Long Island Ducks manager and former New York Met Wally Backman has been arrested by Riverhead Town police following a domestic incident Friday morning, according to police.

Mr. Backman, 59, of Deer Park faces a fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree harassment charges, police said.

According to a criminal complaint, Mr. Backman pushed the woman, who was described as his girlfriend, against a wall at her Riverhead house and proceeded to grab and twist her left hand, causing pain and a laceration that required medical attention.

The criminal mischief charge stems from Mr. Backman allegedly preventing the woman from calling police by grabbing her phone, according to the complaint. The incident occurred about 7:42 a.m., police said.

Mr. Backman pleaded not guilty in Riverhead Town Justice Court Friday before Judge Lori Hulse and is represented by attorney Stephen Civardi. An order of protection was issued to keep Mr. Backman away from the victim.

His attorney requested the phone be returned, saying that the woman had been making calls from it.

Mr. Backman is due back in court Sept. 17.

The Ducks issued a statement, posted on the team website, saying: “We are aware of the August 30 alleged incident involving manager Wally Backman. We have spoken with Wally and understand he categorically denies all charges against him. Wally will continue as manager and neither he nor the Long Island Ducks will comment further on this pending legal matter.”

Mr. Backman lost his job with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004, just four days after being introduced as manager. The firing came after allegations of domestic abuse with his wife and for drunken driving in 2001, according to media reports. The New York Times had published a story detailing his financial problems, which the team had said at the time it was unaware of. The team took responsibility for failing to investigate his background.

His managerial career has spanned more than two decades, almost entirely at the minor league level. This was his first season with the Long Island Ducks. He was hired by the Mets for the 2010 season to manager the Class A Brooklyn Cyclones. He climbed the organizational depth chart to manager the  Class AAA affiliate in Las Vegas until that partnership ended in September 2016. Mr. Backman has been quoted as saying he was pushed out of the position.

Mr. Backman played the first nine years of his major league career with the Mets, helping the team win its last World Series title in 1986. He batted .320 that season as a second baseman and played in 124 games.

Mr. Backman is the sixth manager of the Ducks in the team’s 20-year history. The Ducks are an independent team that competes in the Atlantic League.

The Ducks are scheduled to play Somerset Patriots Friday night at home.

Photo caption: Wally Backman, left, outside Riverhead Town Justice Court Friday. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

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The driver of a commercial van lost control on Main Road and struck a utility pole in Jamesport Friday afternoon, causing the vehicle to overturn onto its side.

The accident occurred shortly after 4:30 p.m. and led to a brief road closure between Herricks Lane and Laurel Lane.

The driver of the van refused medical attention, according to Riverhead Town police.

The accident left at least one live wire on the ground, Jamesport Fire Chief Mario Carrera said.

“Most of them broke free from the main lines that are up there,” he said.

No charges were expected, police said.

The overturned van. (Credit: Mahreen Khan)

mkhan@timesreview.com

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A Queens man who attempted to bring a BB gun that resembled a Glock handgun into Splish Splash was arrested Sunday after initially fleeing the scene, according to Riverhead Town police.

A multi-department search for the suspect, including aviation unit, began near the scene shortly after 12:30 p.m. after the man was denied entry by Splish Splash employees and then fled the park, jumping over a fence while fleeing security and crossing Middle Country Road with the weapon in a backpack, police said.

Police said the suspect surrendered around 2 p.m. and he was identified as Shemari McKenzie, 21, of Laurelton. He still had the gun in his backpack and police determined it was an imitation Glock that was actually a BB gun. Mr. McKenzie was charged with a misdemeanor count of obstructing governmental authority, and is currently being held.

Mr. McKenzie had tried entering the park when an employee who was checking his backpack observed what appeared to be a handgun. Mr. McKenzie took the bag and attempted to leave. Splish Splash security contacted 911 and followed him when he fled through the parking lot.

A Riverhead K-9 unit responded along with officers from the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, New York State police and Suffolk aviation.

Splish Splash’s park rules posted on its website note that “weaponry of any kind is strictly prohibited at the park.”

