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Police & Fire

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METRO photo

Suffolk County Legislators Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) and Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station), in conjunction with Suffolk County Fire, Rescue & Emergency Services, will host a free Emergency Preparedness Seminar for Citizens on Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Dix Hills Fire Department Station 1, located at 590 Deer Park Avenue in Dix Hills.

As hurricane season approaches, the seminar offers residents and families an opportunity to learn how to prepare for severe weather and other emergency situations. The one-hour session is open to all and requires no registration. Light refreshments will be provided.

Topics covered will include:

  • Extreme weather awareness
  • Personal and family preparedness
  • Emergency alerts and notifications
  • What to do during emergencies
  • Suffolk County’s disaster response plans

For more information, please contact Legislator Donnelly’s office at (631) 854-4433 or Legislator Sanin’s office at (631) 854-5100.

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Suffolk County D.A. Raymond Tierney

John Murphy Allegedly Attacked a Cellphone Company Employee While Using a Racial Slur

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on June 3 that John Murphy, 41, of Manorville, was indicted on hate crime-related charges, for allegedly attacking a cellphone company employee while using a racial slur and damaging his work vehicle. The defendant is employed as a Detective with the Village of Rockville Centre Police Department.

“The victim in this case was just doing his job, working to improve cellphone service for Suffolk County residents, when the defendant allegedly attacked him and damaged his vehicle,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Even more troubling is that the defendant is a sworn police officer, responsible for protecting the rights of all citizens. The conduct alleged in this indictment will not be tolerated, regardless of what position a defendant holds.”

According to the investigation, on November 3, 2024, the cellphone company employee was driving around the Manorville area inspecting the nearby cellphone towers to ensure the networks were properly transmitting service. At approximately 7:00p.m., while still working, the cellphone company employee drove through the defendant’s neighborhood in his work-issued vehicle, which had a blinking amber light on the roof.

The employee drove around the neighborhood to test the cellphone tower located behind the residential cul-de-sac, and when finished, parked his vehicle at the corner of the street to complete paperwork.

The defendant was alerted by a neighbor of the cellphone company employee’s vehicle and, in response, left his home and approached the employee who was seated in his vehicle. The defendant allegedly questioned the cellphone company employee about his presence on the block, and when the employee tried to show the defendant his identification, the defendant began to yell at the employee. The defendant allegedly put his arm inside the employee’s vehicle through the open window, opened the vehicle door and grabbed the employee’s laptop.

The employee then grabbed the laptop back and the defendant allegedly slammed the vehicle door shut while telling the employee, in sum and substance, “get out of here, we don’t want you or your like in the neighborhood,” and used a racial slur towards the employee. The defendant then allegedly ripped the amber light off of the top of the vehicle and threw it at the employee’s vehicle, breaking the light into pieces. The defendant then allegedly kicked the driver-side door of the vehicle, causing damage. The employee was finally able to drive to safety, and the defendant allegedly picked up the broken amber light and threw it at the vehicle again. The employee drove around the corner and called 9-1-1.

Following the investigation led by the Suffolk County Police Department’s Hate Crime Unit, Murphy was arrested on November 13, 2024.

On June 3, 2025, Murphy was arraigned on an indictment before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins for the following charges:

  •   One count of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, as a Hate Crime, a Class D felony;
  •   One count of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, as a Hate Crime, a Class E felony;and
  •   One count of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.If convicted of the top count, the defendant faces up to 2 & 1/3 to 7 years in prison.

These offenses are considered non-bail eligible under New York State law, and therefore the defendant was released on his own recognizance. He is being represented by William Petrillo, Esq. and is due back in court on July 23, 2025.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Alyssa Costantino and Tara O’Donnell of the Public Corruption Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Delfina Rivera of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Hate Crime Unit.

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Police car stock photo

Suffolk County Police arrested a man on multiple charges in connection to recordings allegedly made at businesses and private residences in Centereach and Selden on June 2.

Kyle Vazquez

Kyle Vazquez dumped a large container of eggs on his head in front of the entrance to Ralph’s Italian Ices, located at 1370 Middle Country Road, Centereach, on the evening of April 29. He then fled the scene in an automobile, leaving eggs and broken shells on the entranceway and front door to the business. The incident was recorded and uploaded to Vazquez’ social media account.

During a follow-up investigation by the Sixth Precinct Investigative Unit, it was determined that Vazquez had recorded and uploaded footage to social media involving other victims at the following locations:

— Wing Wah, a restaurant located at 1970 Middle Country Road, Centereach, where he entered and poured a bucket of beans over his head and onto the floor on April 30 at 8:45 p.m.

