Police & Fire

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

A man allegedly stole an electric toothbrush, valued at $150, from Target, located at 307 Independence Plaza, on July 27 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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Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who was allegedly in possession of a stolen vehicle from a Melville home in July.

A black Honda Accord was stolen from a Court North Drive home during the overnight hours of July 8 into July 9. The vehicle was located in Queens Village on July 26 at approximately 4:00 a.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.

Anthony Santiesteban

Anthony Santiesteban was Convicted in June of the Fatal Shooting of Martina Thompson

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Aug. 1 that Anthony Santiesteban, 32, of Centereach, was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison, after a jury found him guilty in June of Murder in the Second Degree and other related charges, for fatally shooting Martina Thompson, 33, of East Patchogue, in October 2022.

“This defendant deliberately took the life of Martina Thompson, whose children will now have to live without their mother,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Murder does not just end one life, it devastates families, friends, and entire communities. While no punishment can ever truly compensate for the loss of a loved one, this sentence ensures the defendant will face severe consequences for this grievous act and will no longer pose a danger to the public.”

The evidence at trial established that in the early morning hours of October 29, 2022, surveillance video captured Santiesteban and the victim engaging in a conversation next to Santiesteban’s Jeep Cherokee in a parking lot in Coram. Santiesteban was then seen on video following the victim into a fenced area at the rear of the parking lot. Immediately afterwards, at approximately 1:03 a.m., a gunshot is heard on the video recording, and Santiesteban was captured walking out of the fenced area with a semi-automatic handgun in his hand. Santiesteban then entered his Jeep and left the scene.

At 1:25 a.m., the police found the victim with a gunshot wound to her face, lying in a pool of blood. She was transported to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue where she was pronounced dead.

On November 2, 2022, police searched Santiesteban’s bedroom pursuant to a search warrant and recovered a loaded and defaced 9 mm handgun. Ballistics testing confirmed the bullet casing found next to the victim’s body came from the gun found in the bedroom.

On June 24, 2024, Santiesteban was convicted of the following charges after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft Jr.:

  •   One count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony;
  •   Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent

    felonies; and

  •   One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D violent

    felony.

    On August 1, 2024, Justice Senft sentenced Santiesteban to 40 years to life in prison. He was represented by Jonathan Manley, Esq. and Peter Mayer, Esq.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Joseph Mallek of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detectives Luis Cabrera and Thomas Henry of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

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

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, New York State Senator Dean Murray, and Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. have released public safety announcements to remind the public of the dangers of drunk and drugged driving, the importance of staying at the scene of a crash, and the legal and financial ramifications of a criminal arrest.

“We are more than half-way through this year’s ‘100 Deadliest Days of Driving.’ In Suffolk County alone, there have been at least twenty fatalities since Memorial Day weekend, many of which were caused by drunk or drugged drivers. That is almost three lives lost per week, many of which were completely preventable, and despite the prevalence and convenience of ride-shares. These are not crimes that are confined to Long Island. Drunk and drugged drivers threaten the lives of random and innocent roadway users of every age, gender, ethnicity and economic status every single day throughout New York State,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Senator Murray, Sheriff Toulon, and I continue to fight for the safety of all New Yorkers. We urge everyone to remember that any amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is too much when it comes to driving. The legislators up in Albany must pass the ‘Deadly Driving Bill’ to save countless lives and make our roadways safer across New York State.”

“When New York State rushed through legislation to legalize marijuana, it was done so in a way that left many questions unanswered. Who can legally sell it? Who can legally buy it, use it or consume it,” said Senator Murray. “Some of the biggest questions surround the use of marijuana while operating a motor vehicle. There is definitely a need to educate the public and I’m thrilled to team with Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney and Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol Toulon, Jr., to put these PSA’s out to the public to help with that education process. I also want to thank JVC Broadcasting, Inc.’s President & CEO, John Caracciolo, for his willingness to immediately get these PSA’s up and running on his multiple Long Island radio stations. Everyone working together can truly make a difference.”

“Drunk and drugged driving continues to claim innocent lives on our roads,” said Sheriff Toulon. “Partnering with District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney and New York State Senator Dean Murray, we are committed to raising awareness and pushing for legislative changes to make our roadways safer. Remember, one decision to use a ride-share can prevent a tragedy and save lives.”

