Police & Fire

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Harjindar Singh

Suffolk County Police arrested a man for allegedly forcibly touching a girl in Huntington Station on Oct. 16.

A 16-year-old female walked into the BP gas station, located at 233 Walt Whitman Road on October 14 at approximately 10 p.m. when she engaged in conversation with a gas station attendant. The employee allegedly forcibly touched the female two separate times. The victim left the gas station and reported the incident to the Suffolk County Police Department on October 15. Following an investigation, Second Squad detectives arrested Harjindar Singh on Oct. 16.

Singh, 61, of Greenlawn, was charged with two counts of Forcible Touching and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Singh will be held overnight and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on October 17.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this case or who maybe a victim of Singh, to contact the Second Squad at 631-854-8252.

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Daquan Booker

Daquan Booker Held Without Bail on Prior Suffolk County Indictment

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 16 that Daquan Booker, 34, of Smithtown, was ordered remanded after a Suffolk County Court hearing following his re-arrest by Nassau County authorities. Booker had previously been placed into the Suffolk County Court’s Judicial Diversion Program, over the objection of prosecutors.

“The State Legislature has insulated narcotics traffickers like Daquan Booker from the consequences of their actions by prohibiting prosecutors from asking for bail and silencing us in decisions to divert cases away from impactful sentencing. The results have been deadly,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Distribution of fentanyl is never victimless. It is depraved indifference to the lives of our communities and children and prosecutors must be empowered to stop it. The diversion courts in Suffolk and New York are broken and must be fixed before more innocent lives are lost.”

“I am pleased that Daquan Booker was remanded after his court appearance today in Suffolk County. This defendant is being prosecuted in both Suffolk and Nassau Counties for possessing and selling deadly fentanyl. Just yesterday, he was arraigned for allegedly selling illegal opioids to 17-year-old Grace Wrightington that contained fentanyl and resulted in her fatal overdose. However, we could not charge Booker with Grace’s senseless death because of deficiencies in our state law,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly. Working together with District Attorney Tierney, we will continue to put pressure on our legislature to pass meaningful reforms that finally hold drug dealers accountable for the deaths their drugs cause and the pain they inflict upon the families of those who tragically overdose.”

On July 11, 2023, members of the Suffolk County Police Department arrested Booker following the culmination of an investigation that found Booker had sold pressed fentanyl pills to undercover officers. Though Booker was promptly indicted, he remained out of custody because his charges were considered non-bail eligible under New York State law, meaning that prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set, bail.

On February 27, 2024, Booker pleaded guilty to all four counts in the indictment – which contained two counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree – in exchange for the Court’s commitment to allow the defendant to participate in the Judicial Diversion Program, a state-created program reserved for those individuals whose crimes are found to have a nexus with a defendant’s personal substance abuse or addiction. The District Attorney’s Office had strongly opposed his entry into the program.

On June 15, 2024, members of the Suffolk County Police Department arrested Booker on a second occasion, following an alleged Reckless Driving offense that resulted in additional charges for Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree, Resisting Arrest, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, and Assault in the Second Degree. Although he was remanded following his arrest, the Court later decided to release Booker in August, and afford him an additional opportunity to resume participation in the Judicial Diversion Program. This decision, too, was over an objection by the District Attorney.

On October 11, 2024, Booker was arrested on an indictment warrant that had been issued out of neighboring Nassau County. In execution of that warrant, authorities apprehended Booker at the Riverhead Correctional Facility, where he had intended to visit an inmate.

Upon his return to Nassau County for processing, Booker was allegedly found to possess a quantity of cocaine, resulting in yet another criminal charge for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree. Booker was released following arraignment on all charges in Nassau County on October 15, 2024.

On October 16, 2024, subject to a renewed application by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Booker was remanded without bail on his original case pending in Suffolk County Court, and a pre-sentence investigation was ordered. His next scheduled court date has been set for November 1, 2024.