The incident comes a time of heightened anxiety of shootings. Seven people were killed and 22 injured in a shooting in Texas Saturday.

Photo caption: An image of the weapon police recovered. (Credit: Riverhead police)

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A 16-year-old boy was reported missing from the Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch, according to Riverhead Town police.

Police are seeking the public’s help to locate Dennis Perez-Aguilar, who is 5-foot-5 with brown eyes and black hair. He weighs about 130 pounds.

Police said no foul play is suspected.

He was reported missing Aug. 1. He left the ranch on his own accord.

Police believe Dennis may be in the Huntington/Huntington Station area. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 631-727-4500, ext. 312.

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The arraignment of Robert Brown on an indictment for murder and weapons charges has been adjourned twice this week because Mr. Brown is in a local hospital, according to his attorney.

Mr. Brown, 65, of Riverhead is accused of shooting and killing his 71-year-old wife, Sarah, in their Doris Avenue home on Aug. 27.

A Grand Jury indicted him last Thursday on charges of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and he was originally scheduled to be arraigned in State Supreme Court Wednesday, but that was adjourned until Friday. That appearance was adjourned again because Mr. Brown was still in the hospital.

Ian Fitzgerald, Mr. Brown’s court-appointed lawyer, said he did not know why specifically Mr. Brown was hospitalized.

A new arraignment date was not immediately available.

The criminal complaint filed against Mr. Brown by Riverhead police said that “the charges were based in part on the oral admission of (Mr. Brown) where in sum and substance, he stated ‘I shot my wife with a pistol in the beck area.’ ”

Mr. Fitzgerald said he believes his client my be suffering from some sort of dementia, and Riverhead Town Justice Allen Smith ordered him to undergo medical and mental evaluation at his arraignment in that court, prior to the indictment.

On Aug. 27, Mr. Brown was seen walking with a gun by the house, and he then barricaded himself inside for nearly four hours when police arrived, before police were able to knock down his door and take him into custody. 

On the day following the shooting, officers from the Suffolk Crime Lab could be seen removing numerous guns from Mr. Brown’s home and photographing and documenting them.

Photo caption: Mr. Brown led into Riverhead Justice Court Aug. 28. (Credit: John Roca/Newsday)

tgannon@timesreview.com

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Tatiana Mendes-Barboas, 31, was arrested in Riverhead last Wednesday for driving while intoxicated, police reports said.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., Ms. Mendes-Barboas was traveling on West Main Street when she was stopped for a vehicle and traffic violation. Upon further investigation, Ms. Mendes-Barboas was found to be intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of .16%, state police records said. Ms. Mendes-Barboas was arrested by state police and was charged with DWI and was released on an appearance ticket to the town of Riverhead Court.

• James Graney, 29, of Miller Place was arrested in Wading River early Friday morning for aggravated DWI, reports said.

Police responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash on North Wading River Road around 4:30 a.m. When police arrived at the scene, a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer was overturned. The driver, Mr. Graney, was out of the vehicle and appeared unsteady on his feet, reports said. He had an odor of alcohol emanating from his breath which prompted police to conduct a sobriety test. Mr. Graney performed poorly on the test and was found to be intoxicated.

Mr. Graney was arrested for aggravated DWI at 4:49 a.m. and transported to police headquarters, where he was held for morning arraignment.

• Police are investigating a report of fraud that occurred in Riverhead last month.

At approximately 10:13 a.m. Saturday, a Riverhead resident reported that an unknown individual forged a check he mailed at the Calverton or Wading River post office between August 5-7, reports said.

The resident told police the check was not received by the appropriate recipient and when he received a banking statement from HSBC it revealed the same check was altered to the amount of $4,560.00 payable to “Joseph A. Jimenez” and was written August 3. The resident told police he does not know an individual with that name.

Reports said HSBC was notified of the fraudulent incident. Police could not locate where the check was cashed.

• Nicholas Bossey, 21, of Riverhead was arrested last Monday for unlawfully dealing with a child.

