Arrest Made In Computer Scam That Defrauded A Woman Out Of Thousands Of Dollars

Vikram KumarSuffolk County Police today arrested a man in connection with a computer scam that bilked thousands of dollars from a North Amityville woman.

A 65-year-old woman received an alert on her computer informing her to contact Apple Support. The woman called the number, and she was informed her bank accounts had been hacked and there was a $12,000 charge. To halt the reported withdrawal and fix the purported hack, she agreed to meet a courier at her home and provided a $17,000 payment on April 23.

The victim received a call purportedly from Apple Support on April 26 seeking an additional $10,000. The woman then called police. Financial Crimes Unit detectives responded to the woman’s house and intercepted the second exchange with a courier. The courier, Vikram Kumar, was not the same courier as the one on April 23.

Detectives charged Kumar, 26, of 242-20 Bellerose, Queens, with Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd Degree. He is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.

Detectives believe this is a coordinated scam involving multiple people. Anyone who believes they are a victim of the scam is asked to contact Financial Crimes at 631-852-6821.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Man Arrested After Striking Police Officer With MV

Suffolk County Police have arrested a man after he struck a police officer with his vehicle in Bohemia and exchanged gunfire with police during a pursuit last night.

During a confidential investigation in Bohemia, detectives attempted to arrest Brandon Scanlon. The suspect fled in a minivan striking a police officer and knocking him to the ground. Officers pursued the suspect from Bohemia, through Brentwood to Bay Shore. Exchanges of gunfire occurred during the pursuit.

The minivan crashed into a tree on North Sunrise Highway Service Road, east of Robert Moses Causeway, at approximately 7:20 p.m. Scanlon, sustained a gunshot wound, that occurred while exchanging gunfire with the officers during the pursuit. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Five officers were also transported to the hospital for evaluation.

A ghost gun was recovered from the vehicle.

Scanlon, 33, of Middle Island, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree and Assault 2nd Degree. He will be arraigned at a later date.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Police Looking For Three People Alleged To Have Assaulted Walmart Employee

Wanted for Commack Assault

Release Date: April 1, 2024

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate three people who assaulted an employee at a Commack store.

An employee of Walmart, located at 85 Crooked Hill Road, confronted three people, two women and a man, regarding their handling of merchandise on March 27 at approximately 6:20 p.m. During the encounter, the three people attacked the employee, punching him multiple times. The victim was transported to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore for treatment of minor injuries.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward 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, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

SCPD Investigating Shooting During A Residential Burglary In Sayville

Suffolk County Police Fifth Squad detectives are investigating a residential burglary during which a man was shot in Sayville last night.

Two masked men, one with a handgun, entered through an unlocked side door of the residence located on Greenbrier Lane at approximately 11:40 p.m. A small gathering was taking place inside, and the men stole cell phones, jewelry, and cash from the people in attendance. As the men were exiting through the side door, they encountered a man who was about to enter the house. The burglar with the handgun shot him twice. The men fled the scene.

The gunshot victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. There were no other injuries. Detectives believe the house was targeted. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Fifth Squad at 631-854-8542 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

Woman Charged With DWI After Hitting A Police Vehicle Parked On 25A/Oakside Rd.

Suffolk County Police today arrested a Smithtown woman for driving while intoxicated after a motor vehicle crash involving a police vehicle in Smithtown early this morning.

A Fourth Precinct Police officer was in his police vehicle parked on Route 25 A at Oakside Road when a 2020 Nissan Rogue driven by Katelyn Lynch struck the rear of his police vehicle at approximately 12:30 a.m.

The officer was in his police vehicle waiting for a tow truck to respond following an unrelated crash on Route 25 that also involved a driver who was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated.

The officer was transported to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Lynch, 25, of Smithtown, was arrested for DWI and transported to the hospital where she was treated and released. Lynch will be held overnight at the Fourth Precinct and will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on March 24.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

***Traffic Advisory March 24 Ronkonkoma***

***TRAFFIC ADVISORY***

The Suffolk County Police Department is advising residents of an upcoming road closure for the St.

Patrick’s Day parade in Ronkonkoma on March 24.

Hawkins Avenue will be closed between Ronkonkoma Avenue and Church Street between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes.

Hash Convenience Shop In Kings Park Closed By SCPD And TOS Dept. Of Public Safety

The Smithtown Department of Public Safety Fire Prevention Division, and SCPD 4th Precinct Crime Control officers order Hash Convenience Shop closed and deemed unsafe for a second time.

