In a series of high-profile cases across Suffolk County, six individuals have been arrested for an alleged Lowe’s credit card fraud scheme, a Brooklyn man has been indicted for the attempted murder of two BOCES employees, a Shirley man faces charges for a stabbing at Adventureland Amusement Park, and an Islip Terrace man has been sentenced for a brutal assault on a bar bouncer. These incidents highlight the range of serious crimes currently under investigation and prosecution by the Suffolk County Police Department and District Attorney’s Office.
Six Arrested in Alleged Lowe’s Credit Card Fraud Scheme
Six individuals have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a significant identity theft scheme targeting Lowe’s stores in Suffolk County. The suspects—Ananda Gabriel, Aameer Waight, Abilio Sanchez, Anthony Colon, Rashad Provost, and Jonathan Lynce—are accused of grand larceny, identity theft, and other related charges.
Between October 2023 and February 2024, the defendants allegedly used stolen identities to open Lowe’s credit card accounts and make fraudulent purchases of gift cards totaling over $25,000. These purchases were made at Lowe’s locations in Commack, Bay Shore, Farmingdale, Medford, and Stony Brook. Additionally, Ananda Gabriel allegedly rented an apartment in Patchogue using another person’s identity without their consent and has not paid any rent for the apartment.
On August 6, 2024, the defendants were arrested by the Suffolk County Police Department and arraigned before District Court Judge Steven Weissbard. All were released without bail under current New York State law, which does not permit bail for the charges they face. Each defendant is represented by legal counsel and will return to court on various dates in August 2024.
Brooklyn Man Indicted for Attempted Murder of Two Bellport BOCES Employees
Josef McLorrain, 22, of Brooklyn, has been indicted on two counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and other related charges after allegedly striking two BOCES employees with his vehicle and fleeing the scene. The incident occurred on the morning of June 24, 2024, in the parking lot of Eastern Suffolk BOCES’ Bellport Academic Center.
According to the investigation, McLorrain drove a black Mazda Tribute towards a group of five BOCES employees, hitting two of them. The victims were thrown onto the vehicle and then to the ground, suffering injuries that required hospitalization at Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue.
On August 7, 2024, McLorrain was arraigned before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro. He was held on $100,000 cash bail, $250,000 bond, or $500,000 partially secured bond. McLorrain, represented by Christopher J. Cassar, Esq., is due back in court on September 11, 2024.
Shirley Man Indicted for Stabbing Man at Adventureland Amusement Park
Daniel Tomasky, 42, of Shirley, has been indicted for Assault in the First Degree and other charges after allegedly stabbing a man at Adventureland Amusement Park in Farmingdale on July 7, 2024. The attack, which occurred in front of numerous children, followed an altercation between Tomasky’s family and the victim’s family.
Tomasky reportedly pulled a knife from his waistband and stabbed the victim, who was not involved in the initial altercation. The victim required surgery at Nassau University Medical Center for his injuries. Following the attack, Tomasky allegedly hid the knife in a sewer drain near his vehicle but was arrested at the scene by Suffolk County Police officers. The knife was later recovered.
On August 7, 2024, Tomasky was arraigned before Supreme Court Justice Anthony J. Senft, Jr. He was held on $50,000 cash bail, $100,000 bond, or $500,000 partially secured bond. Tomasky, represented by Michael Brown, Esq., is due back in court on September 3, 2024.
Islip Terrace Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Bar Assault
Darieo St. Leger, 35, of Islip Terrace, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to Assault in the First Degree. The charges stem from an incident on October 23, 2022, where St. Leger slashed a bouncer in the face at a Huntington bar.
After being denied entry into the bar, St. Leger attacked the bouncer with a sharp object, severing an artery in the victim’s cheek. The victim required multiple surgeries, including an emergency procedure to reattach a severed nerve. St. Leger fled to Virginia but was apprehended at LaGuardia Airport with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service.
St. Leger pleaded guilty on November 28, 2023, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft, Jr. On August 8, 2024, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison. St. Leger was represented by John Halverson, Esq.
