Tags Posts tagged with "catalytic converter theft"

catalytic converter theft

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

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Oct. 18 that Jose Deleon, 37, of Brooklyn, Oliver Morocho, 21, of Queens, and Albert Espinal, 23, of Queens, were arrested and arraigned for Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, and other related charges, for allegedly stealing catalytic converters from personal vehicles in front of their owners’ homes in Centereach, Wyandanch, Central Islip, Brentwood, Bayshore, and West Babylon. These men allegedly traveled by car from Brooklyn into Suffolk County to commit the crimes.

“Catalytic converter thefts continue to be a nationwide issue, and we remain committed in Suffolk County to working with law enforcement to crack down on these crimes and to prosecuting those responsible to the fullest extent of the law,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I remind those that would seek to steal catalytic converters in Suffolk County, we are vigilant and persistent and will hold you accountable for your actions. I want to thank all our partners in the Suffolk County Police Department, the US Marshals Service, the Nassau County Police Department and the New York City Police Department who collaborated in this investigation.”

“These arrests highlight the importance of law enforcement partnerships, which lead to the apprehension of criminals like these,” said Suffolk County Police Acting Commissioner Robert Waring. “Any one of us can become a victim of crimes of this nature and we will continue to target individuals who steal for financial gain. I commend all the agencies involved and I want to thank the department’s Property/Auto Crime Unit for their work on this case.”

“I commend District Attorney Tierney, and the investigators from Suffolk, Nassau and NYC Police Departments on dismantling this theft ring,” said Vincent F. DeMarco,United States Marshal, Eastern District of NY. “The United States Marshals Service is committed to assisting our state and local partners in apprehending individuals who are accused of committing crimes.”

“This is a clear example of when law enforcement personnel from federal and local agencies combine their efforts and resources to effectively apprehend those criminals who commit crimes in our communities. This combined investigation demonstrates the diligence of the well trained and determined detectives which yielded the arrest of these individuals,” said Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder. “The Nassau County Police Department will remain committed in working with our law enforcement partners keeping these individuals off our streets and both our counties and residents safe. I would like to thank all of the assisting agencies and their investigators on a job well done.”

According to the investigation, during the early morning hours of September 3, 2024, September 25, 2024, and October 2, 2024, Deleon, Morocho and Espinal drove across county lines to allegedly steal catalytic converters from vehicles parked in the driveways of 13 separate homes in Suffolk County. Their alleged actions were captured on the homeowners’ surveillance cameras, which aided law enforcement officers in their identification.

The tasks were allegedly divided amongst them so that Morocho remained in the car as the driver of the getaway vehicle, while Espinal worked to jack up the victim’s cars so that Deleon could crawl underneath with a portable reciprocating saw to cut out the catalytic converters from their undercarriages.

A search warrant was executed at Deleon and Morocho’s residences, which resulted in the seizure of tools, cash, and other evidence of the alleged crimes.

On October 17, 2024, Deleon, was arraigned following his arrest before District Court Judge Evan Zuckerman for:

  •   Two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   Three counts of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, a Class E felony;
  •   Three counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony; and
  •   Three counts of Auto Stripping in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

    Judge Zuckerman ordered Deleon held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $2,500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Deleon is due back in court on October 21, 2024, and he is being represented by Chase Brown, Esq.

    On October 17, 2024, Morocho was arraigned following his arrest before Judge Zuckerman for:

  •   Two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   Eleven counts of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, a Class E felony;
  •   Six counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony;
  •   Twelve counts of Auto Stripping in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and
  •   One count of Petit Larceny, a Class A misdemeanor.

    Judge Zuckerman ordered Morocho held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $2,500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Morocho is due back in court on October 21, 2024 and he is being represented by Joseph Hanshe, Esq.

    On October 17, 2024, Espinal, was arraigned following his arrest before Judge Zuckerman for:

  •   One count of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;
  •   Eleven counts of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree; a Class E felony;
  •   Five counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree; a Class E felony;
  •   Twelve counts of Auto Stripping in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and
  •   One count of Petit Larceny, a Class A misdemeanor.

