares to illegally dispose of any waste in Suffolk County,” said County Executive Ed Romaine.

“These alleged acts of illegal dumping in our treasured Pine Barrens were egregious and demonstrated a blatant disregard for environmental laws designed to protect our ecosystem,” said District Attorney Ray Tierney.

“I want to express my gratitude to the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office who along with our Pine Barrens Enforcement partnership were instrumental in bringing these alleged offenders to justice.  Suffolk County’s environmental heritage is not negotiable, and we will continue pursuing maximum penalties for individuals who choose to prioritize convenience over conservation of our irreplaceable natural resources,” he said.

Sheriff Toulon also highlighted the Pine Barrens Enforcement partnership as well as their investigative tools, which include trail cameras, license plate readers (LPRs), and other advanced technology helping to catch and deter dumpers. The Sheriff’s Office urges residents to report illegal dumping by calling 1-877-BARRENS. 

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Suffolk County Police arrested a man on April 22 for driving in Huntington Station with 74 license
suspensions on 12 dates.

A Second Precinct officer initiated a traffic stop on Maplewood Road, near White Pine Court, after Walter Castillo Ochoa was observed operating a 2010 Toyota without a valid inspection sticker at 5:13 p.m. Upon further investigation, it was determined Castillo Ochoa had 74 suspensions on 12 dates.

Castillo Ochoa, 45, of Huntington Station, was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 1st Degree, a felony. He was released on a Desk Appearance Ticket and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date. The Toyota was impounded.

Police car stock photo

Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured a motorcyclist in Miller Place on April 22.

Christopher Celli was operating a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle westbound on Route 25A, when two vehicles ahead of him slowed for a traffic light that turned yellow at Harrison Avenue. Celli passed between the two vehicles and continued through the intersection, where he crashed the motorcycle into the passenger side of an eastbound 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was turning left onto Harrison Avenue at approximately 9:15 p.m.

Celli, 24, of Coram, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital with critical injuries. The driver of the Jeep, Frederick Winter, 78, of Sound Beach, was not injured. Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks.

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

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Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct Investigative Unit officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who allegedly stole items from a Smithtown store this month.

The man pictured above allegedly stole merchandise from 7-Eleven, located at 710 Smithtown Bypass, on April 5 at 4:40 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 Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the woman who allegedly stole items from a store in South Setauket this month.

The woman pictured above allegedly stole merchandise from Target, located at 265 Pond Path on April 3 at approximately 6:15 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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Police car. Stock photo

Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are investigating a hit-and-run crash that seriously injured
a pedestrian in Port Jefferson Station on April 19.

Carl Vario was crossing the roadway from west to east in front of 315 Route 112 when he was struck by
a northbound vehicle at approximately 11:45 p.m. The vehicle fled the scene in a northbound direction.
Vario, 54, who is undomiciled, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of
serious injuries.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact the Sixth Squad at 631-854-
8652 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.

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Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are investigating a crash that killed a motorcyclist in
Stony Brook on April 20..

Airton Santos-Alexandre was operating a 2015 Suzuki GSX-R750 on Southbound Nicolls Road, when
he lost control, and struck a guardrail on the right shoulder at approximately 11:10 a.m. The impact
ejected Santos-Alexandre.

Santos-Alexandre, 26, of Medford, was pronounced dead at the scene. The motorcycle was impounded for a safety check.

Photo courtesy of SCPD

Suffolk County Police cited a driver for an illegal speed contest and reckless driving in
Melville on April 18.

Members of the Street Takeover Task Force observed a 2018 Audi S5 traveling westbound on the Long
Island Expressway, near Exit 49, racing a 2018 BMW at speeds of 125 mph, at 11:50 p.m.

Officers stopped the Audi and cited the driver, Khadim Ndoye, 27, of Queens, for Unlawful Speed
Contest, along with other vehicle and traffic infractions.

He will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on May 8.
The Audi was impounded.

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Suffolk County Police arrested a woman during a massage parlor raid in Port Jefferson Station on April 18.

Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers conducted an investigation into Best Foot Spa, located at 27 Chereb Lane, and arrested Saiyon Xie.

Xie, 57, was charged with alleged Unauthorized Practice of a Profession. She was issued a Desk Appearance Ticket and is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.

The Town of Brookhaven Fire Marshal and Brookhaven officials issued numerous citations and closed the business.