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Law Enforcement

Election 2024: Democrats Flip Long Island's 4th Congressional District Blue Election 2024: Democrats Flip Long Island's 4th Congressional District Blue
Election 2024: Democrats Flip Long Island's 4th Congressional District Blue Democrats on Long Island successfully flipped a red seat to blue. In New York’s 4th congressional district race, Democrat Laura Gillen ousted incumbent Republican Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, according to the state Board of Elections.  Gillen was leading D'Esposito by a margin of 49 to 47 percent with all precincts reporting as of Thursday, Nov. 7. The 4th District includes central and southern Nassau County.  In a statement X, Gillen said said she was "humbled and grateful to have the privilege of serving the people of NY04." I am so humbled and grateful to have the p…
Election 2024: Poll Worker Threatens Voter, Tussles With Cops On Long Island, Police Say Election 2024: Poll Worker Threatens Voter, Tussles With Cops On Long Island, Police Say
Election 2024: Poll Worker Threatens Voter, Tussles With Cops On Long Island, Police Say An election poll worker is accused of threatening a voter and fighting with police at a polling place on Long Island. The incident happened in Oceanside, at Oaks School #3 on Fortesque Avenue, shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. Nassau County Police said Mark Sebesta, age 54, of Baldwin, was serving as a poll worker when he got into an argument with a 25-year-old male voter. He is accused of threatening the man. When police arrived and attempted to diffuse the situation, Sebesta falsely claimed to be a law enforcement officer, police said. He reportedly became aggressive and struggled wi…
Update: Trooper Under Criminal Investigation Amid Doubts Over Long Island Shooting Update: Trooper Under Criminal Investigation Amid Doubts Over Long Island Shooting
Update: Trooper Under Criminal Investigation Amid Doubts Over Long Island Shooting A New York State Police trooper who claimed someone shot him on a roadway in the region is now under criminal investigation amid growing doubts over his story. On Long Island, state police “have reason to believe that the incident did not occur the way it was reported” by trooper Thomas Mascia, an agency spokesperson told reporters Wednesday morning, Nov. 6. Police confirmed that the five-year department veteran is now the subject of both a criminal investigation and an internal probe being conducted by state police and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. Earlier Report: T…
Halloween-Masked Stabber Sought After Random Attack On Central Islip Victim Halloween-Masked Stabber Sought After Random Attack On Central Islip Victim
Halloween-Masked Stabber Sought After Random Attack On Central Islip Victim A suspect is on the loose after a random, Halloween day stabbing attack on Long Island. The incident happened in Central Islip, outside a business on Brightside Avenue near Islip Avenue, shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. Suffolk County Police said a man was sitting in the driver’s seat while parked in a lot outside the Hands Across Long Island mental health services building when a man opened his door and stabbed him with a knife. The suspect, who was wearing a Halloween mask, then fled the scene. The victim was taken to a hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. No…
Trooper Suspended, Stripped Of Gun After 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of LI Shooting Trooper Suspended, Stripped Of Gun After 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of LI Shooting
Trooper Suspended, Stripped Of Gun After 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of LI Shooting A New York State Police trooper who claimed he was shot on a roadway in the region has been sidelined amid doubts about his story. On Long Island, trooper Thomas Mascia, age 27, was suspended without pay and stripped of his agency-issued service weapon, an NYSP spokesperson told Daily Voice. The agency is investigating whether Mascia, of West Hempstead, shot himself in the leg, NBC New York reports. It comes after state police confirmed it was conducting a joint investigation with the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office into what DA Anne Donnelly described as “certain inconsisten…
James Joins AGs Nationwide Wide Calling For Peaceful Election James Joins AGs Nationwide Wide Calling For Peaceful Election
James Joins AGs Nationwide Wide Calling For Peaceful Election New York Attorney General Letitia James and a bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general are calling for a peaceful election and transfer of power and condemning any potential political violence: “Regardless of the 2024 election outcome, we condemn any and all acts of violence related to its results," the coalition said. The coalition added: "A peaceful transfer of power is the highest testament to the rule of law, a tradition that stands at the heart of our nation’s stability. As Attorneys General, we affirm our commitment to protect our communities and uphold the democratic principles w…