Supreme Court Justice Philip Goglas, who remanded Booker, had previously promised the defendant an upstate sentence of two years determinate; to be followed by two years of post-release supervision, should Booker fail to complete the terms of treatment set forth in his Judicial Diversion contract. He is being represented by Danielle Papa, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lauren Golombek of the Narcotics Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by members of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Narcotics Section.

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Three people were arrested on Oct. 16 for stealing catalytic converters in Suffolk County following an eight-month investigation.

In February, 2024 the Suffolk County Police Department received reports of several men who were working as a team to steal catalytic converters at night, successfully removing the car parts in less than two minutes per vehicle.

Following an investigation by the Suffolk County Police Department, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Financial Crimes Bureau, the United States Marshals Taskforce, the New York Police Department’s 83rd Precinct, and the Nassau County Police Department, search warrants were executed at the homes of Jose Deleon in Brooklyn and Oliver Morocho in Elmhurst this morning.

Deleon, 37, was charged with three counts of Grand Larceny 4th Degree, three counts of Auto Stripping 3rd Degree, three counts of Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree, and two counts of Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree.

Morocho, 21, was charged with two counts of Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, 11 counts of Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree, six counts of Grand Larceny 4th Degree, 13 counts of Auto Stripping 3rd Degree, and one count of Petit Larceny.

A third man, Albert Espinal, 23, of Corona, was arrested outside of Morocho’s house and charged with one count of Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, 11 counts of Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree, five counts of Grand Larceny 4th Degree, 12 counts of Auto Stripping, 3rd Degree, and one count of Petit Larceny.

As a result of the investigation, investigators seized catalytic converters, auto stripping tools and equipment, money, and cell phones. Two vehicles were also impounded. It is under investigation how many catalytic converters were stolen.

Deleon, Morocho, and Espinal, are all being held overnight at the Third Precinct and will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on October 17.

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Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body found in a vehicle in Hauppauge  on Oct. 16.

Suffolk County Police Highway Patrol officers responded to a parked vehicle on the shoulder of eastbound Long Island Expressway near Route 111 on October 16 at approximately 1:15 p.m. Officers discovered a body in the front seat of a 2019 Jeep. Following an investigation by Fourth Squad detectives, the body was identified as Luis Gonzalez.

Gonzalez, 62, undomiciled, was taken to the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

The Suffolk County Police Department will hold a property auction on Wednesday, October 23 at the Property Section, located at 30 Yaphank Ave. in Yaphank. The auction will begin at 9 a.m. and will be held rain or shine.

There will be a preview of jewelry and select property on Tuesday, October 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Bidders will be allowed to examine certain jewelry lots more closely using a jewelry loupe.

Among the items being auctioned are hand & power tools, landscaping items, electronics, kayaks, bicycles, household items, scopes & cases, jewelry, watches & much more! Participants must be at least 18 years old to bid. All items are sold in “as in” condition and must be purchased with cash.

For a printable list of all items up for auction, click here.

For more information, visit www.suffolkpd.org or click here.

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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the woman who allegedly stole merchandise from an Islandia store this month.

A woman allegedly stole approximately $975 worth of merchandise from Walmart, located at 1850 Veterans Memorial Highway, on October 5 at 9:10 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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Update: Lawrence Quintyne, 35, of Daly City, California, has been identified as the pedestrian seriously
injured in a motor vehicle crash in Ronkonkoma on Oct. 16. Below is the original press release:

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured a pedestrian in Ronkonkoma on Oct. 16.

Manuel Cardoso was driving a 2015 Kia sedan southbound on Ocean Avenue when the vehicle struck a pedestrian who was crossing the street at the intersection of Johnson Avenue at approximately 3:20 a.m. The pedestrian, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Cardosa, 60, of Ronkonkoma, was not injured.

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

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Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office

Frank Saggio, Police Officer George Trimigliozzi, Islip Teacher Steven Arey, and Dana Ciardullo Allegedly Operated Two Brothels in Suffolk County Over a Period of Four Years

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 15 the indictment of FRANK SAGGIO, GEORGE TRIMIGLIOZZI, STEVEN AREY, and DANA CIARDULLO, accused of Enterprise Corruption and Promoting Prostitution, among other charges, for allegedly running multiple brothels in Suffolk County.

