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Jose Martinez-Vazquez and Tiffany Diaz-Cabrera

Jose Martinez-Vazquez Sentenced to 20 to Life for Killing Benjamin Flores-Mendez and Tiffany Diaz-Cabrera Sentenced to 15 to Life for Acting as a Lookout

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 7 that Jose Martinez-Vazquez, 25, and Tiffany Diaz-Cabrera, 21, both of Port Jefferson Station, have been sentenced for their respective roles in the fatal stabbing of Benjamin Flores- Mendez, 39, also of Port Jefferson Station. Martinez-Vazquez pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree, for fatally stabbing Flores-Mendez. Diaz-Cabrera pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, for acting as a look out while the stabbing took place.

“The lengthy prison terms handed down to both defendants reflect the severity of their actions and our commitment to public safety,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This brutal attack on our greenway trail – a place meant for recreation and community gathering – shook our citizens to the core. With these sentences, we hope to restore a sense of security to our public spaces and deter future acts of violence.”

According to court documents and the defendants’ admissions during their guilty plea allocutions,

on June 17, 2021, Martinez-Vasquez and Diaz-Cabrera followed the victim into the Port Jefferson Station entrance of the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail.

Martinez-Vazquez admitted to fatally stabbing the victim multiple times while Diaz-Cabrera, Martinez-Vazquez’s girlfriend, served as his lookout. The victim was later discovered lying in the entrance of the trail by Good Samaritans.

On March 5, 2023, Suffolk County homicide detectives arrested both defendants.

On July 25, 2024, Martinez-Vazquez pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A violent felony. On August 28, 2024, Martinez-Vazquez was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. He was represented by John Halverson, Esq.

On April 22, 2024, Diaz-Cabrera pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony. On October 7, 2024, Diaz-Cabrera was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. She was represented by Luigi Belcastro, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Tara Laterza of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective James Hughes of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

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Police car. Stock photo

Suffolk County Police last night arrested a man for Leandra’s Law for allegedly driving while intoxicated in Rocky Point after he crashed a vehicle with a child passenger inside.

Edward Milano was driving a 2017 Jeep Cherokee eastbound on Lower Rocky Point Road, when the vehicle veered left at the intersection of Hagerman Landing Road, left the roadway, and crashed, at 9:18 p.m.

When police arrived, Milano displayed signs of impairment and was placed under arrest. His 6-year-old daughter, who was the only passenger in the vehicle, was transported to St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson for treatment of minor injuries and released to the custody of a family member.

Milano, 36, of Rocky Point, was charged with Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child Passenger 15 Years Old or Younger (Leandra’s Law), Operating a Motor Vehicle Impaired by Drugs, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

He will be held overnight at the Sixth Precinct and is scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on October 5.

The Jeep was impounded. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.

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Events aimed at building bridges and breaking down biases through activities and outreach

Members of the Suffolk County Police Department and faith-based groups will come together to offer activities during the fifth annual collaborative initiative National Faith & Blue Weekend (NFBW) from October 6 through October 14.

The idea behind the National Faith & Blue Weekend is to create safer, more inclusive communities by connecting law enforcement officers and the residents they protect and serve. Each of the department’s seven precincts will partner with a religious institution to offer a variety of activities designed to enable law enforcement officers and members of the public to get to know each other, and to build mutual understanding.The events will be held at:

• The Harbor Church, 25 Frowein Road, Center Moriches, on October 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• SCPD Second Precinct, 1071 Park Ave., Huntington, on October 11 from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 1 Molloy St., Copiague, on October 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Activities include a food and clothing drive and a parking lot cleanup of properties near the church.
• St. Anne’s Church, 88 2nd Ave., Brentwood, on October 13 from 8 a.m. to noon. Join officers for a discussion.
• Cornerstone Christian Cultural Center, 1563 Montauk Highway, Bellport, on October 13 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Join officers for Sunday mass followed by refreshments.

• Church of St. Joseph, 59 Church St., Kings Park, on October 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Axis Church Café, 2884 Route 112, Medford, on October 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join a community block party.

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Alfred Balcerak III

Alfred Balcerak III Allegedly Gained Access to a Homeless Shelter by Falsely Claiming that He Was an Employee for the Department of Social Services

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 4 the indictment of Alfred Balcerak III, 65, of Deer Park, for Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree, Forcible Touching, and other related charges, for allegedly impersonating a housing specialist from the Department of Social Servies and sexually abusing a resident of a homeless shelter.

“The allegations against the defendant are extremely troubling,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Crimes that target the homeless and mentally disabled are particularly heinous, as these victims are often isolated and lack the resources to defend themselves.”

According to the investigation, on September 6, 2024, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Balcerak allegedly told security at a homeless shelter in East Farmingdale that he was from the Department of Social Services and was there to provide information on potential housing services to residents of the shelter. Balcerak provided an expired New York State driver’s license and his insurance card as identification and allegedly signed his name onto a visitor sheet listing himself as an employee from the Department of Social Services.

Once inside the shelter, Balcerak allegedly asked security if there were any males between the ages of 18 to 22 years old who needed housing assistance.

Balcerak was introduced to the disabled victim. Once inside the room, Balcerak allegedly held himself out to be a home health aide, cleaned the room and offered to assist the disabled victim with showering.

Once the showering began, Balcerak allegedly touched the victim while making sexually explicit comments. The disabled victim told Balcerak to stop. When Balcerak left the residence, he allegedly took the disabled victim’s cell phone with him.

On September 13, 2024, Balcerak was located by members of the Suffolk County Police Department at his home in Deer Park and arrested.