Trooper's 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of LI Shooting Under Investigation By State Police, DA Trooper's 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of LI Shooting Under Investigation By State Police, DA
Trooper's 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of LI Shooting Under Investigation By State Police, DA A New York State Police trooper who suffered a gunshot wound on a roadway in the region may not have been entirely truthful about what happened. On Long Island, state police and the Nassau County District Attorney’s office are investigating “certain inconsistencies” in Trooper Thomas Mascia’s reporting of the alleged incident, a spokesperson for DA Anne Donnelly told Daily Voice. On Monday, Nov. 4, State Police executed a search warrant at Mascia’s home in West Hempstead. The agency also canceled the BOLO (be on the lookout) for the suspect vehicle. Earlier Report: Trooper Shot In W…
Trooper Suffers Serious Injuries After Being Struck By Pickup Truck On NY Thruway Trooper Suffers Serious Injuries After Being Struck By Pickup Truck On NY Thruway
Trooper Suffers Serious Injuries After Being Struck By Pickup Truck On NY Thruway Police are investigating a midday crash on a stretch of the New York Thruway that left a trooper severely injured. It happened around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 on I-87 in Albany County just before the Exit 6-7 off-ramp in Colonie. The investigation has determined that the trooper had stopped a vehicle, and due to a vehicle and traffic Law violation, the vehicle was being towed, New York State Police said. While loading a vehicle onto the tow truck, both the trooper and tow truck driver were outside their vehicles when they were struck by a passing pickup truck.  The trooper su…
Trooper Shot On LI Released From Hospital As Reward For Suspect Info Grows Trooper Shot On LI Released From Hospital As Reward For Suspect Info Grows
Trooper Shot On LI Released From Hospital As Reward For Suspect Info Grows A New York State Police trooper who was shot and injured while trying to help a highway motorist is back home with his family. Thomas Mascia, age 27, was released from Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow on Friday morning, Nov. 1. Law enforcement officers from across Nassau and Suffolk counties gathered outside the hospital for a “walk-out” ceremony honoring the injured trooper. Earlier Report: 'All-Out' Manhunt Underway After Trooper Shot In West Hempstead; Cash Reward Being Offered “I’m feeling good,” he told the crowd. “I’m going home.” The jubilant scene came two d…
'All-Out' Manhunt Underway After Trooper Shot On Southern State Parkway; $5,000 Reward Offered 'All-Out' Manhunt Underway After Trooper Shot On Southern State Parkway; $5,000 Reward Offered
'All-Out' Manhunt Underway After Trooper Shot On Southern State Parkway; $5,000 Reward Offered Authorities said an “all-out” manhunt was underway after a New York State Police trooper was shot on a Long Island highway. The incident happened on the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead, in the westbound lanes near exit 17, at around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30. New York State Police said a trooper patrolling the highway pulled up behind what he thought was a disabled vehicle and took down the license plate number. Earlier Report: NYSP Trooper Shot On Southern State Parkway In West Hempstead; Suspect On Run He then exited his patrol car and was walking toward the vehicl…
Sag Harbor Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say Sag Harbor Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say
Sag Harbor Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say A months-long investigation has led to the arrest of a man who authorities say impersonated a federal agent and used fear and intimidation to convince a Long Island victim to hand over money. On Friday, Oct. 25, the suspect, Om Parkash, age 31, of Queens, was charged with second-degree grand larceny (a Class C felony). In late July of 2023, Parkash contacted the victim in Sag Harbor stating she was involved in a fraud scheme involving large amounts of money, according to New York State Police.  From there, Parkash advised the victim she would have to give money to “federal a…
New Poll Reveals Long Islanders' Preference In Closely Watched Congressional Races New Poll Reveals Long Islanders' Preference In Closely Watched Congressional Races
New Poll Reveals Long Islanders' Preference In Closely Watched Congressional Races Fresh polling appears to show a political divide between two closely watched congressional races on Long Island. Democrat Laura Gillen leads incumbent Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito by 12 percentage points, 53 to 41 percent, among likely voters in New York’s 4th District, according to a Siena College/Newsday poll released Tuesday, Oct. 22 D’Esposito has represented the 4th District, which includes central and southern Nassau County, since 2023. The race was considered a tossup by The Cook Political Report. Earlier Report: Competitive Long Island, Hudson Valley Races Seen As Key …