According to a press release, town police and a Riverhead Town fire marshall conducted a state Liquor Authority compliance check last Monday at six locations in an effort to ensure employees are in compliance with the sale of alcohol for minors. Upon inspection, Mr. Bossey, an employee of RG/NY on Sound Avenue was found to be violating the code.

He was arrested, charged with unlawfully dealing with a child, a misdemeanor, processed at Riverhead Town Police Headquarters and released on an appearance ticket to appear in Riverhead Town Justice Court on a future date.

The following locations were in compliance: LiV Vodka in Baiting Hollow, Palmer Vineyards in Riverhead, Sherwood House Vineyards and Jason’s Vineyard in Jamesport and Clovis Point Vineyard and Winery in Laurel.

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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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Riverhead Town police are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate two women who used stolen credit cards at a Riverhead store in July.

The two women entered Home Depot on Route 58 at approximately 1 p.m. on July 3 and used stolen credit cards to make more than $4,000 worth of purchases, according to police.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS or texting “SCPD” and a message to “CRIMES” (274637).

All calls and messages will be kept confidential.

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Four new full-time police officers have joined the Riverhead Police Department.

The officers — Peter Anderson, Daniel Clark, Cameron Oswald and Craig Vasey — were appointed a the Sept. 4 Town Board meeting to fill vacancies created by recent retirements, the department announced.

Police Chief David Hegermiller said the recruits started Monday by two officers attending the Suffolk County Police Academy and two assigned directly to field training because they already have state police certification.

“We wish them a safe, healthy and successful career as they start their service to the residents of and the visitors to the Town of Riverhead,” he said.

Photo caption: The new officers, from left, are Cameron Oswald, Craig Vasey, Peter Anderson and Daniel Clark. (Credit: Riverhead police)

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An East End Drug Task Force investigation has resulted in the arrest of a Riverhead couple, police announced in a press release Friday.

Riverhead Town police, along with the East End Drug Task Force and DEA Diversion Unit, conducted an investigation into the theft and sale of prescription medication from the Riverhead CVS Pharmacy and discovered that a former employee had stolen medication to be illegally resold in the community.

According to police, Amber Maltese, 26, stole hydrocodone and oxycodone pills from the pharmacy in May with assistance from her boyfriend, Tijay Clairborne, 28.

Ms. Maltese was arrested July 19 and charged with felony third- and fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and two misdemeanor counts of petit larceny, according to the press release.

Mr. Clairborne was arrested Friday and is facing charges of felony third- and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and two misdemeanor counts of fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, police said.

Both were arraigned on their arrest dates and released on their own recognizance, officials said.

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Three women allegedly used stolen credit cards to make $4,628 worth of purchases at the Riverhead Target and Best Buy in July, according to Riverhead Town police, who are seeking the public’s help to identify the suspects.

The credit cards were reportedly stolen from the Marshalls/Homegoods store on Route 58 in Riverhead a short time prior to the incident.

Police said the women used the stolen credit cards between 4 and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17.

The women are the subjects of additional active investigations in the Riverhead and Suffolk County area, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 631-727-4500, ext. 633.

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Bridget Riley-Marine, 50, of Cutchogue was arrested on Old Country Road in Riverhead early Friday morning for driving while intoxicated, police reports said.

Ms. Riley-Marine was operating a 2016 Chrysler 300 when she was stopped around 2:50 a.m. and found driving under the influence of alcohol. She was also charged with three additional traffic violations for not wearing a seat belt, stopping or standing in a prohibited space, and violating breathalyzer test standards.

She was transported to Riverhead police headquarters, where she was processed and held for arraignment.

• Jessica Marie Borden, 28, of Riverhead was arrested last Thursday for petit larceny at the Riverhead Target, police reports said.

Police responded to a call of larceny at the store on Old Country Road around 6:30 p.m. Upon arrival, the caller said Ms. Borden attempted to remove assorted merchandise valued at $139.98 without paying. The incident was caught on video surveillance and was placed into police property. The caller then signed a civilian arrest form against Ms. Borden. She was arrested and charged with petit larceny, a misdemeanor, and later processed and released on a desk appearance ticket.