    Judge Zuckerman ordered Espinal be placed on supervised release with a GPS monitor during the pendency of the case. Espinal is due back in court on October 21, 2024, and he is being represented by Eric Besso, Esq.

    Catalytic converters are a part of a vehicle’s exhaust device and use precious metals in their center to reduce pollutants from a vehicle’s engine.

These precious metals, which include palladium, platinum, and rhodium can be more valuable than gold and thus make catalytic converters a target for theft. Specific makes and models of vehicles are targeted more than others due to the amount of precious metals contained in their catalytic converters. Catalytic converters can be stolen from underneath a vehicle in only a few minutes using a reciprocating saw and typically have no unique identification features, which make them difficult to trace to a lawful owner.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Blythe C. Miller of the Financial Crimes Bureau. The investigation was conducted by Detective Christopher Viar of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Property/Auto Crime Unit with assistance from the US Marshals Regional Fugitive Taskforce, the Nassau County Police Department and the New York City Police Department.

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Stock photo

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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Jason Labbe

Jason Labbe Also Admitted to Stealing a Car from a 7-Eleven Parking Lot

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Jason Labbe, 46, of Medford, was sentenced to three to six years in prison, after pleading guilty to Auto Stripping and other related charges, for stealing a car and several catalytic converters in 2022.

“We will not tolerate quality-of-life crimes like catalytic converter theft in Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I hope this sentence sends the message that we will continue to vigorously prosecute criminals who negatively impact the quality of life in Suffolk County.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on August 22, 2022, Labbe broke into the parking lot of a business in Calverton and removed catalytic converters from three vehicles. On December 5, 2022, Labbe removed a catalytic converter from a work truck parked in front of a home in Shirley. Then, on December 20, 2022, Labbe stole a car that was parked in front of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Medford.

Catalytic converters are a part of a vehicle’s exhaust device and use precious metals to reduce pollutants from a vehicle’s engine. These precious metals make catalytic converters a target for theft.

On December 20, 2023, Labbe pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Steven A. Pilewski, to one count of Auto Stripping in the First Degree, a Class D felony, and two counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Class D felonies.

On February 9, 2024, Justice Pilewski sentenced Labbe to three to six years in prison. He was represented by Christopher Gioe, Esq.

Jason Labbe’s brother, Daniel Labbe, 43, of Medford, had previously pleaded guilty in April 2023 to Auto Stripping in the Second Degree, a Class E felony, for stealing a catalytic converter from a truck in Rocky Point. Daniel Labbe was sentenced to two to four years in prison in May 2023. At the time of that sentence, he was already serving a prison sentence of two to four years for a previous catalytic converter theft in which he was sentenced in January 2023.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Blythe C. Miller of the Financial Crimes Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Michael Carrieri of the Riverhead Town Police Department, and Detectives Adam Friedlander and Stephen Masciopinto of the Suffolk County Police Department.

Jason Labbe

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney  announced on Dec. 20 that Jason Labbe, 46, of Medford, pleaded guilty to Auto Stripping in the First Degree and other related charges, for stealing catalytic converters from several locations and stealing a car from a 7-Eleven parking lot.

“This defendant went on a crime spree, stealing multiple catalytic converters and a car from Suffolk County residents and businesses,” said District Attorney Tierney. “When I became District Attorney, I vowed to prosecute these quality-of-life crimes and keep Suffolk County residents safe, and that is what my office will continue to do. If you steal the property of others, we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on August 22, 2022, Labbe broke into the parking lot of Broken Arrow Industries in Calverton and removed catalytic converters from three vehicles. In a second incident, on December 5, 2022, Labbe removed a catalytic converter from a work truck parked in front of a home in Shirley. Then, on December 20, 2022, Labbe stole a car that was parked in front of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Medford.

