Riverhead Town Police Department Archives - Riverhead News Review https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/tag/riverhead-town-police-department/ Sat, 13 Sep 2025 18:07:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://timesreview-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/11192642/cropped-NR_favicon-32x32.jpg Riverhead Town Police Department Archives - Riverhead News Review https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/tag/riverhead-town-police-department/ 32 32 177459635 Charges of assault and drug possession after motor vehicle accident on Old Country Road https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2025/09/128684/charges-of-assault-and-drug-possession-after-motor-vehicle-accident-on-old-country-road/ Sat, 13 Sep 2025 18:07:33 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=128684 A motorcyclist was airlifted to Stony Brook Hospital by the Suffolk County Police Aviation Unit after a motor vehicle accident on Old Country Road between Ostrander Avenue and Oliver Street, just before 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12., according to Riverhead Town Police Department.  The motorcyclist, Michael McCann, 60, of Sag Harbor, remains in critical...

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A motorcyclist was airlifted to Stony Brook Hospital by the Suffolk County Police Aviation Unit after a motor vehicle accident on Old Country Road between Ostrander Avenue and Oliver Street, just before 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12., according to Riverhead Town Police Department. 

The motorcyclist, Michael McCann, 60, of Sag Harbor, remains in critical condition.

Mr. McCann was struck by a white Jeep traveling eastbound on Old Country Road, police said. The vehicle was driven by Tyryk Lewis, 28, of Riverhead, with a passenger, Rita Stumpf, 39, an undomiciled female in the Riverhead area. Both were taken into custody by officers.

Further investigation by the Riverhead Detective Squad has determined that Mr. Lewis and Mr. McCann “had been involved in an ongoing dispute. Detectives established that Lewis intentionally drove his vehicle into the motorcycle. Both Lewis and Stumpf were arrested,” police said.

Mr. Lewis was charged with Assault in the Second Degree and Ms. Stumpf was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree after being found in possession of crack cocaine, according to police.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Riverhead Police Department at (631) 727-4500, ext. 312.

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‘Take a bite out of crime’ (and a burger) at National Night Out https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2025/08/127804/take-a-bite-out-of-crime-and-a-burger-at-national-night-out/ Mon, 04 Aug 2025 16:11:27 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=127804 On Tuesday, Aug. 5, Riverhead Town Police Department invites the community to come to Town Square and celebrate the 42nd annual National Night Out. The evening is an opportunity for residents and the Crime Prevention Unit to gather together, form bonds and open communication. From 5 to 8 p.m., across from the Suffolk, attendees will...

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On Tuesday, Aug. 5, Riverhead Town Police Department invites the community to come to Town Square and celebrate the 42nd annual National Night Out. The evening is an opportunity for residents and the Crime Prevention Unit to gather together, form bonds and open communication.

From 5 to 8 p.m., across from the Suffolk, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions of department members or just get to know one another. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions or socialize with the members of the Riverhead Police Department.

The family-friendly event will include a free barbecue and live music; free ice cream, courtesy of Suffolk Federal Credit Union; a dunk tank — with perhaps a Riverhead Police Department officer in it; games and give-aways and a visit from McGruff the Crime Dog.

There will also be K-9 and drone demonstrations; police motorcycle, bike, boat, car and ATVs to get up close to; as well as Command Post, SWAT and dive equipment to see.

The Riverhead Police Department requested that neighborhoods hold porch vigils by leaving their front lights on between 7 and 10 p.m. in addition to the Town Square festivities.

The stated purposes of the annual National Night Out include: heightening crime and drug awareness; generating support for, and participate in, local anti-crime programs; strengthening neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and sending a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back against crime.

Town Supervisor Tim Hubbard remarked about the event at a recent work session, admitting that as an officer on the Crime Prevention Unit, he has worn the McGruff the Crime Dog costume on more than one occasion.

“All residents are invited to join,” he continued. “Come on down and celebrate crime prevention week, the first Tuesday in August. It’ll be a nice gathering down there. The police department is doing a great job, so I look forward to going down there.”

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Guilty plea in ‘unthinkable’ child abuse case  https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2023/08/117266/guilty-plea-in-unthinkable-child-abuse-case/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 10:05:00 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=117266 A 20-year-old Riverhead man pleaded guilty last week to repeatedly raping a younger cousin he babysat over the course of four years, beginning when the victim was 5 years old, according to Suffolk District Attorney Raymond Tierney. The DA’s office said they are not naming the defendant in order to protect the identity of the...