2 Women Charged, 1 For Prostitution, After Raid At Huntington Station Spa 2 Women Charged, 1 For Prostitution, After Raid At Huntington Station Spa
2 Women Charged, 1 For Prostitution, After Raid At Huntington Station Spa Two women are facing charges, one for prostitution, after a raid at a Long Island spa. In response to numerous community complaints, authorities conducted an investigation into Twinkling Spa Inc. in Huntington Station, located at 1783 New York Ave., at approximately 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24. Minhua Guo, age 32, of East Setauket, was charged with: Two counts of unauthorized practice of a profession, a felony,  One count of prostitution, a misdemeanor. Xin Rong Lin, age 61, of Flushing, was charged with: Unauthorized practice of a profession, a felony,  Criminal…
Shooting Outside Shirley Home Of Former Gubernatorial Candidate Zeldin Nets Gunman 12 Years Shooting Outside Shirley Home Of Former Gubernatorial Candidate Zeldin Nets Gunman 12 Years
Shooting Outside Shirley Home Of Former Gubernatorial Candidate Zeldin Nets Gunman 12 Years The gunman in a broad daylight shooting that injured two teenagers outside the New York home of former Rep. Lee Zeldin will spend more than a decade behind bars. Long Island resident Noah Green, age 20, of Shirley, was sentenced to 12 years in prison plus five years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to attempted murder and related charges. Prosecutors said Green was riding in a stolen SUV with another individual when they spotted three rival gang members walking along Saint George Drive West in Shirley at around 2:20 p.m. on Oct. 9, 2022. Earlier Report: Gunman Admit…
20-Year-Old Injures Woman In Street Takeover In Patchogue, Police Say 20-Year-Old Injures Woman In Street Takeover In Patchogue, Police Say
20-Year-Old Injures Woman In Street Takeover In Patchogue, Police Say A week after a woman was injured in a so-called street takeover on Long Island, police arrested a suspect. The incident happened in Patchogue, at the Gateway Plaza on Sunrise Highway, at around 1:15 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6. Suffolk County Police said a 19-year-old Holbrook woman was watching a care takeover when she was struck by an Infiniti sedan. She was taken by private vehicle to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore with serious injuries. Earlier Report: Dangerous 'Street Takeovers' Target Of Proposed Legislation Backed By Suffolk County Lawmaker On Tuesday morning, Oct. 1…
29-Year-Old Woman Found Dead At Long Island Home 29-Year-Old Woman Found Dead At Long Island Home
29-Year-Old Woman Found Dead At Long Island Home An investigation is underway after a woman was found dead at a Long Island home. Check here for a new, updated story: Murder Suspect Nabbed, ID Released Of 29-Year-Old Woman Found Dead At Hempstead Home Officers responded to a 911 call for an aided person in Hempstead at a Botsford Street residence on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 8:40 p.m. in Hempstead. Upon arrival, officers located a 29-year-old woman in the basement of the home with multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity has not yet been released. The investigation is ongoing. Detectives reques…
Would-Be Victim Foils Attempted Phone Scammer On Long Island, Police Say Would-Be Victim Foils Attempted Phone Scammer On Long Island, Police Say
Would-Be Victim Foils Attempted Phone Scammer On Long Island, Police Say A quick-thinking Long Islander avoided falling victim to an alleged phone scammer. The 73-year-old Inwood woman contacted Nassau County Police on Wednesday morning, Oct, 2, saying a man had called her claiming to work for her bank’s fraud department. During the call, he told the woman there were fraudulent charges on her bank card and they would arrange for someone to pick up the card from her home. Fortunately, the woman realized she was being scammed and contacted detectives. Eight hours later, police located the suspect, 28-year-old Darren Saunders, of Brooklyn, and arrested him witho…
Gunman With Zip Ties Forces Way Into Commack Home, Assaults Resident Gunman With Zip Ties Forces Way Into Commack Home, Assaults Resident
Gunman With Zip Ties Forces Way Into Commack Home, Assaults Resident Police are asking for help in identifying a man who forced his way into a Long Island home and assaulted a resident. The incident happened in Commack, at a residence on Daisy Lane, at around 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13. Surveillance video shared by Suffolk County Police shows a man wearing a surgical mask carrying a postal envelope and zip ties approach the home and ring the doorbell. When a resident opened the door, the man pulled a gun and forced his way inside. At some point during the ordeal, a resident of the home was struck in the head. A short time later, the suspect fled the scene …
Cop Impersonator Pulls Shield, Phony ID During Southampton Traffic Stop, Police Say Cop Impersonator Pulls Shield, Phony ID During Southampton Traffic Stop, Police Say
