Update: Police said the missing teenager has been located.

Original post: Riverhead Town police are seeking the public’s help to locate a missing teenager.

Mackenzie Merkle, 15, left her Jean Court residence during the overnight hours of Wednesday, July 10, according to police. No foul play is currently suspected.

Mackenzie is 5-foot-7, approximately 107 pounds with blue eyes and straight blonde hair. Anyone with information is asked to contact Riverhead police at 631-727-4500.

The post Update: Missing teenager located unharmed appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Riverhead Town police arrested Travaun Brumsey, 31, of Riverhead on drug charges last Wednesday evening.

He was stopped while walking on East Main Street toward East Avenue and found to be in possession of 10 wax envelopes containing heroin and two plastic bags containing crack cocaine, according to a police report.

Mr. Brumsey was charged with two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor, and turned over to Southampton Town police due to an active warrant, officials said.

• Sabrina Morales, age and residence unavailable, was arrested for driving drunk on Wading River Manor Road following a motor vehicle accident last Saturday around 11 a.m.

• Police arrested a 54-year-old Riverhead man who allegedly chased his nephew-in-law out of their Riverhead home with a knife Saturday just before 7 p.m.

Jose Carrasquillo, 54, was arrested and charged with second-degree menacing.

• Police responded to a vacant residence on Northville Turnpike last Thursday morning after the property owner reported that someone had broken the rear window and door handle and entered the home.

Nothing was taken from the vacant home, but officers recovered a leather jacket and a hammer and are also investigating 18th Street gang graffiti that was found in the rear of the home.

• Police responded to a domestic incident in Calverton around 4 a.m. last Wednesday.

A man reported that a woman threw a brick through his window. Police located the woman, his 37-year-old girlfriend, nearby bleeding from her hands and legs. She told police she threw the brick to get attention after being involved in a domestic incident with her boyfriend during which he placed a pillow over her face.

She was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment, police said, and no charges were filed.

• A Middle Island man was charged with second-degree burglary, a felony, and second-degree criminal contempt, a misdemeanor, after he was arrested on a warrant by Riverhead police last Tuesday around 10 a.m.

Reports said James Cooper, 30, was processed on those charges, arraigned and taken to the Suffolk County jail.

• A woman called police last Tuesday around noon to report that someone stole a bag of marijuana, a pipe and a beach pass valued at $80 from her Ford Taurus, which was locked and parked at Walmart.

• Police arrested Arthur Coone, 68, of Riverhead last Tuesday afternoon for driving with a suspended license.

He was charged with misdemeanor aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, according to officials.

• After he was arrested on an outstanding bench warrant last Tuesday, police charged Stanley Griffin Jr., 20, of Riverhead, with two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance for possessing a plastic bag with oxycodone pills and an unknown “white rock substance,” reports said.

• A man called police last Tuesday around 4:45 p.m. to report that after getting into a verbal dispute with another man in the Target parking lot over a parking space, he returned to his vehicle after shopping to find it had been keyed.

According to a police report, security footage does show the male suspect returning to the complainant’s vehicle, but no charges have been filed.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

The post Riverhead Blotter: Man found in possession of heroin, crack cocaine appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Riverhead Town police are seeking the public’s help to locate a 75-year-old man who left a Hubbard Avenue home on foot Saturday has not been seen since.

Family members of Frank Rehm Jr. told police Saturday that he had left approximately seven hours earlier and he had not been seen or made any contact with the family since then. He was last seen in the area of Columbus Avenue at 1 p.m. by his employer, police said.

He may possibly be trying to make his way out of state, police said.

Anyone who may have seen him is asked to contact police at 631-727-4500, ext. 312.

Photo caption: Frank Rehm pictured approximately seven years ago.

The post Police searching for 75-year-old man reported missing appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Elmer Pirir, 24, of Flanders was arrested Sunday evening in Aquebogue for reckless driving, reports said.

Around 11:30 p.m., police observed a 1995 Toyota sedan driving southbound in the northbound lane of Cross River Drive, reports said. An officer on duty had to swerve off the roadway and onto the shoulder to avoid a head-on collision with the driver, Mr. Pirir.

