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Have you seen Dominick Yannotto? Photo from SCPD

Update: Dominick Yannotto has been located, unharmed.

Below is the original press release:

Suffolk County Police have issued a Silver Alert for a missing elderly South Setauket man.

Dominick Yannotto, 81, was last seen leaving his home, located at 6 Hart Lane in his gray Hyundai Elantra with New York State license plate AXK 5052 on November 13 at 6 a.m. He was reported missing on Nov. 14.

Yannotto is white, 5 feet 8 inches tall, and 170 pounds. He has gray hair and was last seen wearing a black jacket with blue jeans. He has a tattoo on his right arm of a mask.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on Yannotto’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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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 a man who allegedly stole from a Commack store in November.

A man allegedly stole assorted vitamins and supplements from Whole Foods, located at 120 Veterans Memorial Highway, at 4:10 p.m. on November 10. The merchandise was valued at approximately $1,310.

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 arrested a Medford Fire Department volunteer firefighter on Nov. 13 for allegedly intentionally setting a brush fire in Medford.

Jonathan Quiles was observed by a witness allegedly intentionally set a fire in a wooded area on Mount Vernon Avenue at approximately 3:35 p.m. on November 12. The fire also damaged a 2004 Chevrolet parked nearby.

Following an investigation by Arson Section detectives, Quiles, 20, of Medford, was charged with Arson 4th Degree, Arson 5th Degree and Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree. He was scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on the same day.

Regarding the arrest, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney released a statement around 2 p.m.on Nov. 13 stating, “Unfortunately, under New York’s “Bail Reform,” intentionally setting fires in the midst of the dangerously dry conditions and a statewide burn ban are not bail eligible offenses, meaning my prosecutors cannot even ask for bail on these charges. Our New York lawmakers need to get their
act together and pass common sense fixes to a broken bail system.”

 

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Stock photo

Suffolk County Police arrested a Manorville man on Nov. 13 for harassing and intentionally damaging a
man’s vehicle in Manorville due to the man’s race.

A subcontractor for a cellular company was working in a GMC Terrain at the corner of Sylvan Court
and Weeks Avenue on November 3 at 7 p.m. when he was approached by a man who questioned what
the subcontractor was doing in the area. The man, who identified himself as a law enforcement officer,
refused to look at the worker’s credentials. The man then kicked the GMC, causing damage, ripped off
the light affixed to the top of the vehicle and threw it at the worker, who is Black, while using a racial
slur.

Following an investigation by Hate Crimes Unit detectives, John Murphy, 40, of Manorville, who is a
Rockville Centre Police Department detective, was charged with two counts of Criminal Mischief 4th
Degree as a Hate Crime, a felony, and Aggravated Harassment 2nd Degree, a misdemeanor. Murphy will
be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on November 13.

Regarding the incident, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said, “The victim here was just trying to do his job, when the defendant allegedly harassed him and damaged his vehicle. To make matters worse, the defendant is a sworn law enforcement officer, responsible for protecting the rights of citizens, rather than violating them, as is alleged here. I thank the Suffolk County Police Department’s Hate Crimes Unit for taking this crime seriously and following the evidence no matter where it led. Such conduct will not be tolerated in Suffolk County.”

 

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Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD
Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who allegedly stole from a Medford store.

A man allegedly stole $318.90 worth of merchandise from TJ Maxx, located at 2799 Route 112, on November 1 at approximately 4 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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Photo from SCPD
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 a package from the porch of a Ronkonkoma home.

A man allegedly stole a package containing two iPhones, valued at approximately $1,800, from the porch of a home on Springdale Drive, on October 9 at approximately 6 p.m. The man fled the scene in a newer model Silver Honda Accord.

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 District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office

Dolores Mancialandaverde Tried to Evade Responsibility by Fleeing on Foot After Crashing into a Tractor Trailer

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Nov. 12 that Dolores Mancialandaverde, 28, of Medford, pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, and other related charges, for allegedly operating a motor vehicle while his privilege to drive in New York State was suspended, and then leaving the scene of a crash that resulted in the death of his passenger, Hedilberto Nava-Perez, 44, of Medford, and serious physical injuries to another passenger.

“Mancialandaverde was not supposed to be driving due to having a suspended license,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Thus, this tragedy could have been avoided. Instead, this defendant chose to endanger Suffolk County residents through his egregious conduct and, in the process, caused the death of Hedilberto Nava-Perez, an innocent passenger in the defendant’s car.”

According to the investigation, on June 8, 2024, at approximately 1:52 a.m., Mancialandaverde was driving his 2008 BMW 328i southbound on Horseblock Road in Medford, with two passengers inside. As a tractor trailer was making a left-hand turn from Horseblock Road onto Express Drive North, Mancialandaverde drove through the intersection and crashed into the tractor trailer. Mancialandaverde exited his vehicle and fled on foot as a bystander attempted to render aid to the victims.

Nava-Perez, Mancialandaverde’s back-seat passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene. Mancialandaverde’s front-seat passenger suffered femur, spinal, and facial fractures, and was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital. The driver of the tractor trailer was uninjured.