Cop Impersonator Pulls Shield, Phony ID During Southampton Traffic Stop, Police Say A routine traffic stop led to a Long Island man in handcuffs, accused of impersonating a police officer. Southampton Town Police stopped a driver for alleged vehicle and traffic law violations on County Road 39 in Southampton on Thursday, Sept. 26. When the officer asked the man for his ID, he presented a police shield and claimed to work for the Suffolk County Police Department. He then presented a police identification card. An investigation revealed that the driver, 56-year-old Brian Garcia, of Mastic Beach, was not employed by the agency and the ID card was a fake, police said. Garci…
Church Burglar At Large After Stealing Cash From Donation Box On Long Island Church Burglar At Large After Stealing Cash From Donation Box On Long Island
Church Burglar At Large After Stealing Cash From Donation Box On Long Island If you recognize this sticky-fingered bandit, police want to hear from you. Nassau County Police said a man broke into Franklin Square’s St. Catherine of Sienna Church, located on Holzheimer Street, shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17. After forcing open a locked basement door, the man pried his way into a donation box and stole an undisclosed amount of money. Police described the suspect as a Black man, approximately 5-foot-10 with a thin build. He was wearing a white hat with a blue brim, brown sweater, black pants, and a black face mask. Anyone with information is asked to contac…
Shooter On Run After Firing Multiple Shots Into Occupied Mastic Beach Home Shooter On Run After Firing Multiple Shots Into Occupied Mastic Beach Home
Shooter On Run After Firing Multiple Shots Into Occupied Mastic Beach Home The search is on for a gunman who fired multiple shots into an occupied home on Long Island. Suffolk County Police were called about shots fired at a Mastic Beach residence on Alder Drive near Queen Road at around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19. An investigation found that someone fired six shots toward the property, with two bullets striking the home. Nobody inside was injured. The suspect then fled on foot heading eastbound on Queen Road. No description of the culprit was given. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Suffolk County Police Department at 631-852-8752 or Crime Stopp…
New Update: Missing Smithtown Teen Found New Update: Missing Smithtown Teen Found
New Update: Missing Smithtown Teen Found New update: A Long Island girl who went missing has been located. Vianna Dettling had reported missing by a family member after she was last seen getting into a white sedan in front of her home in Smithtown at approximately 3:10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19. On Friday, Sept. 20, Suffolk County Police reported that she "has been located and is unharmed." Earlier report: A Long Island teen has gone missing and authorities are asking the public's help in locatng her. Vianna Dettling was reported missing by a family member after she was last seen getting into a white sedan in front of her …
Suspicious White Powder Sent To Election Offices Across Country — Including NY Suspicious White Powder Sent To Election Offices Across Country — Including NY
Suspicious White Powder Sent To Election Offices Across Country — Including NY A package with a suspicious white substance was intercepted at a United States Post Office in Connecticut earlier this week and could be part of a much larger scheme to disrupt or scare election workers ahead of election day, authorities said.  The package was found at a West Hartford post office on Monday, Sept. 16, the Connecticut Secretary of State said in a news release. No one was injured, but the contents were sent to a lab for testing.  Election offices in New York, Tennessee, Wyoming, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, Massachusetts, …
Deer Park Man Impersonating DDS Worker Sexually Abused Resident At LI Facility: Police Deer Park Man Impersonating DDS Worker Sexually Abused Resident At LI Facility: Police
Deer Park Man Impersonating DDS Worker Sexually Abused Resident At LI Facility: Police A man who impersonated a New York Department of Social Services employee has been accused of sexually abusing a resident at a shelter facility on Long Island. Deer Park resident Alfred Balcerak, age 65, pretended to be the DDS employee to gain entry into a shelter facility in East Farmingdale, on Sunday, Sept. 6, according to Suffolk County Police.  Once inside, he made sexual contact with a disabled resident, and also took personal items belonging to the resident, according to police. Following an investigation by Suffolk County PD First Squad and S…
26-Year-Old Fires Multiple Shots Into Occupied Suffolk County Home, DA Says 26-Year-Old Fires Multiple Shots Into Occupied Suffolk County Home, DA Says
26-Year-Old Fires Multiple Shots Into Occupied Suffolk County Home, DA Says A 26-year-old man is accused of firing multiple shots into an occupied home located in an affluent Long Island neighborhood. Lawrence Brown Jr., of Riverhead, was formally charged with criminal possession of a weapon and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Monday, Sept. 9. According to prosecutors, Brown drove from Riverhead to Hampton Bays shortly before midnight on Saturday, July 7. He then fired five shots into the home of someone he’d been fighting with for days, investigators said. The residents were asleep when the shots rang out and told police they initially thought the soun…
