Southampton Town police arrested five people for drug possession in Riverside Saturday.

Donna Hill, 36, of Calverton; Shawanna James, 44, of Riverside; Benjamin Oliver, 28, of Mattituck; Giancarlo Santillo of Riverhead; and Cecil Trent, 53, also of Riverhead, were seen loitering on Old Quogue Road around 8:15 p.m. and police learned they were in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, officials said.

All five were charged with misdemeanor first-degree loitering.

Additionally, Ms. Hill, Ms. James and Mr. Oliver were all found to be in possession of crack cocaine and at least one crack pipe, according to the report. They were also charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

• A Patchogue woman was arrested for drug possession in Riverside last Tuesday.

Alexis Marisi, 21, was stopped for speeding near Cross River Drive and Quogue Riverhead Road around 7:10 p.m. and police smelled marijuana coming from inside her car, officials said. During an investigation, police found that she was reportedly in possession of cocaine and marijuana.

She was charged with misdemeanor seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and two violations.

• Police arrested a Greenport man for driving while ability impaired in Riverside Sunday.

Mario Bachez, 43, was seen crossing over the white shoulder line on both Lake Avenue and Flanders Road at around 2:25 a.m., officials said. When police stopped the car, they noticed that Mr. Bachez smelled strongly of alcohol and had bloodshot, glassy eyes, officials said. He performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests and failed a pre-screen device test, according to the report.

He was charged with misdemeanor DWAI.

• New York State police arrested a Flanders man for driving while intoxicated in Flanders.

Gregory Spano, 41, was stopped for speeding on State Route 24 and taken to the Riverside barracks where he provided a breath sample that registered a .16 percent blood alcohol concentration, officials said.

He was charged with misdemeanor DWI.

• A Flanders man was arrested for resisting arrest in Flanders Friday.

Police attempted to stop Carl Nieves, 22, as he rode a motorcycle near Oak Avenue and Flanders Road around 11:55 p.m., but Mr. Nieves failed to stop for a marked police vehicle with emergency lights and sirens on, Southampton Town officials said.

During the chase, Mr. Nieves ran numerous stop signs and was traveling at 65 mph in a 30 mph residential neighborhood. He was eventually stopped while trying to hide the motorcycle behind a residence on Priscilla Avenue, officials said. He was found to be in possession of marijuana and his motorcycle was impounded, according to the report.

He was charged with two misdemeanors — reckless driving and third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle — and 13 violations.

• Police arrested a Flanders man for driving without an interlock device in Water Mill last Thursday.

Michael Goericke, 28, was involved in a two-car accident with no physical injuries around 8:55 p.m. on Montauk Highway, officials said. Mr. Goericke was reportedly headed westbound when the second driver made an illegal U-turn, which caused the collision. During an investigation, police learned Mr. Goericke is only allowed to drive with an interlock device, officials said.

He was charged with misdemeanor circumventing an interlock device.

• A Riverhead woman was arrested for driving with a suspended license in Flanders last Wednesday.

After Joan Patino, 39, was stopped for speeding near Pleasure Drive and Tree Haven Lane around 8:20 a.m., police learned her license had been suspended in November 2016 for failing to answer a Southampton Town Justice Court summons, officials said.

She was charged with misdemeanor third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

• Police arrested a Riverhead man for driving with a suspended license in Flanders last Wednesday.

Victor Mosley, 31, was stopped for a cracked windshield and expired inspection around 8:35 p.m. during a safety check near Westhampton-Riverhead and Quogue-Riverhead roads and police learned his license had been suspended for failure to pay child support, officials said.

He was charged with misdemeanor third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and two violations.

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 31-year-old New Hyde Park man accused of making inappropriate contact with a minor in the wave pool at Splish Splash last year has pleaded guilty.

Kashmir Singh was fined $500 and sentenced to six-years’ probation after pleading guilty in Riverhead Town Justice Court Monday to one count of second-degree sexual abuse. The incident occurred on July 17, 2016 inside the Kahuna Bay Wave Pool, police said at the time. The victim was under the age of 14, according to police.

Second-degree sexual abuse is a misdemeanor. Mr. Singh had faced up to a year in jail and possible deportation.

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A Riverside man was arrested for drug possession in Riverhead Saturday.

Jose Maysonet, 51, was seen smoking a marijuana cigarette in Grangebel Park around 3:55 p.m., police said, and was arrested for fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor.

• Riverhead police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at the Citgo gas station on Route 58 in Riverhead last Thursday, officials said.

