Police & Fire

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Suffolk County Police Third Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed one
pedestrian and critically injured another in Central Islip on June 28.

Giovanni Guzman was driving a 2008 Nissan northbound on Wilson Boulevard when the vehicle struck
two pedestrians who were walking in the roadway, just south of St. Johns Street, at 11:59 p.m. on June
28.

Jacinto Santos, 55, of Central Islip, was transported to South Shore University Hospital where he was
pronounced dead. Mauro Zaldivar-Cruz, 38, of Central Islip, was also transported to South Shore
University Hospital where he was admitted in critical condition.Guzman, 26, of Central Islip, was not injured and the Nissan was impounded for a safety check.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call the Third Squad at 631-854-8352.

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (center) presented Ex-Captain Vince Spirio with a proclamation to acknowledge him as his legislative district’s Healthcare Hero for his service as the Ex-Captain of Ambulance 6 (center). They were joined by his fellow crew members from left to right: Kim Kgoulian, Ann Schumacher, Jes Brugueras, honoree Vince Spirio, Legislator Trotta and Greg Kgoulian.

The Suffolk County Legislature created an annual recognition program so that each legislator would designate a Healthcare Hero from his or her legislative district to acknowledge their work as a frontline healthcare worker and their service to the community.

Legislator Trotta named Ex-Captain Vince Spirio of Smithtown as his district’s Healthcare Hero for 2025. Ex-Captain Spirio became an Emergency Medical Technician in 1985. However, it was not until 2019 that he joined the Smithtown Fire Department Company. Through dedication and diligence, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant in 2022. He served as Captain of Ambulance Company 6 from April 2023 through April of 2025.

Under Captain Spirio’s leadership, during the period of 2023 through 2024, Captain Spirio, the Smithtown Fire Department and its Ambulance Company 6 responded to a total of 9098 calls, of which 4884 were calls for EMS assistance. “Ex- Captain Vince Spirio has been tireless in his efforts and performance. He has clearly demonstrated that he has dedicated himself to serving the emergency medical care needs of the community,” said Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta. “I recall as a young police officer that when I responded to a call that involved a shooting or stabbing or motor vehicle accident, I was so relieved to see the EMS at the scene. You represent all the EMS of Suffolk County. Thank you and keep up the great work,” added Legislator Trotta.

 

Above, the vehicle being impounded after the owner, Matthew Serritella, 21, of Coram, was arrested for Reckless Driving and Unlawful Fleeing from Police last night.

Suffolk County Police arrested a man on June 27 and impounded his vehicle in Coram after he fled from police who were initiating a traffic stop for reckless driving last week in Ronkonkoma.

Members of the Street Takeover Task Force attempted to pull over a 2004 Infinity sedan that was speeding at 130 miles per hour, without headlights on, on the Eastbound Long Island Expressway, on June 22 at approximately 11 p.m. The driver fled, taking Exit 61 southbound on Patchogue Holbrook Road. The Street Takeover Task Force located the vehicle at the driver’s residence on Sandpiper Lane in Coram last night at approximately 7:50 p.m.

The driver, Matthew Serritella, 21, was arrested for Reckless Driving and Unlawful Fleeing from Police and was issued 13 summonses. The vehicle was impounded. Serritella is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on July 17.

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Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously
injured a woman in Commack on June 28.

Cindy Membreno-Reyes was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe on the entrance ramp between Express
Drive North and Exit 53 when her vehicle left the road and overturned at 8:50 a.m.

Membreno-Reyes, 35, of Brentwood, was transported by Commack Volunteer Ambulance to South
Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore for treatment of serious injuries.

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the
crash to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

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Suffolk County Police arrested a man on June 26 for allegedly selling a tobacco product to an underage person during a compliance check at a Huntington business.

In response to numerous community complaints, Second Precinct Investigative Unit officers conducted
an investigation into the sale of tobacco and vape products to underage people at 12 businesses. One
business was found not to be in compliance with the law.

Muhammad Janjua, an employee of Huntington Mart, located at 276 East Jericho Turnpike, was charged
with Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 2nd Degree, a misdemeanor. Janjua, 45, of Selden, was released
on a Field Appearance Ticket and is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on a later
date.

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Suffolk County Police have shut down a massage parlor that was operating with the former tenant’s smoke
shop signage in Centereach.