Police followed the vehicle southbound and observed Mr. Pirir drive through a red light at the intersection of Main Road and Cross River Drive. Mr. Pirir was pulled over near the intersection, reports said.

He was arrested and charged with reckless driving, a misdemeanor, and three violations: driving without a license, disobeying a one-way sign and disobeying a traffic signal. He was taken into custody, transported to Riverhead police headquarters for processing, issued four summons and released.

• Paul Castelli, 47, of Shirley was arrested Monday evening and charged with grand larceny for an incident that occurred in Riverhead earlier this year, reports said.

Mr. Castelli allegedly stole over $1,000 worth of electrical wiring from Lowes Home Improvement store in Riverhead Jan. 28, police reports said.

Mr. Castelli was arrested, charged with grand larceny, a felony, processed and released. He is expected to appear in court Monday, Aug. 12.

• An East Hampton woman was arrested Friday after stealing from the Riverhead Target, reports said.

Norma Egma-Morales, 40, allegedly changed the price tag on a children’s toy for a value less than advertised. Then, around 4 p.m., Ms. Egma-Morales paid for the mislabeled item originally valued at $87.

She was located by police and placed under arrest for petit larceny, a misdemeanor. She was transported to police headquarters and released on $200 cash bail.

• Police are investigating a report of grand larceny that occurred Friday afternoon at the Loft Outlet at 1770 West Main St. in Riverhead, reports said.

An individual working at the store contacted police around 2:24 p.m. and said that between 12:54 p.m. and 1:04 p.m., an unknown person removed roughly $2,200 in assorted clothing.

An investigation is expected to continue. No suspect has been found, but would be charged with grand larceny, a felony.

• Police are investigating two separate theft incidents that occurred at Splish Splash Water Park in Calverton Saturday, reports said.

Both incidents occurred in succession around 7 p.m. In the first report, an individual stated that while she was on the rides an unknown individual removed her red wallet from inside a backpack that was stored inside a cubby at the park. The wallet contained $100 cash, her driver’s license and an Ecuadorian ID, reports said.

The second report, which reached police seven minutes later, states an unknown individual removed a man’s Bank of America debit card from a backpack that was also inside a storage cubby at the park. The man said the card was used to make two $40 purchases at Roanoke Plaza Liquors on County Road 58 in Riverhead.

It’s unclear if the two incidents are linked.

A suspect has not been found, but would be charged with grand larceny, a felony, and petit larceny, a misdemeanor.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

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Riverhead Town police are investigating a stolen vehicle reported at the parking lot of a West Main Street store.

Police were notified at 6:10 p.m. Thursday that a 2014 Cadillac ATS four-door sedan was removed from the parking lot of NAPA Auto Parts at 1556 W. Main St. The driver of the stolen vehicle fled in an unknown direction, police said.

The Cadillac is black with a license plate of GXF2824.

Riverhead detectives responded to the scene to investigate and police are asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed the incident to contact them at 631-727-4500. All calls will be kept confidential.

The post Cops: Black Cadillac stolen from West Main Street parking lot Thursday appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

A Riverhead man was arrested for robbery last Thursday morning at Community Housing Innovations, an emergency and permanent housing service on West Main Street, according to Riverhead Town police.

Around 5 a.m., a resident of the facility contacted police about a potential robbery. The individual told police an unknown individual had entered his room, punched him in the face and exited with clothing and a silver chain valued at $35, reports said.

Ronald Elige English, 27, was later arrested at the home, according to reports, and charged with second-degree robbery, a felony.

• Josue Subuyuj-Top, 30, of Riverhead was arrested Friday evening in Calverton for DWI with a previous conviction, according to reports.

The arrest occurred around midnight near J & R Steakhouse on Middle Country Road after Mr. Subuyuj-Top allegedly violated four traffic laws, including driving without a license, following another car too closely, driving outside of a single lane and one miscellaneous violation.

He was also charged with one count of DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a felony as his second charge and failure to properly use an interlock device, a misdemeanor.

• Stanley Lawrence, 51, of Greenport was arrested for petit larceny in Riverhead last Thursday evening, according to reports.