Officers at the scene said the suspect took off with an undisclosed amount of cash in the incident, which occurred shortly before 10:45 p.m.

The suspect, described as a black male wearing black clothing, fled the scene toward Osborn Avenue, according to a police press release issued a few hours after the robbery occurred.

Last Thursday’s incident marks at least the third robbery at the station in as many years.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact the Riverhead Town Police Department at 631-727-4500, ext. 327.

• Police arrested Leroy Farrar for seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, at Target on Route 58 around 5 p.m. Monday, officials said.

• Sawon Lee was arrested for misdemeanor fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana in Grangebel Park around 6:45 p.m. Monday, officials said.

• A Riverhead man was arrested for stealing in Riverhead Saturday.

Jamar Newkirk, 21, reportedly took a 43-inch Vizio TV from Walmart on Route 58 around 5:30 p.m. He was apprehended by store security and held until police arrived.

He was then arrested for misdemeanor petit larceny.

• Police arrested a Riverhead man for stealing in Riverhead last Thursday.

Ricardo Joseph, 24, was seen riding a scooter through Best Buy on Route 58 around 6:55 p.m. removing multiple items, including two Amazon Kindle Fire tablets, officials said. When police arrived Mr. Joseph reportedly admitted to taking the merchandise and putting it in his backpack, officials said. He was arrested for misdemeanor petit larceny and held on $100 bail.

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 Flanders man was caught driving drunk early last Thursday on Long Neck Boulevard near June Avenue in Flanders, according to Southampton Town police.

Rodolfo Luevano-Mendez, 32, was spotted “half asleep” in his vehicle, which was running with the driver’s door open on the side of the road, according to police. Upon investigating, police found that Mr. Luevano-Mendez’s breath smelled of alcohol and he was unsteady on his feet while exiting the vehicle, authorities said.

Mr. Luevano-Mendez was charged with misdemeanor DWI, according to police.

• Two men were arrested after police found them with what was believed to be crack cocaine early last Sunday in Riverside, police said.

Eddie Buckley, 61, of Riverside and Pirir Puluc, 43, of Sandston, Va., were found sitting inside a parked vehicle on Old Quogue Road near Pine Street in a “drug prone location” when police asked them to exit for further questioning, according to police. While the men left the vehicle, police noticed a small white rock, thought to be crack cocaine, on the floor, authorities said.

Both Mr. Buckley and Mr. Puluc were charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, police said.

• Ramon Nava, 35, of Medford was arrested and charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle last Sunday in Riverside after being stopped on Flanders Road near Ludlam Avenue for a traffic violation, according to police.

After a check on Mr. Nava’s history, police found he was driving with a license that had been suspended on three separate dates, police said. Mr. Nava was charged with two traffic violations in addition to the misdemeanor charge, officials said.

• A Hampton Bays man reported that he was struck in the back of the head by an unknown man who then stole his wallet containing a debit card and $1,120 in cash near Martas Deli on Riverleigh Avenue in Riverside last Sunday at about 6:45 p.m., according to police.

No arrests have been made in relation to the incident, police 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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A Riverhead home that had been previously raided as part of an East End Drug Task Force investigation sustained damage from a small kitchen fire overnight, Riverhead Town police said.

The home at 26 Melene Avenue was vacant and boarded up at the time of the fire, police said.

Police received a call just after midnight early Sunday morning of a report of a structure fire and the Riverhead Fire Department was notified. Officers who arrived on scene first found a small fire in the kitchen area, police said, and firefighters extinguished it.

Riverhead police along with the Suffolk County Police Department’s arson squad are investigating the cause of the fire.

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

In May, a Riverhead teenager was arrested at the same address on three counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.

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Riverhead Town police arrested six people at sobriety checkpoints throughout the town with the assistance of the East End DWI Task Force.

Police said increased enforcement throughout the town and several checkpoints led to the arrests of the following Saturday night into Sunday:

John Edwards, 31, of Elmont for driving while ability impaired by alcohol.

Christopher Leppard, 30, of Aquebogue for driving while ability impaired by alcohol.

Rebecca Karpf, 30, of Ronkonkoma for driving while ability impaired by alcohol.

Mark Doughty, 56, of Hauppauge for DWI.

Neverson Funn, 31, of Riverhead for driving while ability impaired by drugs.

Robilio Lopez-Ramos, 42, of Southold for aggravated DWI.

All six people were transported to police headquarters where they were processed to wait for a morning arraignment, police said.

