Police & Fire

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Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD
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 the woman who allegedly stole a purse from a Medford store.

A woman allegedly stole a purse left on a display table by a customer at Target, located at 2975 Horseblock Road, on August 25 at approximately 4:20 p.m. The purse contained $200. She fled in a black SUV.

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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File photo

Suffolk County Police arrested a man on Sept. 1 under Leandra’s Law for allegedly driving while intoxicated in Smithtown with an 11-year-old child in the vehicle.

Terrance Brown was driving a 2003 Nissan Altima westbound on Veterans Memorial Highway with his girlfriend and her 11-year-old son in the vehicle when he went through a red light at the intersection of Old Willets Path and nearly crashed into a marked Suffolk County Police Third Precinct Patrol vehicle traveling southbound at approximately 9:15 p.m.

The officers in the police vehicle pulled the Nissan over and determined Brown was intoxicated. It was also determined that the license plates on the Nissan had previously been reported stolen.

Brown, 45, of Jamaica, Queens was charged with alleged Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child Passenger 15 Years Old or Younger (Leandra’s Law), Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 5th Degree.

File photo

Suffolk County arrested a man on Sept. 1 after he allegedly took pictures of a young girl as she changed her clothes in a dressing room of a Commack store.

William Veitch-Canete was working as an employee at Burlington, located at 108 Veterans Memorial Highway, when he reached his cell phone under a changing room door and took pictures of a 10-year- girl as she changed her clothes at approximately 9:15 p.m.

The girl saw the cell phone and told her parents, who were also in the store. The parents confronted Veitch-Cante, and then called the police. Fourth Precinct Patrol officers arrived at the scene and placed Veitch-Cante in custody.

Fourth Squad detectives charged Veitch-Cante, 27, of Commack, with Unlawful Surveillance 2nd Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. He will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip at a later date.

The investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with additional information or if you believe you are a victim to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

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Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Just released! Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precent Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who allegedly stole merchandise twice from the same East Setauket store in May.

A man allegedly stole garden tools, valued at $610, from Walmart, located at 3990 Nesconset Highway, on May 24 at 5:28 p.m. The man returned to the store at 6:30 p.m. and allegedly stole assorted merchandise valued at $531.

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

Nashawn Legros Allegedly Shot the Victim Twice at Close Range in the Parking Lot

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Aug. 30 that Nashawn Legros, 24, of Wyandanch, was indicted for attempted murder, assault, and other related charges, for allegedly shooting a male twice in the parking lot of Jake’s 58 Casino in Islandia, causing the victim serious physical injuries.

“This defendant’s alleged crimes not only threatened the victim’s life, but also the lives of everyone else in the casino parking lot at the time. That is unacceptable,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office is committed to combatting violent crime in Suffolk County. We will continue to hold those who commit violence accountable for their actions.”

According to the investigation, on May 31, 2024, at approximately 10:16 p.m., Legros was seated in a vehicle parked in the Jake’s 58 Casino parking lot when he observed the victim walking toward the casino entrance. Legros allegedly exited the vehicle, quickly approached the victim, and shot him in the chest and in the stomach. The victim made it inside of the casino before collapsing and received emergency care from casino staff and civilians before being transported to the hospital for emergency surgery. The victim survived the shooting but suffered serious injuries.

Immediately after Legros allegedly shot the victim, he re-entered the vehicle and fled the casino parking lot. Legros then allegedly discarded the vehicle, which he was not authorized to use, in the Central Islip area in the hours following the shooting.

On August 29, 2024, Legros was apprehended in Riverhead with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service and the Suffolk County Police Department’s Narcotics Section.

On August 30, 2024, Legros was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro, for the following charges:

  •   One count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony;
  •   One count of Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies; and
  •   One count of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle in the First Degree, a Class D felony.

    Justice Ambro ordered Legros held on $1,000,000 cash, $2,000,000 bond, or $10,000,000 partially secured bond, during the pendency of the case. Legros is due back in court on September 6, 2024, and he is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Melisa Bliss of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Christopher Alberto of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fourth Squad and members of the United States Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Taskforce.

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

Caciem Kruer and Abdul Muhammad Allegedly Sold Eight Guns to an Undercover Detective

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Aug. 29 that Caciem Kruer, 26, of Farmingville, and Abdul Muhammad, 23, of Bay Shore, were charged in a 39-count indictment following a long-term investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Suffolk County Police Department, into an alleged gun-trafficking operation run by alleged gang members in Suffolk County.

“The trafficking and sale of illegal firearms poses a significant risk to public safety, and has no place in Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I want to thank our investigators in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the detectives in the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney Squad for their tireless efforts to ensure that these alleged illegal guns were kept out of the hands of gang members and those who would use firearms unlawfully.”