Police responded to a report of theft around 3:30 p.m. at TJ Maxx on Route 58. A caller allegedly told police that Mr. Lawrence stole sneakers valued at $378 and escaped on foot toward Roanoke Avenue.

Mr. Lawrence was found with the shoes on Roanoke Avenue south of Route 58. Police then contacted the caller, who later confirmed Mr. Lawrence was the thief.

Mr. Lawrence was arrested for petit larceny, a misdemeanor, and released on an appearance ticket.

• Police are investigating an incident that occurred Sunday morning on East Main Street when a motorcyclist accelerated to avoid police, reports said.

Around 2:30 a.m., an officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop after the driver of a dark-colored motorcycle failed to signal. When police activated emergency lights and sirens, the driver allegedly accelerated down Peconic Avenue and proceeded westbound on County Road 51.

Reports said police gave a description of the driver on police radio but due to the high rate of speed, no pursuit was initiated. A description of the driver was not immediately available.

• New York State police arrested a 31-year-old Riverhead man for driving drunk on Pulaski Street July 14 around 11:45 p.m.

Cornello Martinez-Chavez was found to have a blood alcohol content of .15% and was charged with felony DWI, officials said.

• An Aquebogue man was arrested Friday after state police found him driving on County Road 105 with an alleged blood alcohol content of .19%.

Hugo Villavicencio-Reyes, 46, was charged with aggravated DWI, officials said.

• State police arrested Laura Vecchio, 45, of Mount Sinai for driving drunk in Riverhead Sunday.

Officials said she was stopped on Route 25 at approximately 6:07 a.m. and found to be intoxicated, with a blood alcohol content of .1%.

She was charged with DWI, police said.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

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Two men were arrested following an afternoon robbery Thursday when they allegedly beat up a victim at knifepoint to steal a backpack with a cell phone and other items, according to Riverhead Town police.

Steven Durham, 36, who is homeless and Timothy Hardge, 32, of Riverhead were both charged with felony first degree robbery Thursday, police said.

Both suspects where arraigned Friday and ordered held without bail because both had two prior felony convictions, according to assistant district attorney Rudy Migliore. They both pleaded not guilty.

The specifics of those convictions cannot be released, officials said.

Officials said that a grand jury notice was issued to both men, meaning that both cases are likely to be sent to a grand jury in the coming days.

Police responded to Grangebel Park at about 2:15 p.m. after a call from the victim who stated he had just been robbed at knifepoint. The victim, who is hispanic, was punched in the face and threatened with a folding knife by one suspect while the other  removed his backpack, containing a cell phone and clothing, according to prosecutors. Police located the suspects at the bust stop at the Riverhead County Center. The suspects were identified by the victim and arrested by police.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to call police at 631-727-4500.

Both suspects are due back in Riverhead Town Justice Court Monday.

tgannon@timesreview.com

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An Oakdale woman was arrested in Riverhead early Saturday morning for drunken driving, according to a police report.

Candice Giery, 33, was pulled over near the intersection of Sebastian Drive and Sound Avenue around 2 a.m. after traveling westbound on Sound Avenue with no front license plate, reports said.

Upon further investigation, police found Ms. Giery had slurred speech and difficulty locating her driver’s license, “which was in plain view when she opened her purse,” reports said.

Police then approached the passenger side of the vehicle and found an open bottle of Jose Cuervo tequila stuffed between the passenger seat and the door.

After conducting sobriety tests and confirming that Ms. Giery was intoxicated, she was arrested and charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, due to a prior DWI conviction, and two traffic violations.

• Paul Cascio, 68, was arrested on Sound Avenue in Riverhead Friday afternoon for DWI, police reports said.

A report of a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Roanoke and Sound avenues that occurred around 1:30 p.m. prompted a police investigation, reports said.

Mr. Cascio, of Riverhead, the operator of the 2007 Nissan Altima involved in the accident, was interviewed at the scene and found to be intoxicated and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

He was arrested and charged with a felony for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, improper use of a vehicle interlock device, one count of DWI and one count of aggravated DWI due to a previous conviction.