• Police are investigating a report of a stolen vehicle that occurred on Middle Road earlier this month, reports said. The vehicle operator, who lives on Middle Road, stated an unregistered 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was removed from his property between Sept. 9 and 11. Reports described the vehicle, valued at $5,000, as a navy single-cab model with a bed and bedcover. The operator was paying off the vehicle to its owner, police reports said.

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

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 report of a stolen motorcycle in Wading River.

A black 2015 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle was stolen sometime between 9:30 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. Monday, according to police. The motorcycle was parked on the side of Wading River Manorville Road, just south of Middle Country Road in Wading River.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 631-727-4500, ext. 332. All calls will be kept confidential.

Information can also be sent in writing to:

Riverhead Police Department
210 Howell Avenue
Riverhead, NY 11901
Attn: Detective Division

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Donald Flannery, 47, of Hampton Bays was arrested Friday evening in Riverhead for driving without a license, police reports said.

Around 10 p.m., Mr. Flannery was driving a 2010 Toyota Tundra on West Main Street when he was stopped outside the Greenview Motel for a vehicle and traffic stop. Upon further investigation police found he was driving without a license.

Mr. Flannery was arrested and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and a violation for driving without a license plate light. He was transported to Riverhead Police Department headquarters for processing and later transported to Southampton Town police on a warrant out of Southampton Town Court.

• Keith Rose, 39, of Coram was arrested for theft last Wednesday outside the Aldi store in Riverhead, police reports said.

The store manager told police that at approximately 5:58 p.m. a white male exited the store with over $100 in food items that had not been paid for, reports said. The manager monitored the suspect, who remained in the parking lot outside the store, until police arrived.

Police approached Mr. Rose, who was in possession of the stolen food items. He was arrested, charged with petit larceny, a misdemeanor, and transported to Riverhead Police Department headquarters, where he was processed and held for arraignment.

• Police are investigating the cause of an assault that occurred on Pulaski Street in Riverhead Saturday afternoon, reports said.

Around 1:21 p.m., a Riverhead man told police he was struck in the face by two unknown men, believed to be age 21, reports said. The victim was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center via Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance for injuries, police reports said.

The two suspects fled in an unknown direction. No property was removed and no cause or reason was known for the incident.

• Police are investigating a reported grand larceny that occurred on Pulaski Street in Riverhead Friday, reports said.

Around 8:13 a.m., a Riverhead man told police an unknown subject removed $3,850 worth of equipment from a locked 2010 GMC van at the location. The suspect allegedly stole two green torch gas tanks, two skill saws, six cordless drills, three battery chargers, a metal cutting tool, five nail guns and a table and chop saw, police reports said. Most of the stolen items were DeWalt brand tools.

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

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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The Suffolk County District Attorney’s East End Drug Task Force, along with the Riverhead Police Department, conducted an investigation into a home at 67 Zion St. in Riverhead, where police had executed two prior search warrants since 2016.

Police say the location is the “epicenter and a safe haven to both sell and use illegal narcotics,” according to a police press release.

On Tuesday afternoon, police executed a search warrant resulting in the recovery of crack cocaine, packaging material and various items of drug paraphernalia.

Police say the following people were present at the site and arrested:

• Venable Booker, 60, was charged with third- and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and first-degree loitering, all misdemeanors.

The following were charged with first-degree loitering:

• Rose Pittman, 41,; Walter James, 45; Gerald Nash, 57; and Robert Young, 55.

Police also charged Maurice Nash, 50, with second-degree obstructing governmental administration, a misdemeanor.

Ms. Booker was held for morning arraignment as well as Mr. Young, who also had an outstanding Riverhead Bench Warrant, police said.

The East End Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional drug enforcement unit funded by the office of Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini. The task force includes detectives, police officers and law enforcement personnel from various state, county and local jurisdictions, according to officials.

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A Holbrook man was arrested on Mastro Court in Calverton last Thursday morning for driving while intoxicated, police reports said.