A similar crackdown on drunken driving took place in Southampton Town, where two arrests were reported. Angel Rubin Patino, 38, of Riverhead was arrested for aggravated DWI with a blood alcohol content of .18 percent or more, according to Southampton Town police.

Police also arrested Andrew Getting, 37, of Port Washington for DWI in Hampton Bays, according to a press release.

Photo caption: (from left) Neverson Funn, Robilio Lopez-Ramos and Mark Doughty. (Credit: Riverhead police)

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The Riverhead Town Police Department will have three new members, effective June 25.

On Tuesday, the Town Board appointed Robert Sproston, Christie Smith and Christopher Pendzick as full-time officers. All had previously worked as part-time officers.

“These three officers paid their own way through the police academy,” Councilman John Dunleavy said. Usually, the town pays that cost.

“Now, they are coming back and we are hiring them as full-time police officers because we do need three new ones,” Mr. Dunleavy said.

The hirings will bring the department up to 86 members, according to Chief David Hegermiller. However, a retirement is expected in September, so that number will drop by one.

The Town Board on Tuesday also recognized Officer Tim Murphy, who has led the town police department in driving while intoxicated arrests for about 15 of his 18 years on the force, and has even led all officers in Suffolk County in DWI arrests several times.

“When the top DWI police officer in all of Suffolk County comes from the little town of Riverhead, you know we have something special,” Supervisor Sean Walter said.

Mr. Murphy and the Riverhead Community Awareness Program recently received the Mothers Against Drunk Driving New York Metro Area Law Enforcement Recognition Awards for DWI enforcement and education.

tgannon@timesreview.com

Photo: Riverhead Police Chief David Hegermiller swears in new officers (from left) Christopher Pendzick, Robert Sproston and Christie Smith during Tuesday’s Town Board meeting. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

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DNA evidence found on two murdered prostitutes doesn’t mean John Bittrolff killed the woman, it just means he had sex with them, defense attorney William Keahon said Monday in his closing statement of the murder case against Mr. Bittrolff.

But Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Robert Biancavilla said that while more than 50 suspects were tested, Mr. Bittrolff was the only one whose DNA matched what was found at both crime scenes. The bodies of both victims were discovered in wooded areas months apart more than 20 years ago. Mr. Biancavilla said a forensics expert testified that both women had sex within a half hour of dying.

“That doesn’t mean they just had sex,” Mr. Biancavilla told the jury in state Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro’s courtroom. “It means he killed them.”

The nine-week-old case is now with the jury, who began deliberating Monday afternoon.

Mr. Bittrolff, a 50-year-old Manorville carpenter and married father of two, was arrested on second-degree murder charges in 2014 for the 1993 and 1994 cold cases.

Rita Tangredi-Beinlich, 31, was found dead Nov. 3, 1993 in the woods off Esplanade Drive near South Country Road in East Patchogue. Colleen McNamee, 20, was found dead Jan. 30, 1994 in the woods east of the William Floyd Parkway in North Shirley.

Both women worked as prostitutes and were found nude, strangled and with severe heads injuries. Both victims were also discovered with their legs spread apart and had wood chips on their bodies, Mr. Biancavilla said.

Mr. Keahon spent much of his closing statement arguing that evidence destroyed by police in both murder cases could have identified other suspects.

He said 148 items of evidence in Ms. McNamee’s case were mistakenly thrown away and 18 items of evidence from Ms. Tangeni’s case also were destroyed.

Mr. Keahon highlighted the investigations of Suffolk County Police Officer Teddy Hart, who was fired in 2001 for making threats of violence toward women, and then-Sgt. Michael Murphy, who has since been promoted to lieutenant.

In the case against Mr. Murphy — who was investigated in 1998 and whose father was head of Suffolk detectives at the time — murder evidence placed inside a police vehicle was destroyed in 2005, he said.

Among the evidence was wood shavings, which could have been similar to the wood chips found on the victims, he added.

“How does this happen?” Mr. Keahon asked.

Mr. Biancavilla said both police officers were eliminated as suspects through DNA. He acknowledged that evidence in both cases were mistakenly destroyed and said it was due to a labeling error.

“There’s no excuses,” Mr. Biancavilla said. “They shouldn’t have been destroyed.”

tgannon@timesreview.com

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Three people were arrested on felony drug charges Tuesday following an East End Drug Task Force investigation in Riverhead, according to a police press release issued Wednesday night.

Robert Bradley, 44, and Michael Young and Sheryl Madr, both 33, were arrested at 534 Raynor Avenue, police said.

Mr. Young was charged with first-degree criminal nuisance and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, officials said.

Ms. Madr was charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, police said.