• Gabriel Villa, 22, of Calverton was arrested on Bayberry Road in Wading River Saturday for drunken driving, police reports said.

An individual reported that a 2017 Ford Mustang crashed into his neighbor’s house on Bayberry Road around 4 p.m. When police responded to the scene, they found the vehicle had crashed into a car parked in the driveway and a closed garage door at the address, reports said.

Further investigation revealed the owner and operator of the vehicle, Mr. Villa, was intoxicated. He was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated DWI.

• Sean Fontana, 49, of Wading River was arrested for obstruction of governmental administration following a single-car crash outside the Riverhead Applebee’s last Wednesday evening, reports said.

Police responded to a report from an Applebee’s employee that a vehicle outside the restaurant had crashed into a tree and possibly the building around 9:20 p.m., reports said. When police arrived at the scene, an unknown woman directed police to a grey Mercury Mountaineer with the N.Y. license plate ILVMYMOM, driven by Mr. Fontana, that was attempting to leave the area.

When police spoke with Mr. Fontana, he was disoriented and stated that he did not crash his vehicle, reports said. Mr. Fontana was then asked to exit the vehicle as police conducted a DWI investigation due to the nature of the incident, reports said.

The officer on duty asked Mr. Fontana to stand by for a moment while he grabbed a breath tube for a sobriety test from his vehicle. At that time, reports said, Mr. Fontana disobeyed police orders and started walking toward his vehicle.

The officer attempted to control Mr. Fontana, which was met with resistance and several kicks to the knee, reports said. He was brought to the ground where he was physically detained and placed into handcuffs, reports said.

Mr. Fontana was arrested, charged with obstructing governmental administration, a misdemeanor, and two counts of harassment, both violations. He was released with an appearance ticket, reports said. He was not charged with DWI.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

The post Riverhead Blotter: Oakdale woman charged with DWI appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

The Riverhead Town Board voted Tuesday to spend $36,000 from a Community Benefit Agreement with a solar energy company to install security cameras and implement technology upgrades at the Riverhead police department.

The cameras will be located on Railroad Avenue and in Grangebel Park, and police will be able to monitor the video feed from headquarters. Cameras are also planned for other downtown locations in the future.

The Community Benefit Agreement is connected to sPower Solar’s “Riverhead I” solar panel project, which stretches south from 4153 Middle Country Road in Calverton to the former Calverton Links golf course property and then crosses to the east side of Edwards Avenue, where it ties in with an existing sPower installation.

Under the agreement, approved in May, sPower will pay the town $1.05 million, of which $300,000 will be allocated to promotion and protection of agriculture and open space; $300,000 will go to an environmental initiative; $300,000 will go to a community health and welfare initiative; and $150,000 will go toward the advancement and promotion of an education and employment initiative.

The town had already allocated $160,379 for the camera project but was short by $36,000.

“It’s a good step forward in making everyone feel safe,” Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith said.

tgannon@timesreview.com

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A Shirley man was arrested at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead Monday for petit larceny, criminal mischief and possession of burglar’s tools, according to Riverhead Town police.

Around 9:30 p.m., Shannon Moore, 47, was allegedly found at the Pulaski Street location with church materials, including books and donation envelopes; burglar’s tools, including a blue and black crowbar, a small knife and latex gloves; and miscellaneous materials, including $15 cash, a flash drive, a state driver’s license and leafy green plant material, reports said.

The incident was allegedly reported by a church priest. Additional information regarding the incident was not immediately available and it is unclear if Mr. Moore entered the church illegally.

Mr. Moore was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors.

• Sarah Wysocki, 36, of Riverhead was arrested early Saturday morning for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, reports said.

Ms. Wysocki was pulled over on Manor Road in Calverton around 2:30 a.m. after she failed to use a turn signal, reports said. She was found driving an unregistered vehicle without a license.

Ms. Wysocki was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and violations for driving without a license and registration, and making an unsafe turn without a signal.

• An employee of The Thirsty Cellar in Wading River was arrested Wednesday afternoon for selling alcohol to a minor, reports said.