Shaun Kenny, 18, of Holbrook was stopped around 7:30 a.m. after operating a green 2006 Acura while intoxicated, reports said. Upon further investigation, Mr. Kenny was found to be driving without a license.

He was arrested and charged with DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and two additional traffic violations. He was searched, processed and held for arraignment. Additional information was not immediately available through reports.

• Deron Jones, 29, of Riverhead was arrested last Thursday morning for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, police reports said.

Around midnight, police pulled over a white 2006 Ford Focus on Middle Road near Old Farm Road in Riverhead for having no headlights on. The driver, Mr. Jones, was found to have 18 license suspensions on six dates. The vehicle belonged to a man from Raleigh, N.C., reports said.

Mr. Jones was arrested and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, a misdemeanor, and two violations for driving without a brake light and without headlights on. He was processed at Riverhead police headquarters and is due back in court Nov. 6.

• Police rescued a Southampton man Friday evening after he was trapped in a bathroom at the Speedway gas station on Old Country Road, reports said.

The owner of the Riverhead gas station contacted police around 9:44 p.m. after a 36-year-old male customer was unable to exit the bathroom. The door apparently had a defective deadbolt lock, making it impossible to open, reports said.

When police arrived at the scene, they were able to free the customer by prying the door jam past the deadbolt latch with a Halligan bar.

• An East Northport man was arrested in Riverhead Sunday afternoon for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, police reports said.

Cody Winnegar, 25, was allegedly driving westbound on Old Country Road near the Empire gas station when he was stopped for driving while using a cellphone, reports said. Upon further investigation, police found Mr. Winnegar’s driver’s license had been suspended a total of 20 scoffs on eight different dates.

Mr. Winnegar was arrested at approximately 12:34 p.m. and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, a misdemeanor, and two traffic violations for using his cellphone while driving and operating a vehicle without a viable license. He was transported to Riverhead Police Department headquarters, where he was processed and later released on $100 bail.

• Police are investigating a report of petit larceny that occurred at the Riverhead Walmart Saturday afternoon.

Reports said a Walmart employee contacted police around 2 p.m. after two unknown women exited the store with two full shopping carts of merchandise without paying. The pair left the scene in a gray GMC Envoy in an unknown direction, reports said. The price of the stolen merchandise was not available.

A loss prevention employee reviewed video surveillance but was unable to identify the subjects. He requested the incident be documented.

The suspects have not been found, but were described to police as two females, one wearing black leggings and a black sweatshirt and the other wearing gray leggings and a gray hoodie, reports 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 Riverhead Town residents were arrested last Wednesday evening in Grangebel Park for loitering, police reports said.

Christopher Jennings, 52, and Vanessa Cobb, 55, of Calverton were found in the park on Peconic Avenue with a glass pipe, a bag with marijuana, and two rolled papers containing marijuana. Both were arrested at approximately 5:08 p.m. and charged with loitering, a misdemeanor.

Ms. Cobb was also charged with tampering with physical evidence, a felony, reports said. Mr. Jennings was also charged with criminal possession of marijuana, a felony, and a town code violation for open alcohol.

Both were transported to Riverhead Police Department headquarters for processing. Ms. Cobb was held for arraignment. Mr. Jennings was released after being given an appearance ticket.

• A Sound Beach woman was arrested Sunday evening in Riverhead for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, reports said.

Patricia Rodriguez, 38, was stopped on Griffing Avenue around 6 p.m. for driving a 2007 Suzuki 4DSD with a defective headlight. Upon further investigation, police found Ms. Rodriguez was driving with multiple license suspensions.

She was transported to Riverhead Police Department headquarters where she was charged for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor. She was later released on bail.

• Shanie Woodson, 31, of Riverhead was arrested Sunday on Old Country Road for petit larceny, reports said.

A Walgreens employee contacted police around 11:23 a.m. and stated that a woman removed $476 worth of clothing, cosmetics and other merchandise without paying. She allegedly fled westbound on foot onto Old Country Road.