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A 20-year-old Riverhead man pleaded guilty last week to repeatedly raping a younger cousin he babysat over the course of four years, beginning when the victim was 5 years old, according to Suffolk District Attorney Raymond Tierney.

The DA’s office said they are not naming the defendant in order to protect the identity of the child victim. 

“This defendant, was entrusted to care for his younger cousins, instead subjected one of them to unthinkable sexual abuse for years of her young life,” Mr. Tierney said in a press release. “This guilty plea and ensuing prison sentence will ensure that the victim can begin to heal from the trauma that she endured without being subjected to testifying in court against her abuser and cousin.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his plea allocation, the defendant began living with the victim’s family in August 2018. The defendant acted as a babysitter for his two cousins who also lived in the home: the female victim, who was 5 years old at the time, and her 2-year-old brother. The defendant also assisted in getting the children off the school bus while their parents were working, according to Mr. Tierney. 

Between August 2018 and March 2022, the defendant repeatedly raped the victim during the times he was home alone watching the children. When the victim told the defendant that she would tell her mother what he was doing, the defendant threatened to kill her or her beloved pet cat if she said anything. 

In March 2022, the defendant raped the victim, who was then 9 years old, in front of her brother, who was then 6 years old. After seeing his sister in distress, the boy put the victim’s cat on the bed where the rape was occurring, and the cat scratched the defendant, which stopped the abuse. 

Shortly after that day, the victim’s mother noticed that the children were apprehensive about being alone with the defendant. When the mother inquired why, the boy told her what he saw happen to his sister, and that the defendant “hurts” the victim. The mother immediately called police, and the defendant was arrested. 

On July 28, the defendant pleaded guilty before county court Judge Karen Wilutis to the charge of rape in the first degree, a Class B violent felony. He is due back in court for sentencing on Sept. 6 and is being represented by the Legal Aid Society. 

This case is being prosecuted by assistant district attorney Michelle Chiuchiolo of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Richard Anderson of the Riverhead Town Police Department. 

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Police Blotter: One man killed, another injured in car accident https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2023/05/116356/police-blotter-one-man-killed-another-injured-in-car-accident/ Sat, 27 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=116356 One man was killed and another injured in a motor vehicle accident on Sound Avenue Saturday.  According to Riverhead Police, the accident took place east of the Baiting Hollow hill on May 20th.  Police were able to identify the driver of the vehicle as 31year-old Suliko Gvaramadze of Brooklyn. He was able to exit the...

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One man was killed and another injured in a motor vehicle accident on Sound Avenue Saturday. 

According to Riverhead Police, the accident took place east of the Baiting Hollow hill on May 20th. 

Police were able to identify the driver of the vehicle as 31year-old Suliko Gvaramadze of Brooklyn. He was able to exit the truck. 

His passenger, identified as 41 year-old Paata Zirakadze, also of Brooklyn, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The driver was taken to Stony Brook Hospital with minor injuries.

A caller told police that a large box truck appeared to have left the roadway, struck a utility pole and overturned.

• In a separate motor vehicle accident, a motorcycle rider left the road and crashed into a wooded area on Wading River-Manor Road in Wading River last Tuesday, according to Riverhead Town police. 

The operator, Anthony Gallo of Wading River, failed to negotiate a curve and crashed into underbrush on the east side of the road, police said. 

Mr. Gallo received a serious lower leg injury and was taken to Stony Brook Medical Center by the Riverhead Town Volunteer Ambulance. He was listed in stable condition, police said. 

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident should call police at 631-727-4500. All calls will be confidential. 

• Gulbahar Donn, age and address unavailable was charged with driving while intoxicated following his arrest on Route 58 Sunday. Additional information was not available. 

• Juan Aguilar-Elizande, 28, address unavailable, was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance Monday at the Village Grocery on East Main Street, according to police. 

• Kymani Coombs, age and address not available, was charged with petit larceny last Wednesday at the Polo Ralph Lauren store at Tanger Outlets. Additional information was not available. 

• Corey McKay, age and address unavailable, was charged with second-degree harassment last Tuesday at the Little Flower home in Wading River. Additional information was not available. 

