In Suffolk County, crime continues to unfold across various neighborhoods, with recent incidents ranging from public lewdness and fatal crashes to burglaries and thefts. Below are the latest updates from the Suffolk County Police blotter.
Man Arrested for Public Lewdness in Ronkonkoma, Tied to Multiple Incidents
A 43-year-old man is facing multiple charges after a series of public lewdness incidents that have occurred over the past three months in Suffolk County. Ronald Richardson III was apprehended by Suffolk County Police late Tuesday night after allegedly committing a lewd act in the parking lot of a Burger King on Portion Road in Ronkonkoma. Two female employees reported the incident, prompting Fourth Precinct officers to conduct an extensive search of the area.
Richardson, who is undomiciled, was located and arrested shortly after fleeing the scene. Following his arrest, detectives linked Richardson to two previous incidents of public lewdness: one at Orangetheory Fitness in Smithtown on August 1st, where he targeted a 29-year-old woman, and another at Old Navy in Lake Grove on May 18th, where he exposed himself to an 11-year-old girl.
Richardson has been charged with three counts of Public Lewdness in the First Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. He is currently being held at the Fourth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on August 21. Authorities are urging anyone who may have been victimized by Richardson to come forward.
Drunk Driver Crashes in North Babylon, Killing One Passenger and Seriously Injuring Another
A North Babylon man has been charged with DWI after a horrific car crash on Bay Shore Road that claimed the life of one passenger and left another seriously injured. On the evening of August 18th, David Valles, 31, was behind the wheel of a 1987 Ford Mustang when he lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a pole near Duke Street.
The crash proved fatal for John McHale, 67, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger, Patricia Leahy, 54, of East Islip, was rushed to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip with severe injuries. Valles himself sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore before being taken into custody.
Valles now faces charges of driving while intoxicated as the investigation into the deadly crash continues. The vehicle has been impounded for a safety check, and detectives are urging anyone with information to contact the Major Case Unit.
Deer Park Man Arrested for Possessing Child Pornography
A Deer Park resident is behind bars after Suffolk County Police uncovered a stash of child pornography during a raid on his home. Acting on tips from the New York State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, detectives from the Digital Forensics Unit executed a search warrant at Joseph Kirincic’s residence on East 6th Street on Tuesday afternoon.
Kirincic, 51, was found to have child sexual abuse material on his cellphone and was reportedly sharing this content through a messaging application. He was arrested at the scene and charged with Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child and Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child. Kirincic is being held at the Third Precinct and will be arraigned in Central Islip on August 21.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are seeking additional information that may assist in the case.
Man Wanted for Selden Theft After Stealing Power Tool from Pickup Truck
Suffolk County Police are searching for a suspect who swiped a Dewalt saw from the bed of a pickup truck in a Selden parking lot earlier this month. The incident occurred around 12:40 p.m. on August 1st at Independence Plaza.
The thief made off with the saw and fled the scene in a white work van. Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.
A cash reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with knowledge of the incident is urged to contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-220-TIPS or via the P3 Tips app. All tips remain confidential.
East Hampton Burglar Assaults Elderly Resident, Steals Cash
An East Hampton woman was injured during a brazen daylight burglary in her own home on Old Stone Highway. On the afternoon of August 19th, a man broke into the residence and, during the course of the robbery, grabbed the elderly victim by the neck and shoved her to the ground.
The suspect stole cash before fleeing the scene. He was last seen at a market on Springs Fireplace Road, wearing a medical mask under his chin and carrying a backpack with an Adidas logo. Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is urging anyone with information to come forward.
A cash reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with knowledge of the incident is urged to contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-220-TIPS or via the P3 Tips app. All tips remain confidential.
Suffolk County Police Seek Public’s Help in Centereach and Coram Larceny Cases
Police are on the lookout for suspects involved in several thefts in Centereach and Coram.
In one incident, four men were caught on camera stealing $565 worth of food and bath products from a Target store on Pond Path on August 15th.
A separate incident occurred on July 18th at another Target store in Centereach, where a man stole merchandise.
In a Coram case, a woman damaged property at a 7-Eleven during a dispute in April. Crime Stoppers is offering rewards for tips that lead to arrests.
A cash reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with knowledge of the incident is urged to contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-220-TIPS or via the P3 Tips app. All tips remain confidential.
Repeat Felon Pleads Guilty to New Year’s Eve Manslaughter in Middle Island
A convicted felon has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a Middle Island woman on New Year’s Eve. Detrich Emanuel, 31, admitted to killing Kristine Costantino, 40, after a heated argument at her apartment on December 31, 2023. Emanuel shot Costantino in the chest before fleeing the scene. Costantino named Emanuel as her attacker before succumbing to her injuries at Stony Brook University Hospital.
Emanuel was captured in the Bronx two weeks later and now faces 20 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. His sentencing is scheduled for October 10th.
Man Arrested for Burglarizing Home, Stealing Truck in Babylon
Suffolk County Police have arrested a Babylon man for breaking into a home and stealing a truck on Sunday morning. The suspect was apprehended after the homeowner pursued him in the stolen 2020 Dodge Ram. The arrest was made in the Araca Road area. Further details are forthcoming.
$120 in Watches Stolen from Centereach Store, Suspect Still at Large
Suffolk County Police are on the hunt for a woman who stole watches from Burlington in Farmingville on June 15, 2024. The stolen merchandise, valued at more than $120, was taken from the store located at 2280 North Ocean Avenue. Suffolk County Crime Stoppers, along with Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers, are now seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the suspect.
A cash reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with knowledge of the incident is urged to contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-220-TIPS or via the P3 Tips app. All tips remain confidential.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