Long Tao Lin, 41, of Ridge was allegedly found selling a 750 milliliter bottle of RumChata to a 20-year-old police agent during a state SLA compliance check, reports said. The incident was also caught on tape.

Mr. Tao Lin was arrested and charged with unlawfully dealing with a child, a misdemeanor. He was taken into custody, processed and released with a return ticket.

• Roughly 75 people fled police near Iron Pier Beach last Thursday evening following a town code violation, police reports said.

Around 11 p.m., police received a complaint of a town code violation on the west side of the Iron Pier Beach parking lot. The caller stated that a large group of subjects were smashing glass bottles on the ground.

When police arrived, the group dispersed: Roughly 25 vehicles took off and numerous subjects fled south on foot toward Pier Avenue, reports said. Police were unable to safely stop vehicles to enforce parking regulations due to the size of the group, reports said. Reports said the parking lot was littered with broken glass.

The Riverhead Highway Department was notified to clean the parking lot and responded Friday, making the area safe for traffic, reports said. No further action was taken.

• Police responded to a report of a fire outside the Riverhead Target last Wednesday, police reports said.

At approximately 1:40 p.m., police received a report of a small mulch fire in the Target parking lot on Route 58. The Riverhead Fire Department responded to the call and extinguished the fire.

The store owner was notified of the incident. No further action was taken by police.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

The post Riverhead Blotter: Attempted burglary at church leads to arrest appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Riverhead Town Police held its annual poster contest in conjunction with National Night Out last Tuesday. National Night Out is a community building campaign aimed at bringing neighborhoods and police together. The posters, done by local school children, deal with the topic of safety.

Abigail Donovan won first place in the 5-6-year-old group, followed by Arden Faloon and Ronan Cook.

In the age 7-8 group, the winners, first to third, were Grace Castantine, Naomi Carter and Dominik Mikucki; and in the 9-12-year-old group, the winners were Luke Stepnoski, Anthony Mango and Madison Marshak.

Kelsey Saladino won the teen camp group.

Prizes were a $25 Target gift card for first-place winners, two tickets to the Long Island Aquarium for second place and a gift card to Roadhouse Pizza for third place.

Photo caption: The winners were honored at Tuesday’s Town Board meeting. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

tgannon@timesreview.com

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Riverhead Town police are seeking the public’s help to locate a teenager who has been reported missing from the Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch since June.

Henry Hernandez, 15, is 5-foot-5, 130 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes, police said. No foul play is suspected.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Riverhead police ate 631-727-4500.

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An alcohol compliance check at The Famous Food Festival in Riverhead Sunday resulted in the arrest of a Hicksville man who allegedly sold alcohol to a minor, according to Riverhead Town police.

The Riverhead police COPE unit conducted a New York State Liquor Authority compliance check at the special event located at Tanger Outlets.

Operating at the festival was Fat Boyz Burrito Bar from Bellmore, which was found to not be in compliance, according to a press release. Police arrested Brian Collins, 23, and he was charged with first-degree unlawfully dealing with a child, a misdemeanor. He was released on a desk appearance ticket.

The Famous Food Festival is a traveling organization based in New York City that gives new and established vendors a chance to showcase their work. It had originally been scheduled for the same weekend as the Polish Town Fair. It was then moved a week earlier to avoid a conflict.

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Thomas Zalewski, 30, of Riverhead was arrested Sunday morning for criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to Riverhead Town police.

Around 11 a.m., Mr. Zalewski was allegedly stopped in his 2006 Nissan pickup truck on East Main Street in Riverhead after driving westbound without a seat belt.

After conducting a traffic stop, police found Mr. Zalewski had a revoked driver’s license. He was searched and placed under arrest.

During the search, reports said, police found Mr. Zalewski was carrying an undisclosed amount of crack cocaine.

He was charged with two misdemeanors for criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

• Stanley Battle, 35, of Riverhead was arrested early Sunday morning for criminal possession of a controlled substance, assault and aggravated criminal contempt, according to reports.

Around 3 a.m., police received a call from a female homeowner at Peconic Crossing. The victim allegedly told police when she arrived home that morning, Mr. Battle was waiting for her within her home. The victim told police he began to punch her head and body, eventually hitting her with a frying pan, causing a laceration near her left eye.