• A man was observed stealing merchandise from the Polo Ralph Lauren store at Tanger Outlets last Thursday afternoon, according to police. Additional information was not available.

• A Northville Turnpike resident told police last Tuesday that someone stole a horse sculpture from their property. Additional information was not available. 

• A grand larceny was reported at the Walmart store on Route 58 Saturday night, according police. Additional information was not available.

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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Blotters: 26-year-old arrested after found driving stolen vehicle on Route 58 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2023/05/116024/blotters-26-year-old-arrested-after-found-driving-stolen-vehicle-on-route-58/ Sat, 06 May 2023 10:00:00 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=116024 On Sunday, at 3:34 p.m., Riverhead Police received a notification from Nassau County Police Department that a stolen vehicle had left Nassau County and was entering Riverhead Police jurisdiction.  About 10 minutes later, town patrol units located the vehicle, a 2006 Dodge Charger on Route 58 and stopped it near Mill Road. The driver, Bhajenauth...

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On Sunday, at 3:34 p.m., Riverhead Police received a notification from Nassau County Police Department that a stolen vehicle had left Nassau County and was entering Riverhead Police jurisdiction. 

About 10 minutes later, town patrol units located the vehicle, a 2006 Dodge Charger on Route 58 and stopped it near Mill Road. The driver, Bhajenauth Ramsaroop, 26, of Jamaica, was taken into custody and charged with one count of third degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class D felony, 2nd-degree obstructing governmental administration, a class A misdemeanor and numerous vehicle and traffic violations. He was held overnight for arraignment in Riverhead Justice Court.

• On April 29 police responded to Lucky Wines & Liquors in Riverhead for a reported attempted robbery. A store employee reported two men wearing masks entered the store with what appeared to be a handgun and demanded money. Both men fled the store with no proceeds. 

Riverhead patrol units and a K-9 unit canvassed the area but were unable to locate the suspects, according to police. 

Detectives were notified and the police urge anyone with information to contact the Riverhead Police Department, 631-727-4500.

• A woman told police Saturday afternoon that unknown people attempted to scam her out of $20,000, The report was made for documentation, and no money was stolen. 

• A Riverside man told police Sunday morning that an unknown person illegally gained access to his bank account and made a money transfer and $1,331 worth of purchases, according to police. 

• Troy Lucas, 39, and Lindsay Marino, 31, addresses unavailable, were both charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance last Wednesday day on East Main Street, according to police.

• Police arrested Michelangelo Scurto, age and address unavailable, at Stop and Shop on Route 58, and then turned him over to Suffolk County police first district on undisclosed charges. 

• Jorge Erick Espinosa, age and address unavailable, was charged with driving with intoxicated Sunday morning on Roanoke Avenue, according to police. 

• Southampton Town Police arrested a 29-year-old Flanders man for stealing multiple items from an unlocked vehicle Friday.

Jose Rivera Martinez was charged with two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, according to police. He was released on an appearance ticket.

• A cell phone, pair of sunglasses, power bank charger and approximately $320 in cash was reported stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Ludlum Avenue in Riverside Friday afternoon.

Detectives were notified about the incident.

• Police responded to Twin Forks Limo on Flanders Road Saturday afternoon after receiving a report that an unknown person broke the window on a vehicle overnight.

No items were reported missing from the vehicle, reports said.

• Southampton police are investigating after a woman reported that an unknown person damaged her BMW parked at 300 Riverleigh Ave. in Riverside Saturday night.

According to police, an unknown man used a blunt object to cause damage to multiple windows on her vehicle before fleeing the area shortly before midnight.

He was described as wearing black or gray jeans, a black hoodie, white sneakers and a black ski mask in a police report.

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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Blotters: Flanders man charged with menacing after threatening someone with a box cutter https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2023/04/115981/blotters-flanders-man-charged-with-menacing-after-threatening-someone-with-a-box-cutter/ Fri, 28 Apr 2023 16:00:00 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=115981 Southampton Town police arrested a 25-year-old from Flanders Sunday after he reportedly threatened someone with a box cutter in front of a child. Darwin Lopez Funes is facing charges of second-degree menacing and endangering the welfare of a child after he was arrested for the incident. Police reports did not indicate where the incident took...

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Southampton Town police arrested a 25-year-old from Flanders Sunday after he reportedly threatened someone with a box cutter in front of a child.