“All of us at JVC Broadcasting are committed to work with our elected officials to get this important message out,” said JVC Broadcasting, Inc. President and CEO, John Caracciolo. “We were happy to donate the airtime to make it possible.”

In January 2024, District Attorney Tierney rallied with a bipartisan group of local and state officials, district attorneys, traffic safety advocates, and families and friends of those affected by drunk and drugged driving, and called on lawmakers to pass a bill that would close the loopholes in the drugged driving law. Senate Bill S.3135 and Assembly Bill A.174, also known as the “Deadly Driving Bill”, closes the loopholes. Current New York State law does not allow an individual to be arrested and prosecuted for operating a vehicle while drugged, unless the officer can pinpoint the drug that driver is impaired by, and that drug must be listed Section 3306 of the Public Health Law.

All public safety announcements were recorded and can be found on the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office’s website. The PSAs will run on all JVC Broadcasting Stations: WPTY Party 105 FM, WRCN LI News Radio 103.9 FM, WJVC My Country 96.1 FM, WBON La Fiesta 98.5 FM, 96.9 FM, 1490 AM, 1580 AM, Big Hits 98.1 FM and Long Island Envivo 1440 AM and 93.3FM.

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File photo

A taxi driver died after his vehicle was struck by a Long Island Rail Road train on July 30 at approximately 12:45 p.m, according to Metropolitan Transit Authority police. 

Daniel Seagren, 49, of Ronkonkoma, a taxi driver for East End Transportation, was driving northbound on Wading River Road in Manorville with a passenger when he drove around crossing gates in the down position with lights flashing and bells sounding. 

The taxi stopped on the tracks ahead of an approaching eastbound Long Island Rail Road train traveling from Ronkonkoma to Greenport, which struck the vehicle east of Yaphank Station, causing major damage to the vehicle.

Seagren was pronounced deceased at Peconic Bay Medical Center. The taxi’s passenger was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital in serious, but stable condition. About 50 passengers were onboard the train, but there were no reported injuries on board.

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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the pair who allegedly stole merchandise from a Selden store in June.

A woman entered Target, located at 307 Independence Plaza, and allegedly stole merchandise valued at approximately $470 on June 26 at 8:50 a.m. She arrived at the location with a man who waited outside the store. They fled in a white sedan, possibly a 2021 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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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 merchandise from a South Setauket store in July.

A woman allegedly stole approximately $400 worth of merchandise from Target, located at 265 Pond Path, on July 25 at approximately 8 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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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the woman who allegedly fled the scene of a motor vehicle crash in Nesconset in July.

A woman allegedly drove a blue Hyundai four-door sedan across the lawn of a Pierson Street home and struck a 2022 Ford parked in the home’s driveway on July 28 at approximately 7:25 p.m. The driver approached the home’s security camera at the front door and apologized but did not leave her contact information or call the police. The homeowner was not home at the time of the crash.

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.

Police car stock photo

Suffolk County Police arrested two men on July 31 for the shooting death of Michael Hartmann, who was killed outside of his home, located at 605 Smithtown Ave. in Bohemia, on November 2, 2022.

Following an investigation by Homicide Squad detectives, Christopher Fernandez and Oliver Schor were both charged with alleged Murder 2nd Degree.

Fernandez, 28, of Sound Beach, was arrested in Lexington, South Carolina with the assistance of the Lexington County Police Department. He is being held at the Sixth Precinct and will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on July 31.

Schor, 22, of Miller Place, was also arrested in Lexington South Carolina with the assistance of the Lexington County Police Department. He was arrested as a fugitive from justice and will be arraigned in New York on a later date.

Below is the original release:

Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death of a man who was shot to death in his backyard on Nov. 2, 2022.

Michael Hartmann was in the backyard of his home, located at 605 Smithtown Ave., when two people entered his yard and fired multiple shots, striking him once, at approximately 6:35 a.m. Hartmann, 49, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this incident to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852- 6392 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

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Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Just released! Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who allegedly stole from a Commack store in April.

A man allegedly stole items from Target, located at 98 Veterans Memorial Highway on April 4 at approximately 3 p.m. The merchandise was valued at $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.