Catalytic converters are a part of a vehicle’s exhaust device and use precious metals in their center to reduce pollutants from a vehicle’s engine. These precious metals make catalytic converters a target for theft.

On December 20, 2023, Labbe pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Steven A. Pilewski, to one count of Auto Stripping in the First Degree, a Class D felony, and two counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Class D felonies. Labbe is due back in court on February 9, 2024, and is expected to be sentenced to three to six years in prison. He is being represented by Christopher Gioe, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Blythe C. Miller of the Financial Crimes Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Michael Carrieri of the Riverhead Town Police Department, and Detectives Adam Friedlander and Stephen Masciopinto of the Suffolk County Police Department.

Pixabay photo

The Suffolk County Police Department has observed a recent uptick in stolen vehicles and now urges residents to take precautions.

Detective Richard Marra of SCPD offered a brief history of the crime phenomenon in a phone interview. While vehicle theft cases have been recurrent, the detective noted that the crime is relatively preventable. 

“Ninety percent of the cars that are stolen are probably stolen because [drivers] leave the key fobs in the car,” he said.

Marra said the police department first noticed the trend about three years ago when an organized out-of-state group started targeting luxury models.

“We had a group of guys coming out of New Jersey, mostly from Newark, and they would go to the more affluent neighborhoods,” he said. “They’d come in a van, walk down the street and look for any kind of foreign car.”

Thieves often sought out vehicles with the mirrors folded open. This, Marra said, was an indicator that the vehicle was unlocked. 

If the key fob was left inside, they would easily steal the vehicle. If not, they may rummage through it for hidden valuables.

“Three years ago, it was crazy,” Marra said. “It slowed down a little bit in the last eight months, but we still have a lot of thefts of cars because the key fobs are left in the car.”

The SCPD detective said that the New Jersey bunch often resold their stolen cars on the secondary market. In a highly coordinated manner, they would steal the cars, drive to New Jersey, remove any GPS trackers and then prepare them for international shipment.

“When they had a container ready, they put them on the container, and it was usually going to South Africa,” Marra said.

While the group from New Jersey had targeted luxury models, some vehicle thieves are less interested in the car’s resale value than its utility. 

Marra said some would use the vehicle to temporarily transport drugs or steal catalytic converters, then discard it. While victims of this variety of theft often retrieved their stolen cars, its condition could be irreversibly impaired.

“The ones that are taking just any car — anything that happens to be left with the fob in it — may drive it around for a day or two and then leave it somewhere,” he said. “Sometimes it’s destroyed, sometimes it’s not, but most of the time it’s not in the shape you left it in.”

The spike in vehicle theft follows another auto theft crime that has hit the county, the theft of catalytic converters. [See story, “Catalytic converter theft on the rise in Suffolk County,” TBR News Media website, Feb. 26, 2022.]

Marra indicated that catalytic converter theft has fallen off substantially in recent months due primarily to coordinated arrests conducted with the federal government.

For residents to protect themselves from vehicle theft, he said there is a simple solution — taking their fobs with them as they exit their cars. 

“If people would take their key fobs with them and never leave them in the car, I’d say 90 to 95% of the car thefts would go down,” the detective said. “You just have to keep your keys in your pocket instead of leaving them in the console or the glove compartment.”

He added, “I know it’s nice to just jump in and drive away — but then everybody could jump in and drive away.”

Suffolk County Police Officer John Efstathiou during a general meeting of the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association on Tuesday, Jan. 24. Photo by Raymond Janis

The Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association met at Comsewogue Public Library Tuesday, Jan. 24. The civic discussed public safety, the Lawrence Aviation Superfund site and its executive board transition.

Suffolk County Police Officer John Efstathiou delivered the report on public safety, sharing various crime statistics and trends throughout the area.

While catalytic converter theft has fallen off considerably, Efstathiou said carjackings are surging. “This month, I think we’re somewhere close to 20 in the [6th] Precinct,” he said. “Please lock your vehicles. Take your keys. Don’t leave anything in your vehicles that you don’t want stolen.”