Harris, Trump Come Out Swinging In Presidential Debate In Philadelphia Harris, Trump Come Out Swinging In Presidential Debate In Philadelphia
Harris, Trump Come Out Swinging In Presidential Debate In Philadelphia Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump came out swinging at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in their first and possibly only presidential debate before the Tuesday, Nov. 5 election. Harris made the first move by shaking Trump's hand on stage — in their first face-to-face encounter. Political observers noted how Harris "baited" the former president, prompting him to look increasingly angry. But Trump entered the "spin room" less than an hour after the debate, saying, "I think it was the best debate, personally, that I've ever …
3 Women Charged With Prostitution After Undercover Operation On Long Island 3 Women Charged With Prostitution After Undercover Operation On Long Island
3 Women Charged With Prostitution After Undercover Operation On Long Island Three women are facing prostitution charges after an undercover operation at a Long Island business. The investigation was conducted at SPA located in Bellmore at 2556 Merrick Road on Thursday, Sept. 5. It was determined illegal massages and prostitution were being conducted at this location, Nassau County Police said. Narcotics/Vice Squad detectives placed Jholdana Rojas, age 37, of Paterson, New Jersey, Youchun Zhang, age 49, of Bellmore, and Shaoyu Xiong, age 36, of Flushing, Queens, under arrest without incident. Rojas and Zhang were both charged with unauthorized practice of a profe…
Teen Broke Into Woman's Mastic Beach Home, Touched Her While She Slept: Police Teen Broke Into Woman's Mastic Beach Home, Touched Her While She Slept: Police
Teen Broke Into Woman's Mastic Beach Home, Touched Her While She Slept: Police A Long Island woman called police after she said a 19-year-old man broke into her Suffolk County home in the middle of the night and touched her as she slept, authorities said.  The woman spoke to officers on Thursday, Sept. 5, to report the incident that allegedly happened on Monday, Aug. 26, at her Whittier Drive home in Mastic Beach, Suffolk County Police said.  Davion Commodore, 19, of Mastic Beach, was arrested and charged with second-degree burglary in the case, police said.  The woman explained that she woke up around 1 a.m. to Commodore in her bedroom touching h…
Driver Rams, Injures Trooper During Attempted Traffic Stop On Southern State Parkway Driver Rams, Injures Trooper During Attempted Traffic Stop On Southern State Parkway
Driver Rams, Injures Trooper During Attempted Traffic Stop On Southern State Parkway A trooper is recovering after he was rammed by a suspect’s vehicle on the Southern State Parkway. The incident happened in the westbound lanes near Meadowbrook State Parkway in North Merrick at around 10:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1. New York State Police said a trooper was attempting to stop a vehicle that was speeding across multiple lanes when he pulled in front of the suspect’s vehicle as it stopped in traffic near the Eagle Avenue exit. As the trooper was getting out of his car, the suspect deliberately accelerated, striking his door and injuring him, police said. The suspect then fled the…
First In NY: 'Sensory Inclusive' Tools Now Standard Equipment For Rockville Centre PD First In NY: 'Sensory Inclusive' Tools Now Standard Equipment For Rockville Centre PD
First In NY: 'Sensory Inclusive' Tools Now Standard Equipment For Rockville Centre PD A police department on Long Island is the first in New York to become certified sensory inclusive. The Village of Rockville Centre Police Department was certified by KultureCity, a nonprofit organization that typically trains venue staff to accommodate people with sensory needs, like those with autism. Every officer at the department underwent training that focuses on understanding, acceptance, and empathy toward those who have sensory needs “with the goal to enhance future interactions between law enforcement and the community to create the best outcomes,” the village said. In addition to…
7 Charged In Overnight Sobriety Checkpoint In Central Islip 7 Charged In Overnight Sobriety Checkpoint In Central Islip
7 Charged In Overnight Sobriety Checkpoint In Central Islip Seven people are facing charges after an overnight sobriety checkpoint on Long Island. Police officers from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Highway SAFE-T Team (Selective Alcohol Fatality Enforcement Team) conducted the joint operation in the LIRR parking lot in Central Islip located at 870 Suffolk Ave., from 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 until 2:35 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31.  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. …