In response to community complaints, the Suffolk County Police Department’s Human Trafficking
Investigations Unit conducted an operation at 2505 Middle County Road on June 24. While the new
business was still utilizing the former business name “Puff and Pass,” detectives found evidence of a
commercial sex operation. The business, Facial Waxing Salon, opened in January 2025.

The Town of Brookhaven Fire Marshal and Code Enforcement assisted, and the location was closed
after being deemed unsafe for occupancy.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this location is urged to contact the
Human Trafficking Investigations Unit at 631-854-7512.

Suffolk County D.A. Raymond Tierney

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on June 26 that Robert Cortese, 37, of Huntington, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, for allegedly presenting a forged Town of Islip building permit to a customer in 2021. At the time, Cortese, the owner of Tool Time Construction, Inc., did not have a valid license to operate the business.

“Unlicensed contractors have no safe haven in Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We continually work with the Department of Consumer Affairs to warn homeowners against hiring unlicensed contractors to work on their homes and caution unsuspecting owners to always check with the Department before signing a contract so they can be assured they are contracting with licensed home improvement contractors on whom they can depend.”

According to the investigation, in May of 2021 a client contracted with Cortese for a construction project at the client’s home in Great River. The work Cortese was contracted to complete involved installing a pool and building a pool house at the client’s home.

Cortese allegedly assured the homeowner that he would obtain all the necessary permits from the Town of Islip in order to comply with the town’s building code.

In October 2021, Cortese allegedly presented the homeowner with what he claimed was a legitimate Town of Islip building permit after the homeowner repeatedly requested Cortese to provide a copy of the permit to show compliance.

The homeowner reached out to the Town of Islip Building Department after questioning some of the work completed on the project and he allegedly learned that the permit Cortese gave him was fraudulent and not issued by the town. In addition, the client also allegedly learned that no applications for a building permit were ever filed for his pool project. Subsequently, the permit Cortese presented was allegedly fraudulent, and it was revealed Cortese had allegedly never filed any permits with the Town of Islip. In addition, it was discovered that Cortese not have a valid license to engage in a business as a home improvement contractor in Suffolk County.

On June 25, 2025, Cortese surrendered to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, and he was placed under arrest. He was arraigned on the arrest charges before District Court Judge Steven Weissbard, for Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a Class D felony. Judge Weissbard ordered Cortese released from jail without bail because his charge is considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail.

Cortese is due back in court on August 6, 2025, and faces up to 2 1/3 years to 7 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Marc Gann, Esq.

If you believe you have been victimized by Cortese, please call the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office at 631-853-5602.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Miller of the Financial Crimes Bureau and the investigation was conducted by Deputy Sheriff Investigator Brandon Clark, of the District Attorney’s Financial Crime Bureau, with assistance from investigators from the Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs.

Suffolk County Police are advising motorists of road closures for the annual Lt. Michael Murphy Run Around the Lake in Lake Ronkonkoma on June 28.

The run will travel around Lake Ronkonkoma and road closures will be in effect from 6:30 a.m. to noon.
Rosevale Avenue will be closed between Pond Road and Smithtown Boulevard. Lakeshore Road and Pond
Road will be closed between Portion Road and Church Street. Smithtown Boulevard/Lakeshore
Road/Portion Road will be closed from Rosevale Avenue to Ronkonkoma Avenue.

Additionally, Ocean Avenue and parts of Rosevale Avenue will be closed from Express Drive North to
Motor Parkway between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m. Motorists are urged to use alternate routes.

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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Riverhead Town Police are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate two men who allegedly stole from a Riverhead store in June.

The two men pictured above allegedly stole shoes from the Nike Factory Store, located at the Tanger Outlets, 1770 West Main Street, at approximately 1 p.m. on June 15.

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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Suffolk County Police arrested a woman on June 24 for alleged unauthorized practice of a profession in Mount Sinai.

In response to numerous community complaints, Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers, in conjunction with officials from the Town of Brookhaven, conducted an investigation into Sakura Foot Spa, located at 47 Route 25A, and arrested Rongzhen Wang at 7 p.m.

Wang, 43, of Flushing, was charged with alleged Unauthorized Practice of a Profession, a felony. Wang was released on a Desk Appearance Ticket and is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.

The Town of Brookhaven issued multiple violations and condemned the building as unsafe.