On October 3, 2024, Alfred Balcerak III was arraigned on the indictment before, Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis for the following charges contained in the indictment:

  •   Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree, a Class E felony;
  •   Forcible Touching, a Class A misdemeanor;
  •   Petit Larceny, a Class A misdemeanor;
  •   Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor;
  •   Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, a Class B misdemeanor.

Justice Wilutis ordered Balcerak held on $150,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $1,000,000 partially secured bond. Balcerak is due back in court on October 24, 2024. He is being represented by Matthew Tuohy, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kapish Barry of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Maria Acevedo from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Special Victims Section and Detective Alexander Seda from the Suffolk County Police Department’s First Squad Detective Section.

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Do you recognize this woman? 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 a woman who allegedly stole from a Medford store in July.

A woman allegedly stole assorted merchandise from Target, located at 2975 Horseblock Road, at approximately 7:50 p.m. on July 16.

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
Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who allegedly stole from a tip jar in Smithtown last month.

A man allegedly stole cash from a tip jar on the counter at Tropical Smoothie Café, located at 32 East Main St., at approximately 2 p.m. on September 29.

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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PSEG Long Island’s Mobile Electric Safety Unit teaches electric safety to children, adults and first responders.

PSEG Long Island is taking its Mobile Electric Safety Unit on the road during the month of October to help local firefighters educate their communities about fire safety and prevention at their open house events. October is Fire Safety Month and Oct 6-12 is Fire Prevention Week.

PSEG Long Island’s Mobile Electric Safety Unit is a three-quarter-scale model of the electric distribution system on a 40-foot-long, 15,000 pound trailer. It includes high voltage wires, poles and other structures and items that can be found around homes and neighborhoods. Using this tool, instructors from PSEG Long Island simulate scenarios, including a live wire down on a vehicle, an aluminum pool skimmer coming into contact with an overhead wire, a squirrel on the electric line shorting out the circuit, and a wire down on a metal fence. They also demonstrate the lifesaving importance of properly inspecting utility workers’ personal protective equipment. Attendees can see electricity arcing and flaming in these situations and see and hear what happens when a fuse blows out.

Throughout the month of October, PSEG Long Island’s Mobile Electric Safety Unit will be at the following fire houses:

Deer Park Fire Department, 94 Lake Avenue, Deer Park on Saturday, Oct. 5

South Farmingdale Fire Department, 819 Main Street, Farmingdale on Sunday, Oct. 6

Huntington Fire Department, 1 Leverich Place, Huntington on Friday, Oct. 18

Dix Hills Fire Department, 115 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills on Sunday, Oct. 20

Safety is PSEG Long Island’s top priority. Along with the mobile unit, the company offers safety programs for children and adults throughout the year, including Electric Safety Town, Touch-a-Truck and the Safety Sleuth poster program. To learn more about or request any of these programs, visit psegliny.com/inthecommunity. For electric safety and fire prevention tips, visit psegliny.com/safetyandreliability/safetytips.

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Photo from TOB

Town of Brookhaven’s Division of Women’s Services will host its  15th annual Conference, “Enough is Enough There’s no Excuse for Abuse,” at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hall, Farmingville on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with interactive workshops featuring expert speakers and self defense techniques to protect yourself in any situation. Keynote speaker will be Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. The event is free and open to all.

To register, visit https://www.brookhavenny.gov/753/Womens-Conference. or click here. For more information, call . 631-698-2074

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Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Police arrested three people for allegedly selling cannabis during a compliance check at a business in Huntington on Oct. 2.

Following an investigation by Second Precinct Crime Section officers, in conjunction with NYS Office of Cannabis Management Investigators, Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Town of Huntington Fire Marshal and Town of Huntington Building Department, a search warrant was executed at A to Z Smoke Shop & Convenience, located at 581 West Jericho Turnpike, where marijuana, THC marijuana vapes, flavor vape products, an illegal firearm and two stun guns were discovered.

The following people were arrested at the store:

  • Aman Sabharwal, 42, of Deer Park, was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th Degree, one count of Unlawful Possession of Cannabis, and one count of Criminal Nuisance.
  • Akashdeep Singh, 23, of Floral Park, was charged with three counts of Unlawful Sale of Cannabis, and three counts of Sale of Cannabis without a License.
  • Gagan Smith, 36, of Richmond Hill, Unlawful Sale of Cannabis and Sale of Cannabis without a License.All three were issued Desk Appearance Tickets and are scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip at a later date. The Town of Huntington issued multiple violations to the business.

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David Wilson Pleaded Guilty in April

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 2 that David Wilson, 42, of Coram, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty in April to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree. Wilson had been found in possession of a loaded pistol modified to function as a machine gun and several ounces of cocaine.

“A drug dealer with an illegally modified firearm poses a clear threat to public safety,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Anyone who brings dangerous drugs and illegal weapons into our community will be caught and prosecuted. We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to get these illegal substances and firearms off our streets.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, during the early morning hours of March 3, 2023, members of the Suffolk County Police Department executed a search warrant at Wilson’s home in Coram. Wilson was found in possession of eight ounces of cocaine, a loaded pistol modified to function as a machine gun with an extended magazine, packaging materials, a digital scale, and more than $11,000 in cash.1

David Wilson had been previously convicted of several narcotics and weapons related felonies in January 2016, including Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony.

Additionally, in August 2004, Wilson was convicted of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, a Class E felony. In June 2003, Wilson was convicted of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony.

On April 5, 2024, Wilson pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, an A-II felony, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz.

On October 2, 2024, Justice Horowitz sentenced Wilson to 10 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision. He was represented by George Duncan, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Wickers of the Narcotics Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by the Suffolk County Police Department’s Narcotics Section.

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