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Alleged Long Island Drug-Dealing Trio Nabbed After Months-Long Investigation
Three accused drug dealers are facing charges after community complaints of street-level narcotics sales led to an investigation on Long Island.
Over the past two months, Riverhead Police say detectives received reports on the alleged activity in Riverhead in the area of Peconic Crossing on West Main Street.
The probe led to the arrest of Wani Turner, age 49, of Mastic Beach, Damion Walker, age 46, of Wading River, and Monwell Wright, age 30, of Riverhead. Turner and Walker are prior felony offenders, police say.
They were each charged with both misdemeanor and felony charg…
21-Year-Old Beats Chihuahua To Death At Long Island Home While Mom's At Work, DA Says
A 21-year-old man is accused of beating a small dog to death inside his Long Island home.
Peter Minichello, of Mastic Beach, was arraigned on aggravated animal cruelty and other charges in Suffolk County Court on Friday, Oct. 6
Prosecutors said Minichello was left alone with his aunt's five-year-old Chihuahua mix while she and his mother went to work on July 6, 2022.
When his aunt returned home, she found the dog, named “Pup-Pup,” inside his crate, not moving, and covered in blood and bruises.
The dog died days later after suffering extensive injuries, including multiple broken ribs, blun…
Phony Real Estate Agent Scams Would-Be Renters Out Of Thousands On Long Island, Police Say
Several would-be renters on Long Island found themselves out thousands of dollars after getting duped by a con artist posing as a real estate agent, police said.
Christian Anderson, age 24, of Shirley, was arrested Thursday, Sept. 7, on multiple charges stemming from the alleged scam, according to Suffolk County Police.
Investigators said Anderson sought out rental properties online and then relisted them on a social media website, claiming that he was the real estate agent.
Between January and March 2023, Anderson arranged to meet with victims in bank parking lots for properties in the Ma…
Prolific Burglar Targets 7 Long Island Businesses, DA Says
A pizzeria, a laundromat, and a nail salon were among the seven businesses targeted in a Long Island man’s alleged burglary spree.
Kenneth Eckhoff, age 70, of Mastic Beach, was indicted on multiple felony counts of burglary in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, July 12.
According to prosecutors, Eckhoff burglarized the following Suffolk County businesses between May and June 2023:
Carpet Depot, located in Lake Grove at 2970 Middle Country Road
Villa Grazie Pizza, located in Centereach at 1665 Middle Country Road
Rainbow Shops, located in Centereach at 257 Middle Country Road
Carpet Depo…
'Execution-Style Murder': Long Island Man Indicted For Killing Victim Outside Bar, Fleeing
A Long Island man, as well as his brother and a friend, have been indicted for their respective roles in the brutal killing of a man outside of a local bar.
Joseph Scalafani, aged 34 of Mastic Beach, is accused of the shooting death of another Mastic Beach resident, 32-year-old Alex Smith, and then fleeing the state, the Suffolk County DA announced Tuesday, July 11.
Scalafani first violated a restraining order to approach his ex-girlfriend on May 13, 2023, demanding she set up a meeting between him and Smith, according to the investigation.
He went so far as to pull out a black handgun a…
Burglary Spree: Long Island Man Accused Of 7 Heists In Past Month
A Long Island man has been charged with burglarizing seven businesses over the past month.
Kenneth Eckoff, age 70, of Mastic Beach, was identified as the man who committed multiple burglaries between Monday, May 22, and Sunday, June 25, said Suffolk County Police.
During each burglary, Eckoff removed the front door glass and stole money from registers, police said.
Eckoff, who was located by detectives on Pine Street in Selden on Tuesday, June 27 burglarized the following locations:
Carpet Depot, located at 2970 Route 25 in Lake Grove, on Monday, May 22.
Villa Grazie Pizz…
Suspect Nabbed After 30-Year-Old Long Island Man Shot, Killed During Confrontation
A suspect has been caught after a fatal shooting on Long Island.
The victim was shot following a confrontation that occurred in Mastic Beach in the parking lot of 373 Neighborhood Road at approximately 2 a.m. Saturday, May 20, Suffolk County Police said.