Reports said Mr. Battle left the scene prior to police arrival and police found the victim had an order of protection against him. The victim was escorted to Peconic Bay Medical Center to treat her laceration.

Police later located Mr. Battle on East Main Street, where he was arrested.

Mr. Battle was charged with two felonies for assault and aggravated criminal contempt and a misdemeanor for possession of a controlled substance. Police reports did not provide information regarding the controlled substance.

• Samantha Bieniek, 29, of Jamesport was arrested in Jamesport last Thursday evening for driving while intoxicated, according to reports.

Ms. Bieniek was allegedly stopped on Washington Avenue for using a cellphone while driving a 2014 Honda Accord and failing to stop before entering a roadway.

Police found Ms. Bieniek was intoxicated and had a blood alcohol content above .08 percent.

She was charged with one count of DWI, reports said.

• Police are investigating a report of petit larceny that occurred at the Riverhead Home Depot Friday.

Around 2 p.m., a Riverhead man at the store reported that a man wearing a navy bandana removed three Dewalt brand drill sets valued at $600. Reports said he fled the store in a dark-colored Nissan in an unknown direction on Route 58. No video surveillance of the property was available, reports said.

The suspect has not been found but would be charged with petit larceny, a misdemeanor.

• New York State police arrested Isaiah Rodriquez, 20, of Roosevelt and Kaitlynn Gopaul, 19, of Uniondale in Riverhead Aug. 1 around 11:40 a.m. after a traffic stop on the Long Island Expressway, when they were found to be in possession of marijuana and THC distillate.

Both were charged with a marijuana violation and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, officials said.

• State police arrested a Riverhead man for driving drunk on East Main Street Sunday around 10:39 p.m.

Paul Top, 51, was allegedly driving with a BAC of .20 percent and was charged with aggravated DWI, officials said.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

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Update: Police said the teenager who was reported missing has been located and is unharmed.

Original Story: Riverhead Town police have asked the public to help find a 16-year-old girl who was reported missing from Little Flower Children and Family Services in Wading River.

Police said Deanna Callison was last seen at the facility, located at 2450 North Wading River Road, around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

She was discovered missing around 11 p.m. that evening, officials said.

In a news release, she was described as a white, approximately 5-foot-7, 160 pounds, with brown eyes and blonde hair that is shaved on one side.

Ms. Callison has been reported to be suicidal in the past, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Riverhead Police Department at 631-727-4500 ext. 312.

The post Update: Teen reported missing is located appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Riverhead Town police are investigating a shooting overnight that left three people injured at the River Pointe Apartment complex at 821 E. Main St.

Two men entered an apartment and fired multiple rounds around 1:30 a.m. Friday and police said the incident does not appear to be a random act. At least one victim may have been the intended target.

A 15-year-old boy suffered gunshot wounds to the stomach and arm and was transported to Stony Brook University Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. A 46-year-old woman suffered a gunshot wound to the knee. She and the teenager were treated at the scene and transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center by members of the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance. The teenager was then moved to Stony Brook.

A third victim, a 29-year-old man, later arrived at PBMC by private vehicle. He suffered gunshot wounds to both legs, police said.

All the injuries are considered serious, but do not appear to be life threatening, police said. Police received multiple 911 calls of a shooting shortly after the unknown men broke into the apartment.

No suspects have been apprehended. Riverhead Capt. Richard Smith said the suspects were dressed in black. No further description was available.

As of noon Friday, police were in the process of trying to interview the victims, but were still awaiting medical clearance to do so, Capt. Smith said.

Two additional people were in the apartment at the time of the shooting and were unharmed, Capt. Smith said. He declined to say whether those people have been interviewed by police.

It’s unclear what type of weapon was used in the shooting. The investigation is ongoing, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Riverhead police at 631-727-4500.

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John Zabel, 46, of West Babylon was arrested Friday on Middle Country Road for driving while intoxicated, according to Riverhead Town police.

Police responded to a two-car crash around 10 a.m., reports said. Police found the operator of one of the vehicles, carrying three passengers, was driving with a license that was suspended in April for an insurance lapse. That driver was issued two traffic tickets.

