Police & Fire

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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the pair who stole from a Commack store in April.

Two men entered Harbor Freight, located at 116 Veterans Memorial Highway, on April 12 at 6:59 p.m. and allegedly stole a generator. The generator was valued at approximately $1,800.

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 two employees on June 18 for allegedly selling cannabis products at an East Northport store.

In response to community complaints, Second Precinct Investigative Unit officers executed a search warrant at Oasis Smoke Shop, located at 38 Laurel Road and seized marijuana, THC marijuana vapes, large quantities of flavor vape products as well as a large quantity of THC products and more than $10,000 in cash.

Two employees of the store, Alexis Cruz and Juan Daniel Veliz Hernandez were arrested. Cruz, 22, of Huntington Station, was charged with alleged Sale of Cannabis without a License, three counts of Unlawful Sale of Cannabis and Criminal Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd Degree. Juan Veliz Hernandez, 24, of East Northport, was charged with alleged Sale of Cannabis without a License, and Unlawful Sale of Cannabis.

The New York State Office of Cannabis Management sealed the business and changed the locks. The Town of Huntington issued 4 combined building and fire violations and is conducting an investigation into the business. NYS Office of Cannabis Management Enforcement Unit, Town of Huntington Ordinance Inspector and the Town of Huntington Fire Marshal assisted in the investigation. The two men were issued Desk Appearance Tickets and are scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on July 8.

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Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on June 18 that Thomas Gaylor, 70, of Lake Ronkonkoma, was found guilty of felony Driving While Intoxicated and Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, for driving his vehicle while intoxicated on Ronkonkoma Avenue in Ronkonkoma in 2023.

“In 2025, there is no excuse for driving drunk,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Car Services, taxis and rideshares are everywhere. Unfortunately, we see too often how drunk or drugged driving can lead to a tragic result. Repeating that same offense shows a complete and utter disregard for human life.”

The evidence at trial established that, on November 9, 2023, at approximately 5:40 p.m., Gaylor was observed operating a 2018 White Chevrolet Cruze in a northbound direction on Ronkonkoma Avenue in Ronkonkoma. Gaylor was driving the car erratically by driving significantly below the speed limit, breaking at odd points in the road, and even veering into oncoming traffic. A witness driving behind him called 911 to report the dangerous and erratic driving to police. Gaylor was eventually located by Suffolk County police a short time later, parked outside his home and slumped over the steering wheel. After being transported to the hospital due to his high level of intoxication, he consented to a blood draw, revealing that his blood alcohol level was .33, over four times the legal limit of .08.

On June 18, 2025, Gaylor was convicted after a jury trial heard before Acting County Court Judge James A. McDonaugh for Driving While Intoxicated, a Class E felony, and Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, a Class E felony. Gaylor was previously convicted of Driving While Intoxicated on August 27, 2018.

He is due back in court on August 13, 2025, and faces up to 1 and 1/3 to 4 years’ incarceration. Gaylor is being represented by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Syl-Don O’Gilvie and Sean Lorthioir of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Major Crime Bureau.

Suffolk County D.A. Raymond Tierney

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on June 18 that James Quininchetta, 40, of Ridge, was indicted for Murder in the Second Degree, and related charges, in connection with the fatal shooting of his former girlfriend Rebecca Roth, 33, of Moriches.

“What was, at most, a minor financial dispute escalated to a senseless act of violence,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Our office will seek justice for Rebecca Roth and her family.”

According to the investigation, on June 6, 2025, at around 12:30 a.m., Quininchetta allegedly traveled by rideshare service to Roth’s residence located in the Heatherwood Apartment Complex in Moriches to try to collect money the victim allegedly owed him. When he approached, she allegedly refused to pay him back. Quininchetta then allegedly fired a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun at Roth seven times while she was inside her parked vehicle and fled the scene. A forensic examination would later reveal that she had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to her torso. After the shooting, the defendant is alleged to have discarded the weapon and ammunition before returning to his residence via rideshare service.

When Suffolk County Police responded to the scene, they recovered the alleged murder weapon, which was found abandoned near a pickup truck in an adjacent parking lot.

The department’s K-9 unit also located a gray fanny pack containing ammunition in a wooded area near the complex exit. Further scene investigation recovered ammunition packaging and spent shell casings.

On June 7, 2025, shortly after midnight, Quininchetta voluntarily surrendered at the Suffolk County Police Seventh Precinct in Shirley.

Justice Mazzei has ordered that Quininchetta be remanded during the pendency of the case. Quininchetta is due back in court on July 30, 2025, and faces 40 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by George Duncan, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eric S. Aboulafia of the Homicide Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detectives Matthew Sagistano, James Hughes, and Michael Ronca of the Suffolk County Homicide Squad.

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Police car
Do you recognize this man? 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 man who allegedly stole merchandise from a Centereach store.

The man pictured on the right allegedly stole three blenders, valued at $917, from Walmart, located at 161 Centereach Mall, on May 30 at approximately 8 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.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who stole property from a vehicle in Coram this week.

A man was captured on video entering an unlocked vehicle on Grady Lane on June 11 and stealing a wallet containing a New York State driver license and debit cards.

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 man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who allegedly stole from a Commack store in April.

The man pictured above allegedly entered Harbor Freight, located at 116 Veterans Memorial Highway, on April 24 at approximately 1:45 p.m. and stole a generator and three drills, valued at approximately $1,195.

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

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Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who allegedly stole from a Commack store in April.

The man pictured above allegedly entered Harbor Freight, located at 116 Veterans Memorial Highway, on April 30 at 6:08 p.m. and stole a generator, jump starter, and pocketknife, valued at approximately $1,490.

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 couple? Photo from SCPD

Just released! Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate two people who allegedly stole merchandise from a South Setauket store.

The man and woman pictured above allegedly stole approximately $865 worth of groceries from Stop and Shop, located at 260 Pond Path, on May 19 at 12:20 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.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fifth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who burglarized a business in Medford this week.

A man broke the glass door and entered Kelly’s Cards & Gifts, located at 1699 Route 112, on June 14 at approximately 3:40 a.m. The suspect, who was wearing a yellow hooded sweatshirt with the word AERO on the front, arrived at the location on a bicycle and was wearing a black backpack. The man fled with cash.

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.