— Three separate residences, two in Centereach and one in Selden, where he requested to use the bathroom and then filmed the residents and the inside of their homes without their knowledge or consent while creating a disturbance. These incidents occurred between May 19 and May 24.

Vazquez was arrested at the home of a friend on Holiday Park Drive, Centereach, on June 2 at 8:20 p.m.

Sixth Squad Detectives charged Vazquez, 21, of Coram, with three counts of Dissemination of an Unlawful Surveillance Image 1st Degree, three counts of Unlawful Surveillance 2nd Degree, and two counts of Criminal Tampering. He is being held overnight at the Sixth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on June 3.

If you believe you have been victimized by Vazquez, please contact the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652.

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File photo

Suffolk County Police are investigating an incident  where one man died and another was injured after a dumpster was emptied into a garbage truck on May 29.

Two men were in a dumpster at 108 Veterans Memorial Highway in Commack when the dumpster was emptied into a garbage truck, police said. When the truck stopped at William Rogers Middle School, at 97 Old Dock Road in Kings Park, someone saw a person inside the back of the truck around 6:30 a.m. That man, Emilson Hernandez, 21, suffered a leg injury and was brought to Huntington Hospital.

A second man, Eblein Lopez, 45, was then discovered in the truck and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the medical examiner’s office will determine the cause of death, but said they don’t believe the man was dead before he was dumped in the truck. They also said it is believed the men were sleeping in the dumpster.

School officials in Kings Park sent a message to parents to assure them that the emergency response at the middle school was “completely unrelated” to the school, that there was no threat to students or staff, and that classes were operating as usual.

 

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Stock photo

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced on June 2 that a South Setauket man pleaded guilty today to Assault in the First Degree for the repeated abuse of his five-week-old son in January 2024 that caused a subdural hematoma to the baby’s brain that required life-saving surgical intervention.

Vincent Distasi, 33, pleaded guilty today in Suffolk County Court before Judge Richard Ambro to Assault in the First Degree (a B violent felony) in satisfaction of the indictment.

The defendant is expected to receive 17 years in prison and five years post release supervision when he is sentenced. NCDA recommended a sentence of 19 years in prison. Distasi is due back in court on August 4, 2025.

The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office was designated as special prosecutor on this case.

“Vicent Distasi is a sick and angry man who repeatedly beat up on his five-week-old son, filling that child’s first weeks on this earth with pain and violence,” said DA Donnelly. “When Distasi’s shocking, repeated abuse culminated in a near-fatal brain injury to his son and a trip to the emergency room, doctors horrifyingly discovered additional injuries, some already in the stages of healing, that told the full story of the disgusting abuse that this baby endured at the hands of his own father. To this day, the child – now one and a half years old – continues to have medical complications and recently underwent another surgery on his skull to drain fluid in his brain. While he survived his father’s brutal attack, the child’s quality of life remains uncertain. But what is certain is that Distasi will spend nearly two decades in prison for his crimes and will never be a danger to his son again.”

DA Donnelly said that on January 21, 2024, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the five-week-old son of defendant Vincent Distasi was rushed to Stony Brook University Hospital unresponsive and required emergency brain surgery.

Doctors later determined the child suffered from multiple injuries, including rib fractures, fractures to both arms, and a subdural hematoma to his brain, among other acute injuries.

The infant’s injuries were in various stages of healing indicating that the child had suffered prolonged abuse.

As part of the criminal investigation, Ring video footage was secured from the Distasi home that recorded the family’s living room.

Review of the footage showed the defendant abusing the infant throughout the first five weeks of his life. The video showed the defendant tossing, punching, smacking, and smothering the child over the course of weeks. On January 21, 2024, the defendant violently shook the infant, causing the injuries that resulted in the child’s emergency surgery.

The defendant was arrested on January 29, 2024, outside of Stony Brook University Hospital by members of the Suffolk County Police Department’s 6th Precinct and Special Victims Section.

The case is being prosecuted by Bureau Chief Emma Slane and Deputy Bureau Chief Laura Dorfman of the Special Victims Bureau under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Litigation Division Kevin Higgins. The defendant is represented by Anthony LaPinta, Esq.

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The New York State Police are warning the public about an ongoing phone spoofing scam in which scammers impersonate members of law enforcement or government agencies in an attempt to solicit sensitive personal information from individuals across New York State and beyond.

According to a press release on May 30, in recent days individuals have reported receiving phone calls from numbers that appear to be legitimate New York State Police phone lines,Callers falsely claiming to be law enforcement officials have demanded personal information such as Social Security numbers and have threatened punitive action against recipients who refuse to comply.