Darwin Lopez Funes is facing charges of second-degree menacing and endangering the welfare of a child after he was arrested for the incident. Police reports did not indicate where the incident took place.

• A Flanders man contacted police to report that someone posing as an employee of Medicare/Medicaid attempted to scam him over the phone last Tuesday evening.

According to a police report, the man gave the caller information for himself and his spouse, including Social Security numbers and dates of birth.

Though he has not suffered any monetary loss, police advised the man to monitor their credit reports and bank accounts for any suspicious activity.

• Police charged Jermy Ryan, 39, with trespassing after he was caught drinking a beer in the 7-Eleven parking lot in Flanders Saturday night.

Reports said Mr. Ryan has an active notice of trespass in effect for the location. He was charged with trespassing and also issued a violation for drinking an alcoholic beverage in public, police said.

• A woman stole a trampoline from Target on Route 58 Tuesday afternoon. Police arrested Laura Santiago, age and address unavailable, and charged her with petit larceny. 

• Manual Quezad Sanmartin, 43, address unavailable, was charged with driving while intoxicated on Osborn Avenue on April 20.

• Henry Dominguez Carpo, age and address unavailable, was charged with driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident Friday on Sound Avenue. 

• Eileen Judge and Christine Katt, whose ages and addresses were not available, were both charged with petit larceny at Target on Route 58 April 20. They were processed at police headquarters and released on an appearance ticket.

• Abel DeJesus, age and address unavailable, was charged with driving while intoxicated Tuesday on Route 58. 

• Dylan Stewart, 24, address not available, was charged with false personation Monday afternoon, on Heidi Behr Way in Riverhead. 

• Tiana Hendrick, 44, address unavailable, was arrested Tuesday morning on an arrest warrant. Additional information was not available.

• A theft was reported Tuesday Morning at the Walgreens store on Route 58. 

• A theft was reported on Ivy Circle in Wading River Monday. Additional information was not available. 

• A theft was reported at a home in John Wesley Village last Wednesday. Additional information was not available.

 •A theft was reported at Target on Route 58 last Thursday. Additional information was not available.

• Erik Johnson, age and address unavailable, was charged with second degree criminal contempt of court at Winged Foot Way in Riverhead Saturday. 

• A theft was reported Tuesday afternoon at Old Navy in Tanger Outlets Tuesday.

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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Blotters: Woman charged with harassment after incident at 7-Eleven https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2023/04/115915/blotters-woman-charged-with-harassment-after-incident-at-7-eleven/ Fri, 21 Apr 2023 17:00:00 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=115915 • Britney McGowan, age and address unavailable, was charged with second-degree harassment last Tuesday morning at the 7-Eleven store on West Main Street, according to police.  • Andrew Jelsik, age and address unavailable, was charged with petit larceny, and criminal possession of burglar’s tools at Home Depot on Route 58 last Wednesday. He was taken...

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• Britney McGowan, age and address unavailable, was charged with second-degree harassment last Tuesday morning at the 7-Eleven store on West Main Street, according to police. 

• Andrew Jelsik, age and address unavailable, was charged with petit larceny, and criminal possession of burglar’s tools at Home Depot on Route 58 last Wednesday. He was taken to police headquarters, processed and released on a desk appearance ticket, according to police. 

• Two quads were racing in the road way on Wading River-Manor Road in Wading River last Wednesday, according to police.

• An unspecified number of items were reported stolen from the Walgreens store on Wading River-Manor Road in Wading River Tuesday afternoon, according to police, who described the suspect only as a female. 

• A man told Riverhead police Friday that someone had gained access to his unemployment debit card and stole $280 at the CVC Pharmacy on Route 58 in Riverhead, according to police.

• A theft was reported at the Famous Footwear store at Tanger Outlets last Wednesday night, according to police. No other information was available. 

• Another theft was reported at Target on Route 58 last Wednesday, according to police. Additional information was not available. 

• A wallet was reported stolen from the Best Bay store on Route 58 Friday, according to police. 

• Diego Bravo, age and address unavailable, was charged with driving while intoxicated following a car accident Saturday night on Main Road in Aquebogue, according to police. Additional information was not available.

• A Riverside man contacted Southampton police after he confronted a man attempting to steal items from the bed of his pickup truck Sunday night.