Mr. Bradley was charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, police said.

In January, Mr. Young and Ms. Madr were arrested on robbery and assault charges at the same home, according to previous reports.

Photo: From left, Michael Young, Sheryl Madr and Robert Bradley. (Credit: Riverhead Town Police Department)

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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers released Thursday photos taken from surveillance footage of the June 16 armed robbery Citgo gas station on Route 58 in Riverhead.

Officers at the scene said the suspect took off with an undisclosed amount of cash in the incident, which occurred shortly before 10:45 p.m.

The suspect, who was described as a black male wearing black clothing, fled the scene toward Osborne Avenue, according to a police press release issued a few hours after the robbery occurred.

The incident marks at least the third robbery at the station in as many years.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers has offered a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential, police said.

Photo credit: Suffolk County Crime Stoppers

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A Riverhead man was arrested on a drunken-driving charge Monday, according to a Riverhead Town police report.

Anibal Beltran Cruz, 46, was stopped near Elton Street and Ostrander Avenue around 12:30 a.m. for a traffic infraction when police learned he was intoxicated and charged him with misdemeanor DWI, officials said.

• Danielle Auguste was arrested for misdemeanor DWI on Harrison Avenue around 12:15 a.m. Saturday, officials said.

• Police arrested a Sound Beach woman for drug possession in Riverhead Monday.

Denise Reany, 54, was seen walking near the entrance of Adchem Industries on Route 58 around 8 a.m. looking down at the grass and pacing back and forth, officials said. Ms. Reany said she was picking up papers on the grass, and police learned while interviewing her that she was in possession of Suboxone Sublingual Film, for which she didn’t have a prescription, and had an outstanding bench warrant from the Suffolk County Police Department, officials said.

She was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.

• A Riverhead man was arrested for petit larceny in Riverhead Sunday.

Adam Tatum, 73, was seen walking along the railroad tracks near Mill Road and West Main Street around 8:50 p.m. holding a car radio by its wiring, officials said. When stopped by an officer, Mr. Tatum reportedly said he had just stolen the radio from a camper. Two other officers arrived, arrested Mr. Tatum and determined radio’s owner, officials said.

He was charged with petit larceny, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and possession of burglar tools, all misdemeanors.

• Police arrested two men for stealing in Riverhead Saturday.

Bobby Riddick and Jamar Newkirk reportedly stole $351 worth of assorted groceries, including Yodels, Cap’n Crunch and barbecue chips, from Gala Fresh Farms on Route 58 around 7:20 p.m., officials said.

They were charged with misdemeanor petit larceny.

• Two Echo chain saws, valued at around $800, were stolen from Home Depot on Route 58 around 10 a.m. Friday, officials said.

• A car was reportedly stolen from the Costco parking lot around 7:10 p.m. Friday. The owner’s house and car keys were believed to be inside the vehicle, officials 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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Riverhead Town police and Suffolk County Crime Stoppers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who stole $2,000 worth of merchandise from the Route 58 Home Depot.

The man, who was wearing a fedora, stole the merchandise at about 2:30 p.m. on June 4, police said. The man fled the store, possibly in a Nissan Pathfinder.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call anonymously at Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

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A woman was robbed at knifepoint on East Main Street late Thursday morning when two people approached her and took a bank envelope from her pocketbook, according to Riverhead Town police.

Police responded at about 11:30 a.m. and canvassed the area but could not locate the suspects, who are believed to have fled in a black colored vehicle with white New York plates, police said.

The suspect who displayed the knife is described as a Hispanic man in his late 30s, about 5-foot-7 with a thin build, clean shaven and short black hair. The other suspect is described as a Hispanic woman in her mid-30s, about 5-foot tall with a thin build, long curly black hair tied in a bun, police said. She was wearing a black blouse and black pants.

The robbery took place on East Main Street in front of East End Arts, police said.

Anyone who may have witnessed anything in the area is asked to contact police at 631-727-4500, ext. 328.

Photo credit: file photo

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Two Flanders men were arrested on criminal mischief charges early Friday morning after allegedly assaulting their sister’s boyfriend outside her home in Flanders, according to Southampton Town police.

Maycol Sequenortiz, 21, and Elvis Sequenortiz, 24, reportedly assaulted the man while he was in his vehicle outside the home, police said. The two attempted to pull him out of the car, punching him in the face and eye, according to police. As the victim tried to pull away, the men kicked the car, causing an estimated $250 worth of damage to its side, police said.

The victim, who had apparent broken bones, was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center via Flanders Volunteer Ambulance after giving his statement, according to authorities.