Robberies during exchanges through Facebook Marketplace have also spiked. Efstathiou noted that even one of his colleagues, an off-duty police officer, was robbed after agreeing to meet someone through the e-commerce platform.

“It can happen to anyone,” he said. “Be aware that it’s taking place, and maybe bring somebody with you as well when you’re doing something like that.”

Frank Gawdun, team leader of Chick-fil-A’s nationwide rollout canopy program, presented to the civic association regarding a proposed canopy at the franchise’s location on Nesconset Highway.

Given the high traffic volume at the location, Gawdun suggested that the canopy proposal would address possible safety concerns. “We’re seeing numbers of anywhere from 47 to 54 cars every 15 minutes,” he said. 

The canopy system would enable two Chick-fil-A employees to be posted outside, moving traffic within the drive-thru more efficiently. “All we’re trying to do is let you guys know that we have an eye on this, and we want to do this canopy project as fast as we can and hopefully get it up this summer,” Gawdun said.

After discussion among the members, the civic association passed a resolution to draft a letter stating the civic has no objection to the proposal, subject to further input.

Andrea Malchiodi, assistant director of Comsewogue Public Library, gave a string of updates on upcoming events to be held at the library. Bus trips will be returning in the spring, with a trip planned for the Bronx Botanical Garden in April. The seed library will also reopen sometime in March.

Earlier this month, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) visited the Lawrence Aviation Superfund property, announcing $450,000 in federal funds to help demolish 14 remaining buildings. [See story, “Schumer announces $450K to help demolish buildings at Lawrence Aviation,” The Port Times Record, Jan. 12.]

Charlie McAteer, corresponding secretary of PJSTCA, updated the civic on planning for the Superfund site. Following the demolition of the structures and cleanup of any lingering contamination, plans are in the works for a passive solar farm. 

Another segment of the property would be for a rail yard, helping the Long Island Rail Road with logistics. The remainder of the property would serve as open space.

The meeting concluded with a discussion over a succession plan for the civic’s two highest-ranking officers. In October, Ed Garboski and Sal Pitti, the civic’s respective president and vice president, announced they would vacate their posts by the end of 2023. [See story, “Port Jefferson Station/Terryville civic talks … shake-up at the helm,” The Port Times Record, Oct. 27.]

The body passed a resolution to create a nominating committee to vet prospective candidates for the two positions. 

Under PJSTCA bylaws, the president is empowered to nominate members to a nominating committee of no fewer than three and no greater than five members. 

Garboski agreed to send out an email to all members “so that everyone knows we’re forming a nominating committee,” he said.

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Defendants Charged with Stealing Catalytic Converters in Rocky Point, Holbrook, and Bellport

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Jan. 10 the indictments of Medford residents James O’Brien, Daniel Labbe and Jason Labbe for allegedly stealing catalytic converters from trucks and vans in Rocky Point, Holbrook, and Bellport. O’Brien was also indicted on separate charges of alleged Robbery in the First Degree and Burglary in the Second Degree.

“Catalytic converter thefts have caused significant financial loss and tremendous inconvenience to the residents of Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “These arrests are a significant step in my commitment to reduce the scourge of catalytic converter thefts by holding criminals responsible for their actions. The separate allegations that O’Brien brazenly committed crimes of robbery and burglary indicate a disturbing pattern of criminal behavior, which not be tolerated.”

James O’Brien, 45, was arraigned on January 5, 2023 before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable John B. Collins on an indictment, including charges of Robbery in the First Degree for allegedly robbing a Yaphank gas station on November 2, 2022, while displaying what appeared to be a firearm, and Burglary in the Second Degree for allegedly burglarizing a residence in Yaphank on December 15, 2022. 2 Justice Collins set bail on that indictment in the amount of $50,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $500,000 partially secured bond. O’Brien was also indicted on the following charges after allegedly stealing a catalytic converter from a work van in Bellport on September 5, 2022:

One count of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree;

One count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree;

One count of Auto Stripping in the Third Degree;

and One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree.