The suspect reportedly dropped items next to the vehicle along with a backpack and ran into the woods around 10:45 p.m. Officers canvassed the area, but were unable to locate the man.

• Police are investigating after a Riverside resident reported that items including a bag, drills and wallet were taken from three vehicles in their driveway overnight last Wednesday.

Officials said the vehicles at the Vail Avenue home were all left unlocked overnight.

• David Deyak, 33, of Rocky Point was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle following a traffic stop on County Road 94 in Riverside Sunday morning.

He was stopped for speeding shortly before 11 a.m. when an officer discovered his license had been revoked. He was issued an appearance ticket, according to reports.

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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Organized retail crime blamed for surge in shoplifting at Tanger Outlets in Riverhead https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2023/04/115894/organized-retail-crime-blamed-for-surge-in-shoplifting-at-tanger-outlets-in-riverhead/ Thu, 20 Apr 2023 10:00:00 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=115894 Riverhead police logged more than 200 reports of shoplifting at the Tanger Outlets mall in the past year, according to data obtained through public records requests.  The Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store at Tanger Outlets logged the most 911 calls for shoplifting — 39 in one year — followed by the UGG store, with 24,...

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Riverhead police logged more than 200 reports of shoplifting at the Tanger Outlets mall in the past year, according to data obtained through public records requests. 

The Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store at Tanger Outlets logged the most 911 calls for shoplifting — 39 in one year — followed by the UGG store, with 24, and H&M, with 16 calls, according to police records from March 18, 2022, to March 18, 2023. In all, 222 such calls from 50 different Tanger stores were made during this period. 

Experts say that sustained and extensive retail theft is not unique to the Riverhead mall, but rather part of a vexing nationwide boom in organized retail crime. Various studies estimate the annual losses to major U.S. retailers from this type of crime range from $80 billion to more than $100 billion.

Last month, Riverhead News-Review sought a year’s worth of records of 911 calls emanating from the Tanger Outlets property to try and quantify the amount of shoplifting being reported there, after Riverhead Police Chief Hegermiller noted at a March civic meeting that Tanger is “probably the biggest” driver of property crime statistics townwide. 

Petit larceny, stolen property valued at less than $1,000, is a misdemeanor in the state of New York. A property theft is deemed grand larceny, a felony, when more than $1,000 worth of goods or merchandise is stolen. 

The records request also followed in the wake of a rare armed carjacking on March 10 of a Banana Republic outlet store employee’s vehicle, a crime that to date remains unsolved. Mr. Hegermiller said armed carjackings are so uncommon in Riverhead that he couldn’t recall the last time one occurred.

Mr. Hegermiller said in an interview this week that while the statistics for shoplifting in the past year at Tanger mark a 10-year high, that designation can be misleading. 

“I don’t want Tanger to sound like the crime capital of Riverhead, because it’s not,” he said. He said that to get an accurate comparison of shoplifting elsewhere in Riverhead, you’d have to compare one store to another. “You have I don’t know how many stores in there currently, all at one address. It’s not just Walmart, it’s dozens of Walmarts in one location.” According to Tanger’s website, there are more than 140 stores currently operating in the complex. 

At Riverhead News Review’s request, the chief reviewed yearly shoplifting statistics at Tanger Outlets over the past decade and found that the records of 911 calls from March 2022 to March 2023 were the highest, compared with the total number of larceny 911 calls from Tanger in 2017 (181), and in 2022 (193). 

Spokespersons for the Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, UGG and H & M did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the data. 

In a statement, Tanger Outlets management said that “Tanger continually evaluates its security protocols at each location to ensure they are robust and effective; utilizing the latest technology to constantly improve the programs we have in place. 

“While we cannot share the details of our security enhancements, our management team is working closely with our corporate security, retail partners and the Riverhead Police Department to ensure the well-being of our employees, shoppers and retailers.”

Jacque Brittain, editorial director at Loss Prevention Magazine, which tracks the retail security industry, and other industry veterans said the rise in organized retail crime nationwide can be attributed to multiple intersecting factors, including the growth in online retail platforms to resell stolen goods; reluctance by some retailers to report or prosecute retail thefts for fear of alienating or frightening customers; a lack of precise national statistics to measure and quantify the problem and higher priority crimes that necessarily take precedence over larceny. 