Smithtown N.Y.  On Monday, March 18th, 2024 members of the Smithtown Department of Public Safety Fire Prevention Division, together with SCPD 4th Precinct Crime Control officers, responded to a complaint that the Hash Convenience Shop, located at 60 Main Street,  Kings Park N.Y.  owned by Taj & Hash Corporation was operating unlawfully. The complaint came just came one week after the business was shut down for unlawful dealing with a child and 30 summonses being issued for multiple violations of the fire code. 

“Ensuring the safety and well-being of our community is paramount. The repeated closure of Hash Convenience Shop underscores our commitment to upholding the building code, and stringent standards of public safety. We commend the collaborative efforts of The Smithtown Department of Public Safety Fire Prevention Division and SCPD 4th Precinct Crime Control officers in swiftly addressing concerns and taking decisive action. Together, we reaffirm our dedication to the community as we respond, investigate and penalize those businesses illegally operating, when the law has been broken, maintaining a secure environment for our residents and visitors alike.” - Supervisor Edward R. Wehrheim 

Last week the Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers along with the Suffolk County Tobacco Enforcement Unit, Town of Smithtown Fire Marshal, and the Town of Islip Fire Marshal conducted an investigation into the sale of nicotine products to minors. The investigation involved the inspection of 32 businesses between Tuesday, March 12th and Wednesday, March 13th, 2024​. Violations were found at seven of these locations, including Hash Convenience Shop. An arrest was made for an illegal transaction with a minor, alongwith 30 summonses issued by the Department of Public Safety and the Building Departme for multiple violations of the fire code, deeming the building unsafe to operate. 

On March 18th, 2024 Fire Marshals and Police confirmed an official complaint, which was issued by members of the community. They found the business was open and operating despite the closure order. Fire marshals issued an additional twelve summonses for multiple violations of the fire code. The building department issued additional summonses for violation of the building code.  The business has been declared unsafe and will remain closed until all infractions have been corrected.

Police Sieze 50 Cartons Of Unstamped Cigarettes, Cannabis Products And Stun Gun At Convenience Store In Coram

Suffolk County Police today arrested a man for possessing and selling unstamped cigarettes at a convenience store in Coram today.

In response to numerous community complaints, Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers along with the Suffolk County Health Department, Town of Brookhaven Building Inspector, Town of Brookhaven Fire Marshal and Town of Brookhaven investigators, conducted an investigation into the sale of flavored e-liquid nicotine and unstamped cigarettes during a compliance check at Sky High Convenience Smoke Shop, located at 16-08 Middle Country Road at approximately 3:30 p.m.

A large quantity of flavored vape products, which were in public view were seized as evidence. Suffolk County Police also seized more than 50 cartons of unstamped cigarettes, a large quantity of cannabis products and a stun gun.

Yousef Qaid Al Sanam, 37, of Brooklyn, was arrested and charged with Possession or Selling Unstamped Cigarettes, a violation of the NYS Tax Law, which is an “A” misdemeanor. He was given a Field Appearance Ticket and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.

The Town of Brookhaven Building Inspector condemned the store due to it being an unlawful structure and the location is closed pending repairs.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Bay Shore Bus Driver Arrested For Sexually Abusing A Child

Suffolk County Police arrested a bus driver for sexually abusing a girl in Bay Shore.

Miguel Enrique DiazMiguel Enrique Diaz, a Suffolk Transportation bus driver for Bay Shore Middle School and Brook Elementary School, is alleged to have sexually abused a girl, who is now 13 years old, multiple times between May 2022 and October 2023. A community therapist reported the abuse to detectives in the Special Victims Section earlier this month.

Following an investigation by Special Victims Section detectives, Diaz, 47, of Bay Shore, was arrested at his home on March 13 at 11:11 p.m. He was charged with one count of Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child 1st Degree and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. He is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip today.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this case, or who believes their child may be a victim of Diaz, to contact the Special Victims Section at 631-852-6531.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Daycare Employee In Brentwood Arrested For Sexually Abusing Child

Reynaldo Estrada, an employee and husband of the owner of Little Lamb ABC Daycare, located at 257 Vanderbilt Ave., is alleged to have sexually abused a 10-year-old girl at the facility in August and September 2020.Suffolk County Police arrested a daycare employee for sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl who was under his care in Brentwood in 2020.

Reynaldo Estrada, an employee and husband of the owner of Little Lamb ABC Daycare, located at 257 Vanderbilt Ave., is alleged to have sexually abused a 10-year-old girl at the facility in August and September 2020. The child, who is now 13 years old, came forward following another incident of abuse by Estrada that took place earlier this month.

Following an investigation by Special Victims Section detectives, Estrada, 62, of Brentwood, was arrested at his home at 3:02 p.m. He was charged with three counts of Sexual Abuse 1st Degree and three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Estrada is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip today.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this case, or who believes their child may be a victim of Estrada, to contact the Special Victims Section at 631-852-6531.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.