“It is a sad day in law enforcement when a public servant is arrested. However, I made a commitment to this County that no one is above the law, and that includes those who are supposed to embody the best of public service,” said District Attorney Tierney. “The allegations in this indictment describe a long-term pattern of organized criminal activity and a shocking betrayal of public trust.”

According to the years-long investigation, between October 2019 and June 2024, SAGGIO was allegedly the leader of a criminal enterprise that profited from the systematic promotion of prostitution at two locations in Suffolk County.

Members of the alleged Saggio Prostitution Enterprise include TRIMIGLIOZZI, an 18-year veteran of the Suffolk County Police Department; AREY, a 26-year employee of the Islip School District; and CIARDULLO, SAGGIO’s girlfriend.

Each of the criminal defendants are alleged to have unlawfully promoted prostitution by hiring sex workers, collecting proceeds of prostitution from sex workers known as “house fees,” and posting advertisements seeking patrons of prostitution. TRIMIGLIOZZI and AREY allegedly served as managers on SAGGIO’s behalf at a building located on Sunrise Highway in Holbrook known as the American Girls Spa “Suite 3.” The Sunrise Highway building also contained two additional brothels allegedly managed by SAGGIO: Spa “Suite 4” and Reiki for Healing “Suite 5.” CIARDULLO, the fourth member of the alleged criminal enterprise, served as a manager on SAGGIO’s behalf at a location in West Babylon known as the Tunnel of Love.

The investigation further uncovered that an alleged robbery occurred at the American Girls Spa on March 19, 2021. TRIMIGLIOZZI, in his capacity as a manager of the brothel, was called by a sex worker who reported a customer had been robbed while waiting for prostitution services at the American Girls Spa. The sex worker further notified TRIMIGLIOZZI that police officers would be dispatched to the location in response to the prostitution customer’s call to 911. TRIMIGLIOZZI, who was on duty as a police officer at the time, allegedly abandoned his assigned post in the Third Precinct without permission from the police department and drove at a speed nearing 90 miles per hour in his marked patrol car to the brothel in Holbrook, which was located in the confines of the Fifth Precinct. He then allegedly falsified paperwork with the police department in which he did not disclose his unauthorized response to the American Girls Spa in Holbrook. He also allegedly falsified the records of the police department by not disclosing to the department his outside employment as a manager in SAGGIO’s alleged criminal enterprise.

SAGGIO was also indicted on two counts of Sex Trafficking related to his alleged requirement that sex workers engage in prostitution in order to pay him a minimum amount of money each month. Specifically, he allegedly had sex workers who could not read or speak in English sign purported leases which required them to (1) pay $6,000 per month at Suite 4, and (2) $12,000 per month at Tunnel of Love.

On October 15, 2024, the defendants were each arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei.

SAGGIO, 60, of West Islip, is charged with:

  •   One count of Enterprise Corruption, a Class B felony;
  •   Two counts of Sex Trafficking, a Class B felony; and
  •   51 counts of Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, a Class D felony.

    Justice Mazzei ordered SAGGIO held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $5,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. SAGGIO is due back in court on December 9, 2024, and faces 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is represented by Anthony LaPinta, Esq.

    TRIMIGLIOZZI, 55, of Islip, is charged with:

  •   One count of Enterprise Corruption, a Class B felony;
  •   13 counts of Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, Class D felonies;
  •   Two counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, Class E felonies;
  •   One count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E felony;

    and

  •   One count of Official Misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor.

    Justice Mazzei ordered TRIMIGLIOZZI held on $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. TRIMIGLIOZZI is due back in court on December 9, 2024, and faces 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is represented by William Keahon, Esq.

    AREY, 53, of Islip, is charged with:

  •   One count of Enterprise Corruption, a Class B felony; and
  •   27 counts of Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, Class D felonies.

    Justice Mazzei ordered AREY held $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case.

AREY is due back in court on December 9, 2024, and faces 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is represented by William Wexler, Esq.

CIARDULLO, 32, of North Bellmore, is charged with:

  •   One count of Enterprise Corruption, a Class B felony; and
  •   17 counts of Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, Class D felonies.