Trade industry and retail crime experts said that the Riverhead mall is particularly vulnerable to organized retail crime and shoplifting for the same reason that it’s a popular shopping destination: easy access to the Long Island Expressway. 

“You don’t have a shoplifting problem at [Riverhead’s Tanger Outlets] — what you have is an organized retail crime problem,” said Mr. Brittain. 

Much of the retail crime at luxury goods destinations like Tanger Outlets and similar malls across America is planned and organized, he said. 

“This is not some mom stealing a baby outfit for her kid at the Gap.”

There are no nationwide uniform crime statistics that measure organized retail crime, or differentiate it from individual shoplifting incidents, according to the National Retail Federation. 

Mr. Brittain, who reviewed the Riverhead police records, acknowledged that he “can’t say with complete conviction that all these [reports] are necessarily organized retail crime.” 

Yet he contended with a hint of sarcasm that his experience covering the industry suggested most retail theft these days is organized. 

“I guess it’s possible [an individual thief] needs to change their sweater every day, so they have to steal 50 of the same sweater, but c’mon.” 

Retail industry trade groups say the problem is growing and getting worse. 

“This is every state, every city,” said Christian Beckner, the NRF’s vice president of retail technology and cybersecurity. “You see this in smaller towns and rural areas too. It looks different in different places — depending on the tactics the criminals use — but it’s everywhere.” 

“We’ve definitely seen that during the pandemic, pretty much unanimously, our retail members have indicated this is an increasing problem.” 

A threat assessment report released by the NRF earlier this year found that 70% of retailers say the threat of organized retail crime has increased in the past five years.

While focused solely on New York City crime, an analysis of NYPD crime statistics released this month by researchers at John Jay College of Criminal Justice found that petit larceny reports grew 53% at major retailers across the five boroughs, from fewer than 35,000 to nearly 55,000 incidents annually.

Mr. Brittain said that the rise of online marketplaces — from Craigslist and Amazon to eBay, Facebook Marketplace and a galaxy of phone apps — is “probably the biggest contributor to the rise in organized retail crime.”

The NRF report notes that “user-friendly online marketplaces significantly reduce barriers to entry for sellers, including ORC fences, who are able to access prospective buyers across the United States and in many overseas markets.”

The NRF study’s researchers analyzed nearly 9,000 listings on two major peer-to-peer ecommerce sites — Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace — and found that about one-quarter of those listings contained “elements associated with organized retail crime.” Researchers said in the report that their findings “are consistent with information provided by law enforcement and loss prevention professionals.” Neither Craigslist nor Facebook parent company Meta immediately responded to requests for comment on the report’s conclusions. 

Industry experts say that major U.S. retailers face a Catch 22: they fear reputational damage if they draw too much attention to crime occurring inside their stores, yet the growth in organized retail crime is collectively costing the industry tens of billions of dollars a year.  

“Above and beyond everything else,” Mr. Brittain said, major retailers fear making “the customer feels unsafe — and they quit shopping there.” 

Mr. Beckner said big brands know they often have little to gain from reporting the crimes to police. 

“We’ve seen examples where retailers were told it’s a lower priority because it’s a property crime,” said Mr. Beckner. “If you have a police department with open murder cases, or open sexual assault cases, for very understandable reasons they prioritize” those crimes. 

He said that many organized retail crime gangs intentionally steal less than $1,000 worth of merchandise, knowing the crime will be categorized as a misdemeanor. 

“The thieves know to go in and steal not more than the [felony] threshold. Even if they are arrested, there’s no ability to prosecute in any way that’s a meaningful deterrent.” 

Mr. Brittain said that in many jurisdictions, “police simply won’t respond to these incidents, and that’s not the police’s fault. They see petit larceny crimes as not that important, and a lot of that comes from the [state] legislatures: It’s more of a headline to say you busted a drug ring.” 

Some retailers, even when confronted with arrested suspects, decline to prosecute. 

“The problem is that there are some stores or businesses or corporations that don’t want to prosecute, and that’s been forever,” Mr. Hegermiller said. “Some do, some don’t.” 

Mr. Beckner said that “a lot” of organized retail crime goes unreported by business owners. “Even when retailers are aware of it, they’re not always anxious to report it, and they know that over time no action will be taken.” 

Still, he believes that brand name retailers are beginning to change longstanding attitudes towards retail theft.