The operator of the other vehicle, Mr. Zabel, was found to be intoxicated, with a blood alcohol content above .18 percent.

Mr. Zabel was charged with aggravated DWI, police said.

• Cecil Williams, 33, of Brooklyn was arrested in Riverhead Monday for criminal possession of stolen property, according to reports.

An officer pulled over a blue Nissan Maxima on Fairway Avenue because the vehicle did not have license plates.

The operator, Mr. Williams, was interviewed and police found the vehicle was stolen. Mr. Williams was arrested around 6 p.m. at the intersection of East Main Street and Fairway Avenue and charged with criminal possession of stolen property, a felony, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor.

• Police are investigating a report of petit larceny that occurred earlier this month at the Riverhead Stop & Shop.

A security guard at the supermarket reported last Thursday that on Saturday, Aug. 10, an unknown man removed 10 cases of Heineken beer valued at $180 from the store and left without paying. No vehicle was witnessed leaving the scene.

Reports described the individual as a heavy set, bald, white man. A suspect has not been found but would be charged with misdemeanor petit larceny.

• Police received a report of a potential DWI Sunday morning in Riverhead, according to reports.

At approximately 12:45 a.m., a caller told police a dark blue Nissan Xterra-style vehicle was recklessly driving westbound on Route 58 and reported a possible DWI. Police patrolled the area but were unable to locate the vehicle. No additional action was taken, reports said.

• New York State police arrested a Wading River woman for DWI in Riverhead Sunday around 12:15 a.m.

Lauren Culkin, 34, allegedly had a blood alcohol content of .18%, officials said.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

The post Riverhead Blotter: West Babylon man charged with DWI after crash appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

A Flanders man pleaded guilty earlier this month for his role in a 2018 fatal overdose that resulted in indictments against three men who allegedly supplied heroin cut with fentanyl.

Bryan Hale, 52, pleaded guilty to third-degree attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony carrying a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in jail, according to online court records. He had been facing up to 25 years in jail on the original top charge of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.

He is due in court for sentencing on Oct. 18.

Mr. Hale allegedly allowed John Brophy, 49, of Riverhead to sell drugs out of his auto repair shop on 500 Lincoln Ave. in Riverhead, prosecutors said. Mr. Brophy and LaShawn Lawrence, 35, of Greenport were both charged with second-degree manslaughter.

Riverhead Town Police responded to the scene of a fatal overdose on Sweezey Avenue in Riverhead on Sept. 19, 2018. A preliminary investigation revealed that the victim, a 50-year-old Riverhead man, overdosed on a mixture of heroin and other substances, including fentanyl.

Officials determined that Mr. Brophy, acting in concert with Mr. Hale, had allegedly sold the drugs to the victim, and that further investigation revealed that Mr. Lawrence was allegedly Mr. Brophy’s supplier for the narcotics.

Additional charges Mr. Hale faced were covered in the plea agreement.

The cases against Mr. Brophy and Mr. Lawrence are still pending. They had both been scheduled to appear in court Monday and their cases were adjourned to a later date. The case against Mr. Lawrence is listed as headed to trial, according online court records.

When the indictment it was announced, District Attorney Timothy Sini it was only the third time in Suffolk County history that manslaughter charges were brought against drug dealers in connection with a fatal overdose.

In July, prosecutors announced the indictment of a Flanders man for alleged drug sales, including heroin and fentanyl that led to the overdose death of a 27-year-old East Quogue woman.

tgannon@timesreview.com

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Update (9:20 p.m.): A Riverhead man has been arrested for murdering his wife at their home following a nearly four-hour standoff with police Tuesday, according to Suffolk County police.

Sarah Brown, 71, was found dead from a gunshot wound at 20 Doris Ave. shortly after 2 p.m., police said. Her husband, Robert Brown, 65, allegedly shot her and will be charged with second-degree murder.

Riverhead police responded to the home at approximately 9:20 a.m. after receiving reports of a man carrying a handgun. The Suffolk police Hostage Negotiation Team and Emergency Service Section officers responded to the house where Mr. Brown had barricaded himself.