Once police located Ms. Woodson behind the nearby Laundry Palace, reports said she fled on foot toward Harrison Avenue. Police identified and arrested Ms. Woodson on Harrison Avenue.

Police located the merchandise in the parking lot of Island Tile, reports said.

Reports said the Walgreens employee signed a citizen’s arrest form against Ms. Woodson. She was arrested and charged with petit larceny, a misdemeanor. She was transported to Riverhead Police Department headquarters, where she was processed and held for arraignment.

• Police received a report early last Thursday that the gutters of a home on Northside Road in Riverhead collapsed onto a vehicle after high winds took down power lines in the area.

Around 2 a.m., a Riverhead resident told police that a tree near his home fell due to high winds, which pushed down power lines and a utility pole in front of his home. He stated that when the wires came down, it ripped the main power line off his residence and caused the gutter to collide with his 2017 Kia sedan, which was parked in the driveway.

Reports said PSEG was notified of the incident and responded to repair the power lines. No additional action was taken.

• Police are investigating a report of petit larceny that occurred last Thursday afternoon at Journey’s in Tanger Outlets.

A store employee told police that while she was working alone, two separate groups of people came into the store asking to try on women’s Uggs. While assisting one customer, she said, another woman removed four boxes of Uggs valued at $649.96 and left without paying for them. The woman escaped from the parking lot in an older model, beige-colored SUV in an unknown direction.

The store does not have surveillance cameras, reports said. The case was closed pending further information, reports said.

• Police documented a report of identity theft that occurred Friday on Doctors Path in Riverhead.

Around 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon, a woman told police that $87.56 were removed from her Money Network Visa debit card by T-Mobile. Police notified Money Network Bank of the fraudulent charge. Police were only contacted to document the incident, reports said.

There are no suspects at this time, but if found, the suspect would be charged with identify theft, 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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A Riverhead man caught on surveillance video setting a fire at a church was arrested Saturday, according to Riverhead Town police.

Lee Ragland, 33, was arrested at Riverhead Police Headquarters and charged with third-degree arson, a felony.

Police received a 911 call of a fire at the Luz en tu Senda Church at 941 Roanoke Ave. at 2:22 a.m. Saturday. Officers found a working fire at the rear of the exterior of the building, police said. The fire had reached a point of breaching an upper window and was entering the interior of the church.

Firefighters in the Riverhead Fire Department responded and quickly extinguished the flames, but not before some interior damage occurred. The building was unoccupied and no injuries were reported as firefighters extinguished the flames.

The Riverhead Fire Marshal’s office responded to the scene along with Riverhead detectives to investigate. The Suffolk County Arson Squad also assisted in the investigation as the fire appeared suspicious.

Riverhead detectives determined the fire was started by a man who was captured on surveillance cameras.

Mr. Ragland is scheduled to be arraigned in Riverhead Justice Court Sunday morning.

Mr. Ragland was arrested in 2017 on a burglary charge by Southold police, according to prior reports.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact police at 631-727-4500, ext. 312.

Photo: Lee Ragland mugshot/2017. (Credit: Southold police)

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The Riverhead man accused of setting a fire at a Roanoke Avenue church is not eligible for bail because of two prior felony convictions, Riverhead Town Justice Lori Hulse said at his arraignment Sunday.

Lee Ragland, 33, was caught on surveillance cameras starting a fire at the Luz en tu Senda Church at 941 Roanoke Ave. at about 2:22 a.m. Saturday, according to police.

Mr. Ragland started a fire in a garbage receptacle at the church, which spread to an exterior west side wall and an interior wall, according to court documents.

An affidavit from Dora Cabrera, who is described in court documents as an “owner or possessor” of the church, estimated that $50,000 worth of damage was done to the church.

Police said the fire, located in the back of the church, had reached a point of breaching an upper window and was entering the interior of the church.

Riverhead Fire Department volunteers were able to quickly put out the fire. No one was in the building at the time of the fire.

The Suffolk County Arson Squad, along with the Riverhead Town Detectives, and the town fire marshal were investigating.