O’Brien was arraigned on that indictment before Justice Collins as well. Justice Collins ordered his bail set at $5,000 cash, $50,000 bond, or $50,000 partially secured bond on those charges. O’Brien is represented by Eric Besso, Esq. His next court date is February 15, 2023.

Previously, Daniel Labbe, 43, was indicted on the following charges after allegedly stealing two catalytic converters from a work truck in Rocky Point on October 22, 2022:

One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree;

One count of Auto Stripping in the Second Degree;

One count of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree;

One count of Possession of Burglar Tools;

and One count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree.

Daniel Labbe was arraigned on the indictment on November 10, 2022, before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Timothy P. Mazzei, who remanded him without bail. Daniel Labbe had previously pleaded guilty to Auto Stripping in the Second Degree and Petit Larceny in a separate case and is awaiting sentence. He is represented on the new indictment by Scott Zerner, Esq. His next court date is January 13, 2023.

Additionally, Jason Labbe, 45, was indicted on the following charges after allegedly stealing a catalytic converter from a van outside a doctor’s office in Holbrook on August 24, 2021:

One count of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree;

Two counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree;

One count of Petit Larceny;

and One count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree.

Jason Labbe was arraigned on the indictment on December 8, 2022, after being returned on a warrant. County Court Judge and Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Steven A. Pilewski rejected the prosecutor’s request for bail and, rather, released Jason Labbe to the Supervised Release Program and required that he wear a GPS tracker while the case is pending. Jason Labbe has additional pending cases, including two which involve the alleged theft of catalytic converters. He is represented on this indictment by Danielle Papa, Esq. His next court date is January 17, 2023.

Catalytic converters are a part of a vehicle’s exhaust device and use precious metals in their center to reduce pollutants from a vehicle’s engine. These precious metals, which include palladium, platinum, and rhodium can be more valuable than gold and make catalytic converters a target for theft. They can be stolen from underneath a vehicle in only a few minutes using a reciprocating saw and typically have no unique identification features, which make them difficult to trace to a lawful owner.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Blythe C. Miller of the Financial Crimes Bureau, and James O’Rourke of the Major Crime Bureau.

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

Photo from Town of Brookhaven

On December 7, Councilwoman Jane Bonner visited the Rocky Point Barber Shop to thank owner John Can for his actions that led to the capture of a man who allegedly stole a catalytic converter from a car in his parking lot. After a brief struggle with the suspect, Mr. Can led Suffolk County Police officers to him for the arrest. Councilwoman Bonner presented a proclamation to Mr. Can, acknowledging his courage and quick thinking to help Suffolk County Police officers apprehend the suspect.

Councilwoman Bonner said, “Thanks to John, the police were able to arrest the suspect and hopefully put an end to this crime in the Rocky Point community. John’s action in this case is a perfect example of ‘if you see something, say something.”

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Suffolk County police car. File photo

Suffolk County Police arrested a Medford man on Dec. 5 for allegedly stealing a catalytic converter from a vehicle parked outside of a Shirley residence the same day. Seventh Precinct officers responded to a 911 call reporting a man stealing a catalytic converter from a neighbor’s 1998 Ford truck on Decator Avenue, near Belmont Street, at 11:52 a.m.

The man fled the scene prior to police arrival, but a 2008 minivan matching the suspect’s vehicle description was located a short time later on Moriches Middle Island Road in Shirley. The driver, Jason Labbe, was arrested without incident.

Labbe, 45, was charged with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree, Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree, Possession of Burglar’s Tools, and two counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 5th Degree.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.

Pictured above, the PJSTCA executive board. File photo by Raymond Janis

The Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association gathered at Comsewogue Public Library on Tuesday, Nov. 15, for its monthly general meeting.