At the time of the crash, Mancialandaverde’s privilege to drive in New York was suspended.

On November 12, 2024, Mancialandaverde pleaded guilty to Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, a Class D felony, and Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, a Class E felony, before Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei.

Mancialandaverde is due back in court on January 8, 2025, and faces two to six years in prison at sentencing. He is being represented by Luigi Belcastro, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Rosenheck of the Vehicular Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Donal Hughes of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Major Case Unit.

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Joseph Scalafani. Photo from SCPD

Two Co-Defendants Also Pleaded Guilty to Hindering Prosecution

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Joseph Scalafani, 34, of Mastic Beach, pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree for the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Alex Smith, also of Mastic Beach. His brother Daniel Scalafani, and friend, Jeffrey Mercury, also pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree for assisting the defendant flee New York after the murder.

“Today’s guilty plea closes a case where a life was senselessly taken and efforts to evade justice failed. Although it will not bring back Mr. Smith, the defendant and the two accomplices who aided his attempt to escape have all now been held accountable,” said District Attorney Tierney. “In Suffolk County, playing any role in attempts to flee from a homicide will be met with serious consequences.”

On May 20, 2023, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Joseph Scalafani ambushed Smith and his ex- girlfriend as they exited a bar in Mastic Beach. Joseph Scalafani fired numerous shots at Smith, striking him multiple times in the back and torso.

While Smith was collapsed on the ground, Joseph Scalafani shot him again, twice in the head at close range. He then got into his vehicle and fled the scene, only to crash a short distance away and then flee on foot. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.

After the murder, Scalafani fled New York with the help of his brother, Daniel Scalafani, 31, of Shirley, and friend Jeffrey Mercury, 62, of Mastic Beach. Daniel Scalafani and Mercury each provided money to the defendant to assist him in fleeing New York and then lied to law enforcement when asked about his whereabouts. Additionally, Mercury drove Joseph Scalafani down to Virginia and dropped him off to assist him in evading apprehension.

On June 4, 2023, Joseph Scalafani was tracked down and arrested in Florida by members of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. He was then extradited back to Suffolk County on July 6, 2023.

On December 20, 2023, Daniel Scalafani pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, a Class D felony, before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins. Daniel Scalafani is due back in court on December 6, 2024, and he is being represented by Peter J. Creedon, Esq. and Jonathan Gill, Esq.

On February 1, 2024, Mercury pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, a Class D felony, before Justice Collins. Mercury is due back in court on November 21, 2024, and he is being represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

On November 12, 2024, Joseph Scalafani pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A violent felony before Justice Collins. Joseph Scalafani is expected to be sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.

Joseph Scalafani is due back in court on January 21, 2025, and he is being represented by Anthony LaPinta, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Guidarelli of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Thomas M. Palumbo and Detective Brendan O’Hara of the Suffolk County Police Department Homicide Squad.

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File photo

Suffolk County Police arrested two women for alleged prostitution during a raid at a business operating
out of an apartment in East Northport on Nov. 12.

In response to numerous community complaints, Second Precinct Crime Section officers, in conjunction
with the Town of Huntington Fire Marshal and Building Department, conducted an investigation into
Welian International Inc., located at 360 Larkfield Road, unit 21.

Two employees, Teresa Zhang, 51, of New York, NY, and Alexandra Thalia Higinio, 31, of Jersey City,
NJ, were both charged with Unauthorized Practice of a Profession, and Prostitution. Zhang was
additionally charged with Criminal Nuisance 2nd Degree.

Zhang and Higinio were both issued Desk Appearance Tickets and are scheduled to appear at First
District Court in Central Islip on a later date.

The Town of Huntington issued several violations to the business.

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Pixabay photo

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and the Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES) announced on Nov. 12 that Suffolk County has deployed members from 10 fire departments to Orange County to assist with the ongoing Jennings Creek Wildfire.

The following departments responded: Central Islip, Eastport, Amagansett, Dix Hills, Huntington, West Islip, Southampton, East Hampton, East Marion, and Orient.

“Our first responders are always prepared to answer the call to help wherever they are needed. I am proud of their commitment, and we thank them for their sacrifice,” said Romaine. “Our region has experienced one of the driest months on record, leading to extremely dry conditions and a real possibility of rapid fire spread if ignition occurs so we recognize the urgency of this matter.”

Suffolk County is currently under a Red Flag Warning. According to the National Weather Service, a Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected or are occurring. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels would create a significant elevated fire growth potential.

“Our residents can be assured that Suffolk County is home to 109 fire departments and still has sufficient resources to respond to emergencies locally,” said Suffolk County FRES Commissioner Rudy Sunderman.

Suffolk County FRES urges residents to be cautious and provides the following safety tips to prevent further incidents: Avoid recreational fires, always have a fire extinguisher nearby, fully extinguish any flames, and report uncontrolled fires immediately.

The Suffolk County Parks Department has issued a ban on all campfires and open flames in all County parks. Please be cautious when extinguishing cigarettes and remain aware of any signs of fire.

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