Alex Smith, age 30, of Mastic, was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Sunday, June 4, Suffolk County Police announced that Joseph Scalafani, who was wanted for Smith's murder, was taken into custody in Florida by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office just before 7 a.m. Sunday.
Scalafani, age 32, of Mastic …
Wanted: Suspect ID'd In Fatal Shooting Of 30-Year-Old Long Island Man
Police are asking for help in locating a man accused of shooting another man to death outside a Long Island business.
The victim, 30-year-old Alex Smith, was found at around 2 a.m. Saturday, May 20, in a parking lot in Mastic Beach, located on Neighborhood Road, according to Suffolk County Police.
Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.
Earlier Report: 30-Year-Old Long Island Man Shot, Killed After Confrontation
On Friday, May 26, police identified the suspect as Joseph Scalafani, age 32, who is known to frequent Mastic, Mastic Beach, and Shirley.
According to investigators, Scalaf…
43-Year-Old Long Island Man Dies After Crashing Into Tree, Pole In Mastic Beach
A man was killed in a single-vehicle crash that happened in broad daylight on a busy Long Island roadway.
He was driving a 2022 Hyundai in Mastic Beach northbound on Mastic Road, just north of Blanco Drive, when it is believed he suffered a medical event and lost control of the vehicle at around 2:20 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, Suffolk County Police said.
The car crossed through the southbound traffic lanes and onto a curb before striking a tree and a utility pole, according to police.
The man, identified as Brian Baker, age 43, of Moriches, was pronounced dead at the scene by…
Long Island Man Nabbed For Robbing Deli, Burglarizing Businesses, Police Say
A Long Island man who allegedly robbed a deli and burglarized two other businesses was caught by police following an investigation.
The incidents took place in Shirley and Mastic Beach on three separate dates in April, Suffolk County Police said.
Blaise Marckesano, age 38, of Shirley, was arrested on Wednesday, April 26 following an investigation into the crimes which began on Saturday, April 1, police said.
Suffolk County Police said on April 1, Marckesano used force and injured an employee of Parkway Deli & Grocery, located at 431 William Floyd Parkway in Shirley, and stole beer…
Four Teens Nabbed For Break-In At Long Island School, Scrawling Graffiti, Police Say
This story has been updated.
Four teenagers were charged following a break-in at a Long Island elementary school.
The Suffolk County Police Department announced the arrests of 19-year-old Salvatore Davis, of Mastic Beach, along with an unnamed 16-year-old boy and 17-year-old boy, who are both residents of Shirley, on Thursday, Nov. 17.
They all were charged by Hate Crimes Unit detectives with third-degree burglary, SCPD said.
SCPD said on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 19-year-old Aydan Dellysse-Fox, of Shirley, was also arrested for the burglary.
The arrests stem from an incident at Hobart S. Elem…
Funding For ShotSpotter Detection System Approved In LI Community After Increase In Shootings
Following a significant increase in shootings, the Suffolk County Legislature has approved funding to restore the ShotSpotter gunfire detection system.
The Legislature approved the funding on Tuesday, Oct. 11, for the technology that was discontinued in 2019, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced.
According to the DA's Office, shooting incidents doubled from 2020 to 2021, after the ShotSpotter program was discontinued.
In 2021, shootings increased by another 34 percent, Tierney said.
The DA's Office said 22 square miles, less than 1 percent of Suffolk County, ex…
Long Island Man Accused Of Attempting To Rob Bank
Police on Long Island captured a man who allegedly attempted to rob a bank but ran off when the teller refused to comply.
Jonathan Buchanan, age 37, of Mastic Beach, was arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 21 for the attempted robbery which took place on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at the M&T Bank in Coram.
Earlier report: Police Searching For Man Who Attempted To Rob Coram Bank
According to Suffolk County Police, Buchanan walked into the bank around 4:50 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20, and handed the teller a note demanding cash.
When the teller refused to comply, Buchanan fled the bank, police said.
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