According to the investigation, from February 2024 through March 2024, Kruer and Muhammad, who are alleged members the “Hit Squad Brims,” a subset of the nationwide violent street gang known as the Bloods, allegedly acted together to sell weapons to an undercover detective. Over the course of several dates, Kruer and Muhammad allegedly sold the undercover four loaded pistols, one revolver, two assault rifles, several high-capacity magazines, and ammunition. Three of the eight firearms allegedly sold to the undercover by the defendants were purchased in the southern region of the United States and were transported to Suffolk County. The remainder of the guns sold allegedly had their serial numbers defaced, preventing their origin from being traced.

In addition to the use of an undercover detective, several other investigative techniques were used including the execution of search warrants, audio and video recordings, and physical surveillance.

On August 21, 2024, Kruer was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski, for the following charges:

  • Two counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, Class B violent felonies;
  • Seven counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violentfelonies;
  • Fourteen counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, Class D violent felonies;
  • Eleven counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D violentfelonies;
  • Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D felonies;
  • One count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E felony; and
  • One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a Class Amisdemeanor.Justice Pilewski ordered Kruer held on $1,000,000 cash, $2,000,000 bond, or $10,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Kruer is due back in court on September 23, 2024, and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count. He is being represented by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society.

    On August 21, 2024, Muhammad was arraigned on the indictment before Justice Pilewski, for the following charges:

  • Two counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, Class B violent felonies;
  • Seven counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violentfelonies;
  • Thirteen counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, Class D violent felonies;
  • Eleven counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D violentfelonies;
  • Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D felonies; and
  • One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a Class Amisdemeanor.

Justice Pilewski ordered Muhammad held on $1,000,000 cash, $2,000,000 bond, or $10,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Muhammad is due back in court on September 30, 2024, and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count. He is being represented by Glenn Obedin, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Raymond Coscia of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, and the investigation was led by Detective Jennifer Foster of the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney Squad.

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Police car. Stock photo

Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured a pedestrian in Mastic on Aug. 30.

A 2024 Kia was traveling westbound on Montauk Highway when it struck a southbound male pedestrian in the roadway, west of Park Avenue, at 10:26 p.m.

The man, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was airlifted via Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The driver of the Kia, a 45-year-old resident of Mastic, and an adult male passenger in the vehicle were not injured.

The Kia was impounded for a safety check.
Anyone with information on this crash is asked to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.

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Police car stock photo

The Suffolk County Police Department, assisted by the New York State Police, MTA Police and the
Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, arrested seven motorists during an overnight sobriety checkpoint in
Central Islip on Aug. 30.

Police officers from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Highway SAFE-T Team (Selective
Alcohol Fatality Enforcement Team) conducted a joint sobriety checkpoint operation with New York
State Troopers, MTA Police, and Suffolk County Deputy Sheriffs in the LIRR parking lot located at 870
Suffolk Ave., from 11 p.m. until 2:35 a.m.

The checkpoint was part of an ongoing Labor Day weekend enforcement crackdown targeting alcohol and drug impaired driving. A total of 656 vehicles went through the checkpoint.

The following people were charged with allegedly Driving While Intoxicated:

• Roger Bentez-Maldlado, 45, of Central Islip
• Dore Gonzalez, 44, of Brentwood

The following people were charged with allegedly Driving While Intoxicated and Ability Impaired by Drugs:

• Jimmy Moran Ponce, 21, of Central Islip
• Daniel Ramirez Guardado, 22, of Central Islip

The following people were charged with allegedly Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs:

• Jasmine Tamayo-Ochoa, 24, of Shirley
• Brayan Sorto Luna, 23, of Brentwood

The following person was charged with alleged Ability Impaired by Alcohol:
• Astrid Contrieras, 29, of Brentwood

The arrestees will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on August 31.

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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 two people who allegedly stole from a St. James store.

Two women asked an employee at King Kullen, located at 472 Lake Ave., to make change for $300 on August 13 at approximately 4:15 p.m. As the employee was making the change, the women asked the employee to change the denominations and during that time, the women took $160 from the money. The women then asked the employee to return the original $300.

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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File photo

Suffolk County Police arrested a man on Aug. 29 after he allegedly killed his ex-wife and her boyfriend in Saint James.

Fourth Precinct officers responded to a home on Brasswood Road after a 911 caller reported a 15-year-old left the residence with her father, without her mother’s knowledge. Upon arrival, officers located two adults inside the home, dead from gunshot wounds.

Investigators determined Kelly Coppola, 50, and her boyfriend, Kenneth Pohlman, 53, who lived at the residence, were allegedly shot by Coppola’s ex-husband, Daniel Coppola.

Coppola, 50, of Head of the Harbor, was charged with two counts of Murder 2nd Degree.