These calls are fraudulent. The New York State Police and other legitimate government agencies will never call individuals and demand sensitive information or threaten arrest or legal action over the phone.

Phone number spoofing is a tactic commonly used by scammers nationwide to make it appear as if calls are coming from trusted agencies. These scams are designed to create confusion and fear, often leading victims to comply with demands or share information that can be used to commit further fraud.

What You Should Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call:

  1. Do not provide any personal information.
  2. Do not send money or make payments under threat.
  3. Hang up immediately—even if the caller ID appears legitimate.
  4. Save any voicemails and record the phone number if possible.
  5. Verify the call by contacting the agency directly using a trusted number.

The New York State Police urge all residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity involving impersonation of law enforcement or government agencies.

 

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File photo

Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a motorcyclist in Farmingville on June 1.

Thomas Biglow was driving a 2018 Ford Explorer southbound on Blue Point Road when he attempted to make a left turn onto Pinedale Avenue, colliding with a 2018 Kawasaki Ninja being driven northbound on Blue Point Road at 1:17 p.m.

The operator of the Kawasaki, Brenda Ingraham, 28, of Farmingville, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Biglow, 38, of Patchogue, was transported to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries. There were no other injuries reported.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks. Anyone with information on this crash is asked to contact Sixth Squad detectives at 631-854-8652.

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Pixabay photo

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on May 30 that the manager of a Melville-based company was indicted on charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

Tony Ream, 33,  of Greenville, S.C. was a credit supervisor for a worldwide distributor of medical and dental supplies with its principal place of business in Melville, New York.  Over the course of four years, Ream, Ream, also known as “Tony Ream-Hendley” and “Tony Moul Ream,” allegedly sent wire transfers totaling approximately $1.6 million from the Company’s bank account to a bank account that he controlled.

“As alleged, Ream is a thief who abused his authority and betrayed his employer to fund his lifestyle, including paying for the renovations of a restaurant he opened, footing the bill for his own wedding, and traveling around the world, all on the company’s dime,” stated United States Attorney Nocella in a press release. “Embezzling company funds is a serious crime and my Office will vigorously prosecute this case to ensure Ream is held accountable for his brazen scheme.”

“Tony Ream allegedly embezzled over one million dollars from his former company by diverting corporate funds to his personal account and deceiving his subordinates into perpetuating this theft,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “Ream allegedly abused his position and stole from his former company to fund his extravagant expenses.  The FBI remains committed to investigating any individual who orchestrates a scheme to exploit their company to finance personal wish lists.”

As set forth in court filings and statements made in court, Ream was hired by the Melville company in 2019 to work in their credit department. Starting in 2020 as a credit supervisor, Ream stole corporate funds from customer refund accounts and diverted the funds to his own accounts.  Additionally, while in his role as supervisor, it is alleged that Ream deceived employees whom he supervised into taking steps that assisted him in carrying out his fraudulent scheme. Ream spent tens of thousands of dollars of the proceeds of his fraud on his wedding, hundreds of thousands on a failed restaurant venture in South Carolina, and tens of thousands on luxury international vacations.

If convicted, Ream faces up to 20 years in prison.

 

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A scene from Smithtown Festival Day 2023. Photo by Daniel Febrizio/TBR News Media

The Suffolk County Police Department is advising motorists of a road closure for the Smithtown Day
Festival on Sunday, June 1.

The 36th annual festival, hosted by the Smithtown Chamber of Commerce, will take place along Main Street in Smithtown from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring local vendors, food, live entertainment and plenty of family fun activities while supporting local businesses.

Main Street/Route 25 will be closed in both directions between Route 111 and Maple Avenue in
Smithtown between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Motorists are advised to use alternate routes.

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UPDATE:  Jose Garcia has been located, unharmed.
 
Below is the original release:
 
Suffolk County Police have issued a Silver Alert for a missing Miller Place man who suffers from dementia.
Jose Garcia, 82, left his home, located on Henearly Drive, on May 30 at approximately 8 p.m. Garcia was driving a red 2018 Toyota Corolla with New York State license plate BRK8237. His vehicle was seen at southbound Route 110 in Farmingdale. He may have been heading to an apartment complex, located on 53rd Street in Woodside, Queens.
His vehicle was seen crossing into the Bronx from the Henry Hudson Bridge at approximately 2 a.m.
Garcia is white, 5 feet 10 inches tall with gray hair and brown eyes, and uses hearing aids.
 
Detectives are asking anyone with information on Garcia’s location to call 911 or Sixth Squad detectives at 631-854-8652.
Silver Alert is a program implemented in Suffolk County that allows local law enforcement to share information with media outlets about individuals with special needs who have been reported missing.
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