The case will be reviewed by a grand jury. Mr. Ragland until be incarcerated until Nov. 1 while the grand jury decides if it will indict him.

Mr. Ragland was convicted of first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle, a felony, in 2017, and was convicted of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, also a felony, in 2007, according to court documents.

He has a pending case in Riverhead Town Justice Court for seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance stemming from a Sept. 28, 2018 arrest.

He also was convicted of a petit larceny charge in 2017, which is a misdemeanor.

Mr. Ragland wore a T-shirt, shorts and sandals in court Sunday having been kept overnight by police following his arrest. He was assigned a court-appointed attorney, Olga Murray, and filed a not guilty plea. He is due back in town court Monday.

Police ask that anyone with additional information may contact the Riverhead Detective Division at 631 727-4500 ext. 312. All calls will remain confidential.

Photo caption: The exterior of the church damaged in an early morning fire Saturday. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

tgannon@timesreview.com

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Riverhead Town police are seeking the public’s help to locate a 15-year-old girl who is reportedly missing.

Gabriela Escobar-Garcia is Hispanic, 5-foot-1, 130 pounds with brown eyes, light complexion and she has short hair that is brown and blonde.

She left a residence on Sound Avenue near Osborn Avenue at approximately 9 p.m. Sunday, police said. No foul play is suspected.

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

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A Riverhead resident was arrested last Thursday for criminal possession of a controlled substance, police reports said.

Kari Reid, 38, was found on East Main Street with a white rock substance resembling crack cocaine and a glass pipe, reports said. Reports stated she was also consuming alcohol in public.

Ms. Reid was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a misdemeanor, and a violation for disobeying open container laws. She was transported to Riverhead Police Department headquarters, where she was processed and released with a ticket.

• Diego Galdamez was arrested last Wednesday evening in Riverhead for harassment and an outstanding arrest warrant, police reports said.

Around 11:50 p.m., Mr. Galdamez, 34, of Riverhead allegedly assisted in punching a man in the face and arm inside his home on Mill Road, reports said. The individual reported swelling and marks to the right side of his face and bruising on his right arm, reports said. Mr. Galdamez was allegedly restrained because he was highly intoxicated and attempting to fight with other residents at the home.

Upon further investigation, police found Mr. Galdamez had an active Riverhead Justice Court bench warrant. He was arrested, charged with harassment, a violation, and processed at Riverhead Police Department headquarters, where he was held for morning arraignment.

• Police investigated three individuals near Railroad Avenue who were suspected to have a weapon on Halloween night, reports said.

Around 4 p.m. last Thursday, an anonymous caller reported that one of the male individuals in the group removed a firearm from his jacket pocket, waved it around, and put it back in his pocket.

When police arrived at the scene, they interviewed and searched the three individuals and did not recover a weapon, reports said. No further action was taken.

• Police responded to a commercial alarm at Long Island National Golf on Northville Turnpike Friday morning, reports said.

An alarm that sounded around 1:13 a.m. indicated multiple zones were unsecure, police reports said.

Upon arrival, police found one set of double doors were unlocked but the premises appeared secure from the inside, reports said. Arrow Security responded to the scene approximately one hour after the alarm sounded. No additional action was taken.

• Police assisted to resolve a dangerous condition on Park Drive near Sound Avenue early Friday morning, reports said.

While on patrol around 12:30 a.m., police reported to a dangerous condition on the road. A large tree, utility pole and wires were down in the roadway. Reports said the officer on duty secured the area until PSEG and the Riverhead Highway Department arrived to remove and correct the condition, reports said. No further action was taken.

• Police responded to a report of an individual illegally hunting on Middle Road in Riverhead Saturday morning, reports said.

Around 11:30 a.m., a caller told police that an unknown individual operating a dark-colored truck exited his vehicle and entered the woods on Middle Road carrying a hunting bow.

Police canvassed the area and were unable to locate the vehicle, police said.

Reports said that the area was a legally posted hunting spot with posted warning signs for bow season. No additional action was taken.

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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