Police knocked down the door to end the standoff and Mr. Brown was taken into custody, police said.

Mr. Brown was taken to Suffolk County police headquarters in Yaphank where he was charged. He will be held overnight at Riverhead Town police headquarters and will be arraigned Wednesday at Riverhead Town Justice Court, police said.

Suffolk County police at the scene. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

Original Story: A Suffolk County police crime laboratory has arrived on scene at Doris Avenue in Riverhead following a multi-hour standoff Tuesday.

Police were seen escorting a man out of the home in handcuffs shortly after 2:30 p.m. The crime lab arrived on scene about two hours later, at which point officers began putting up crime tape.

Police have not released any information yet and Riverhead police have deferred to Suffolk, who are in charge. The department’s public information office has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Neighbors at the scene said they were evacuated around 10 a.m. by Riverhead police. They said they have since seen the homeowner, Robert Brown, outside the home, but have not seen his wife. One neighbor, who declined to provide her name, described Mr. Brown as a “pillar of the community.”

A Suffolk police Emergency Services vehicle pulled up the scene just before 4 p.m. followed by a large Suffolk County Fire Rescue van a few minutes later.

Two armored vehicles were parked in front of the home during the standoff.

Photo caption: Suffolk County Crime Lab at the scene. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

Officers began putting up crime tape around 4:30 p.m. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

The post Update: Riverhead man charged with murder for killing wife appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

A Riverhead man charged with murder for fatally shooting his wife Tuesday was arraigned in Riverhead Town Justice Court Wednesday morning.

In court, Riverhead Justice Allen Smith said a grand jury notice has been issued, meaning that the case could be moved to county court, which carries steeper penalties. Robert Brown, 65, will be back in Riverhead court Friday if the grand jury has not indicted him by then, the judge said.

Mr. Brown allegedly shot and killed his wife, 71-year-old Sarah Brown, with a pistol, according to Suffolk County police. He is facing second-degree murder.

Mr. Brown appeared for arraignment Wednesday morning in a white prison suit with powder blue slippers, his hands cuffed behind his back. In court, he pleaded not guilty and said he could afford to hire an attorney but did not want one.

Judge Smith recommended he have an attorney, and assigned private attorney Ian Fitzgerald of Central Islip to meet privately with Mr. Brown in a small conference room outside the court.

When they returned, Mr. Fitzgerald said he would represent Mr. Brown, who is not eligible for bail.

Mr. Fitzgerald said afterward that he believes Mr. Brown may be suffering from some type of dementia and asked for a mental and medical evaluation of his client, which the court approved.

Few details emerged from the court appearance as to why the deadly scene unfolded Tuesday morning.

Several of the Mr. Brown’s relatives were at the court, many hugging prior to the arraignment. They declined to comment.

After the arraignment, a dispute broke out outside the Doris Avenue home between friends and family members of the Browns and media members, resulting in additional police being called to the scene.

“You’re here to get a [expletive] story so you can make money off of people’s sorrow,” one woman yelled at media members.

Another woman claimed a cameraman on the scene “touched her.” Photos from a Newsday photographer show a News 12 cameraman Dave Garden being struck by a woman.

(Warning: Video below contains vulgarity)

Crazy scene outside a Riverhead home Wednesday morning where family members of a man charged with fatally shooting his wife allegedly attacked @News12LI photojournalist Dave Garden. I spoke to Dave afterwards and he said he’s OK. : John Roca pic.twitter.com/9LMGIrUrQo

— Nicole Fuller (@nicolefuller) August 28, 2019

Suffolk County Crime Lab officers had blocked off the street in front of the Brown residence and appeared to be removing more weapons from the home Wednesday morning, including rifles.

On Tuesday, police had blocked off most of Doris Avenue for most of the day, while an armored vehicle from the Suffolk County Emergency Services Unit was parked outside the home. Large vehicles from the county Crime Lab and Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services department also were on the scene.

Because it is considered a homicide, the county police took the lead in the investigation.

tgannon@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Investigators outside the Doris Avenue home Wednesday where multiple weapons were brought out. (Credit: Cyndi Zaweski)

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