“You have seen more retailers, like Target and Walmart, being more vocal about this recently,” he said. 

New technology could make a difference too.

Earlier this year, the retailer Lowe’s announced plans to use RFID tags and scanners that activate legitimately purchased products at checkout, to render items like stolen power tools useless. 

The Lowe’s products are loaded with radio frequency identification tags with unique serial numbers. When a Lowe’s product is scanned at checkout, the scanner determines whether all the RFID tags match, and if so, activates the product for use. Without the scan, a stolen Lowe’s item, like a power tool, becomes useless. It also uses blockchain technology to create a publicly accessible database of legitimate purchases of a given product, which can be accessed by retailers, manufacturers and law enforcement to authenticate legitimate purchases. The database is anonymized on the blockchain and contains no personal information, according to Lowe’s.

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Blotter: 22-year-old Riverhead man charged with criminal mischief after smashing windshield https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2023/04/115778/blotter-22-year-old-riverhead-man-charged-with-criminal-mischief-after-smashing-windshield/ Fri, 14 Apr 2023 16:00:00 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=115778 • Southampton Town police charged a 22-year-old Riverhead man with criminal mischief after he damaged a motor vehicle in Flanders Saturday. According to a police report, Ryan Zukowski pulled into a driveway along Flanders Road near Enterprise Zone Drive and began punching a vehicle, denting the rear door, driver’s side mirror and shattering the windshield...

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• Southampton Town police charged a 22-year-old Riverhead man with criminal mischief after he damaged a motor vehicle in Flanders Saturday.

According to a police report, Ryan Zukowski pulled into a driveway along Flanders Road near Enterprise Zone Drive and began punching a vehicle, denting the rear door, driver’s side mirror and shattering the windshield while yelling “Do you want to fight, you [expletive]?” around 10:40 p.m.

Mr. Zukowski reportedly left the scene before police arrival, but turned himself in at police headquarters a short time later.

He was charged with second-degree criminal mischief, a Class D felony, reports said.

• Several arrests for driving while intoxicated were made over the past week, according to Riverhead Town Police. 

Joseph Booker, age and address unavailable, was charged with DWI Friday on Ellen Street in Riverhead, according to police. 

Kervin Mena, age and address unavailable, was charged with DWI Friday night on Pulaski Street in Riverhead. 

Jony Cortez-Ramos, age and address unavailable, was charged with DWI on Middle Country Road in Calverton last Tuesday. 

Taylor Thompson, age and address unavailable, was charged with DWI Monday night on Route 58. 

• Alton Scott, age and address unavailable, was charged with petit larceny Friday afternoon at Walmart on Route 58.

• A Northville resident told police Sunday night that someone had used his Social Security number to file for a tax return without his consent. 

• Sean Rochford, age and address unavailable, was charged with public urination last Thursday following his arrest on Railroad Avenue, police said. 

• Two women stole an undetermined amount of cosmetics from the Target store on Route 58 last Thursday, police said. 

• Items were reported stolen overnight from cars parked on Merritts Pond Road and Nadel Court Friday morning.

• An unknown person stole two pairs of shoes from the Famous Footwear store at Tanger Outlets Saturday. Additional information was not available. 

• A woman stole three duffel bags from the Michael Kors store in Tanger Outlets Saturday night and fled in a navy blue SUV, according to police. 

• •Noah McDermott, age and address unavailable, was charged with first-degree criminal contempt of court, violating an order of protection, following his arrest near the 7-Eleven on West Main Street.

• Gabrielle Mungin, age and address unavailable was charged with second-degree obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct just after midnight on West Main Street, according to police.

Additional information was not available. 

• A number of thefts were reported at the Walgreens store on Wading River Manor Road in Wading River last Thursday afternoon, police said. Additional information was not available.

• A 22-year-old from Flanders was arrested following a traffic stop on Quogue Riverhead Road last Tuesday night.

According to police, Leonardo Chludzinski was driving at an “unreasonable speed” on County Road 104 and Pleasure Drive while an officer was directing traffic for a motor vehicle crash.

Mr. Chludzinski was stopped in the driveway of his residence and provided his name and date of birth to an officer before placing his car in drive, proceeding down the driveway and fleeing the vehicle by jumping a fence.

He later returned to the vehicle to surrender and was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, second-degree obstructing governmental administration and several violations, reports said.