Representing the Comsewogue School District, students Kylie and Max delivered a string of reports on various upcoming events within the district. Kylie referred to the high school’s recent annual Trick-or-Treat Street as “a huge success.” 

Max reported parent-teacher conferences would take place on Monday, Nov. 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Community members are welcome to attend Spanish Heritage Night on Dec. 9 from 7-9 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.

Ed Garboski, president of PJSTCA, announced that the area had received a grant for streetlights along Route 112. Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) facilitated the funding, according to the civic’s leadership. 

These funds, combined with money made available to the community through the new Nissan dealership, should cover lights for the entire strip. The body passed a resolution to draft a letter thanking the councilmember and his staff for their efforts to illuminate the corridor.

PJSTCA vice president Sal Pitti announced a recent “huge arrest” related to catalytic converter theft, a crime trend throughout the region. Pitti reported that law enforcement arrested 21 individuals in a multistate initiative, charging 13, two of whom were from Suffolk County.

“This was a Department of Justice operation that was done with multiple agencies across multiple states,” he said. “Mind you, this does not mean it stops. They got a lot of people that we assume are the main people, but they might not be.” He added, “Arrests are being made on it, but we don’t know where it will go from there.”

Garboski discussed spring plans for the community garden near the middle school. “If anyone has ideas, wants to volunteer or help get it moving for the spring, please let us know,” he said.

The members also discussed a 5-acre, 40-unit planned retirement community to be developed on the corner of Terryville and Old Town roads. Civic member Lou Antoniello, who was involved in the 2008 Comsewogue Hamlet Comprehensive Plan, described the historical background behind this local development discussion.

“Back in 2008, the people who owned that [parcel] were the people who owned the shopping center adjacent to it,” he said. “During the hamlet study, they made it known that they wanted to build a shopping center next to the one they already owned.” He added, “The people who lived in that community said they didn’t want it.”

Through a series of compromises made during the time of the hamlet study, the community and the property owners agreed upon zoning that property for a small retirement community. Since then, the Town of Brookhaven has rezoned that land to PRC Residence District.

Civic member Ira Costell suggested the community take a greater interest in that development as the process works through the Brookhaven Planning Board.

“That owner has an as-of-use right to develop that property in that fashion,” he said. “It’s going to be important that we pay attention to the site plan review process at the Planning Board level to decide if we want to influence how that development proceeds.”

Later this month, the civic’s executive team will meet with town officials and Planning Board members. Asking the members how to represent the interests of the community, Pitti offered that it would be wise if he and others pressed the town to limit all new development to residential rather than commercial.

Garboski and Pitti announced during the October meeting they had recently sold their homes, triggering a reshuffling of the civic’s top two posts. [See story, “Port Jefferson Station/Terryville civic … shake-up at the helm.”]

Inquiring about the coming transition process for the civic leadership, Costell proposed beginning those procedures now. 

“Perhaps we can start to talk about a transition group or committee that can join in on some of these conversations and shape where things go in the next several months,” he said. “I think we really need to have a coalition that we can build here so that we can move forward given the changing tenor of the times here.”

Responding, Pitti suggested that he and Garboski intend to finish this year as usual and begin working with possible successors starting in 2023. However, he stated that bringing other members to the upcoming meeting on the Terryville Road PRC development would be unwise.

Costell’s concerns centered less around any one meeting and more around the overall transition process. “I’m trying to indicate that we don’t want to throw somebody into the deep end of the pool next year,” he said. “I’m looking for a principle, an idea, for how we can incorporate some of the people who want to shape this community beyond your time here.”

Finding some common ground, Garboski said members must decide who will fill these top positions given the demands and constraints. “Amongst yourselves, first figure out who wants to take this over,” he said.

Resolving the matter, Costell offered that the organization is working toward a resolution. “You’re making the perfect point that some sort of transition is an ideal circumstance,” he said. “If you’re comfortable with how that’s happening, and the group is as well, that’s fine by me.”

The civic will reconvene Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m