    Justice Mazzei ordered CIARDULLO held $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. CIARDULLO is due back in court on December 9, 2024, and faces 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count. She is represented by Jan Goldman, Esq.

    This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Laura de Oliveira and Bureau Chief Kevin Ward of the Public Corruption Bureau. The investigation was conducted by investigators assigned to the District Attorney’s Public Corruption Squad.

Noah Green

Noah Green Was Arrested Three Weeks After the 2022 Shooting as a Result of a Joint Investigation by DA Tierney’s Gang Task Force and SCPD Detectives

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 15 that Noah Green, 20, of Shirley, was sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, and other related charges, for shooting at three people, striking two of them in the chest, in front of former United States Congressman Lee Zeldin’s home in October 2022. Green was one of 18 defendants indicted in December 2022 following a long-term investigation into violence committed by a criminal street organization, “No Fake Love.”

“This was a horrific act of gang-related violence that put innocent lives at risk. The defendant’s decision to open fire on a residential neighborhood, with two young girls inside the home he shot towards, demonstrates a complete disregard for human life,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Thanks to the diligent work of law enforcement, justice has been served with a lengthy 12-year prison sentence. We must continue to address the root causes of gang violence in our communities and provide young people with positive alternatives to curtail such senseless acts.”

As established by the investigation and the defendant’s plea allocution, on October 9, 2022, Green left his home with another individual and got into a stolen 2022 Honda CRV. While Green was driving the vehicle, they encountered three rival gang members walking down the street in front of the residence of then-United States Congressman Lee Zeldin. Green shot out of the vehicle multiple times, striking two of the individuals in the chest. Both men survived.

During the shooting, Congressman Zeldin’s daughters were inside the residence doing homework. Afterwards, Green boasted on social media and through other electronic communications about committing the shooting to alleged fellow gang members. During the course of the conspiracy, Green would frequently post his gang affiliation on social media accounts, post photos and videos of himself and other gang members with weapons and stolen vehicles and would utilize social media as a way to taunt and challenge rivals.

On October 31, 2022, at approximately 1:00 p.m., law enforcement was conducting surveillance when they observed Green leave his residence in Shirley and enter the driver’s seat of the stolen 2022 Honda CRV. Members of law enforcement then approached Green, who immediately exited the stolen vehicle and began running away in an attempt to evade apprehension. Green jumped onto the hood and roof of a law enforcement vehicle causing damage to both. During the course of their pursuit, Green continuously refused to comply with the officers’ commands and began reaching for his pants pocket, where law enforcement later recovered a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol with a high-capacity magazine. A microscopic examination of the firearm revealed that this was the same pistol Green had used to commit the October 9th shooting outside of Congressman Zeldin’s home. Additionally, a search of the 2022 Honda CRV revealed that shell casings from the October 9th shooting were still lodged between the windshield and the hood of the vehicle.

On September 12, 2024, Green pleaded guilty to the following charges before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft, Jr.:

  •   Three counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Class B violent felonies;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent

    felonies; and

  •   One count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony.

On October 15, 2024, Justice Senft sentenced Green to 12 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. He was represented by Chad LaVeglia, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Martha Duffy and Donald Barclay of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau. The overall investigation into the No Fake Love gang was conducted by District Attorney Investigator Jean Graf of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Gang Task Force, and the investigation into the October 2022 shooting was conducted Detective Michael Yonelunas of the Suffolk County Police Department.

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Suffolk County Police arrested a man on Oct. 15 for driving with 31 license suspensions in Holbrook. A Highway Patrol officer observed Wayne Lowe texting and not wearing a seatbelt while driving a 2002 Ford F-350 on eastbound Long Island Expressway off-ramp at exit 60 at 11:08 a.m.

Upon further investigation, it was determined that Lowe had 31 license suspensions over 13 dates.

Lowe, 29, of Center Moriches, was issued multiple summonses and charged with one count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 1st Degree, an E felony.

The vehicle was impounded. Lowe will be held overnight at the Sixth Precinct and is scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on October 16.