• Eleeam Sanchez-Espinoza, 23, of Riverhead, was charged with DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle during a traffic stop on Cross River Drive Monday night. He was stopped around 11 p.m. after an officer observed that he was failing to maintain his lane.

• An Old Riverhead Road resident reported to police Sunday that she sent an unknown person $500 through Venmo for two Taylor Swift tickets and realized it was a scam. Police are investigating the incident.

• Items were stolen from a vehicle along Flanders Boulevard Friday night.

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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Police Blotters: 23-year-old arrested for DWI, Harassment reported at McDonald’s https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2023/04/115708/police-blotters-23-year-old-arrested-for-dwi-harassment-reported-at-mcdonalds/ Fri, 07 Apr 2023 16:29:00 +0000 https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/?p=115708 Southampton Town Police arrested a 23-year-old Hampton Bays man for driving while intoxicated in Northampton Friday night. Police said Henry Chavez Morales was stopped shortly before 10 p.m. for failing to maintain his lane of travel northbound on County Road 51 near Lake Avenue. He was charged with DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation of a...

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Southampton Town Police arrested a 23-year-old Hampton Bays man for driving while intoxicated in Northampton Friday night.

Police said Henry Chavez Morales was stopped shortly before 10 p.m. for failing to maintain his lane of travel northbound on County Road 51 near Lake Avenue.

He was charged with DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, according to a police report. The vehicle was impounded. 

• Police arrested a 31-year-old from Calverton for driving without a valid license in Flanders Friday.

Andre Webley was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and several violations and released on an appearance ticket.

• An unknown person stole $30 from a vehicle on Riverleigh Avenue in Riverside after smashing a window. The incident was reported to police last Thursday evening.

• Cecil Trent, 58, of Riverside, was arrested for violating a trespassing agreement at the McDonald’s on Flanders Road last Thursday night after police received a report that he was “harassing” customers.

• Police were again called to the Riverside McDonald’s on Friday upon receiving a report that a man was “begging” for money at the location. The man was advised that he was no longer permitted on the property and refused to sign a trespassing agreement, telling an officer “I will come here anytime that I want bro, and you can not tell me otherwise.”

No further action was taken.

• A man was issued a notice of trespassing after he was found sleeping behind a shed at a home on Maynard Street in Riverside Saturday.

Riverhead Town police arrested Audrey Cinga, 39, for driving while intoxicated and cited her for other vehicle and traffic infractions on North Wading River Road in Wading River Friday at approximately 8:23 p.m.

• Police are investigating after an ATV was stolen from a backyard last week.

Reports said an unknown man entered a fenced yard on Ellen Street last Monday night and removed a gray 2021 Yamaha ATV valued at $9,000. No further information was available.

• A juvenile student was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center following a fight at Riverhead High School last Tuesday, according to police reports.

• Police received a report that two juveniles were “ding-dong ditching” houses on Maple Avenue in Riverhead Friday evening.

• Two packs of Newport cigarettes were stolen from 7-Eleven on West Main Street early last Wednesday morning.

• Franklin Vasquez Juarez, age and address unavailable, was arrested for third-degree assault at a garden center on Main Road in Aquebogue last Wednesday.

• Robert Jones, who age and address were not provided, was arrested for fourth-degree criminal mischief and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property at Dick’s Sporting Goods last Thursday evening.

• Turquaisia Downes, 37, was arrested for false personation on Railroad Avenue last Thursday morning.

• A business owner called police after an email with a fraudulent request for $10,000 was sent to her customers last Thursday. An investigation is ongoing, police said.

• Legos were reported stolen from Barnes & Noble on Old Country Road last Wednesday afternoon.

• A burglary was documented at Funchos Grill last Thursday morning. No further information was available.

• Danielle Cordone, age and address unavailable, was arrested for petit larceny at Stop & Shop on Old Country Road last Tuesday afternoon. She was released on an appearance ticket, reports said.

• A larceny of cooking oil was reported at Friendly’s on Old Country Road in Riverhead Tuesday afternoon.

• Police received a report that two unknown juveniles harassed someone at Pulaski Street School last Wednesday. An investigation is ongoing.

• Loose change was reported stolen from a vehicle on Pondview Road in Riverhead last Tuesday morning.

$30 was also reported stolen from a vehicle on Northern Parkway that morning.

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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