Both men were charged with third-degree criminal mischief, a felony, according to police. In addition, Maycol Sequenortiz was charged with third-degree assault, a misdemeanor, while his brother was charged with second-degree harassment, a violation, police said.

• A Centereach woman was arrested after she was found to be driving under the influence of cocaine last Tuesday on Flanders Road west of the traffic circle, according to New York State police.

Alyssa Somma, 25, was stopped by police after she was observed driving over hazard lines, authorities said. Police found a burned glass pipe with cocaine residue in the vehicle, officials said.

Ms. Somma was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to police.

• A Calverton woman was caught with crack cocaine Sunday after she was spotted hiding behind shrubbery with a man near Marta’s Deli on Riverleigh Avenue in Riverside, police said.

Donna Hill, 36, was seen acting in a suspicious manner and was found to be in possession of pipe and small quantity of the drug, according to police.

Ms. Hill was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, police said.

• A Riverhead man was arrested after a domestic incident Friday in Flanders during which he broke the victim’s bedroom window, police said.

Estabon Arp, 24, was charged with criminal mischief with intent to damage property, officials said.

Mr. Jara was found to be driving with a suspended license, police said.

• Jamie Wilds, 40, of Riverhead was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle last Tuesday night in Flanders after he was pulled over for failing to stop at a stop sign on Flanders Road in Flanders, police said.

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Two people were safely pulled to shore off Reeves Beach in the Long Island Sound after their kayak capsized Saturday afternoon, authorities at the scene said.

Lifeguards swam to both kayakers around 3 p.m. and kept them afloat until members of the Riverhead Fire Department came to assist in the rescue efforts, officials said.

The kayakers weren’t injured and were released at the scene after they were evaluated by the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps, authorities said.

A portion of Park Road was briefly closed during the rescue efforts and reopened by around 3:30 p.m.

Photo credit: Jen Nuzzo

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Three people were arrested at sobriety checkpoints Saturday night on Flanders Road in Flanders, according to a state police press release.

Kim Deiss, 50, of Flanders and Edgar Diaz-Cruz, 33, of Riverhead were charged with driving while intoxicated, police said. Julio Benitez-Reyes, 27, of Hampton Bays was charged with driving while ability impaired by alcohol, officials said.

They were held for an arraignment at Southampton Town Justice Court, the release states.

More than 300 vehicles passed through the checkpoint between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., police said.

Correction: The New York State Police Department issued a press release Sunday night stating it incorrectly listed the charge for Mr. Benitez-Reyes. He was charged with driving while ability impaired by alcohol.

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Riverhead Town police are seeking the public’s help to locate a moped that was reported stolen in Calverton.

The theft occurred sometime between 8:30 p.m. Thursday and 8:30 a.m. Friday, police said, at 1008 Wading River Manor Road. The moped was a 2012 Honda “Ruckus” with an estimated value of $3,000, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 631-727-4500, ext. 332.

Photo caption: A picture of the type of moped that was reported stolen. (Credit: Riverhead police)

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Thanks to Mother Nature, Ryan Preece of Berlin, Conn., landed his 16th career victory at Riverhead Raceway in Saturday night’s Modified race.

Preece had planned to race at Monadnock Speedway in New Hampshire, but a rain-out altered his plans. He instead headed south to Riverhead and the former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion raced to victory in the 67-lap main event.

The early part of the race saw Shawn Solomito of Center Moriches, Dave Brigati and Dillon Steuer taking turns in the lead. Solomito made a bid for the lead on Lap 12, but made brief contact with Steuer that allowed former three-time champion Howie Brode of East Islip to race his way past the top two cars for the lead. John Fortin Sr. of Holtsville, who’s also a former three-time champion, moved into second but was quickly chased down by Preece.

On Lap 16, Preece moved into second and set his sights on Brode, who had pulled away from the pack. Over the next 18 laps, the pair went back-and-forth, until Preece seized the opportunity on Lap 34 and grabbed the lead on the third turn.

He never let go of that lead for the remainder of the race.

Afterward, Preece said he got a call from Eddie and Connie Partridge, the Riverhead Raceway owners, to see if he would race that night once the New Hampshire race was washed out.

“I looked at my wife, Heather, and she gave me the nod of approval and here we are,” he said.

Brode finished second while Solomito took third. Tom Rogers Jr. of Riverhead was fourth and Fortin rounded out the top five.

Fortin currently leads the modified point standings with 227. Brode is second with 219 and Solomito is third with 211.

In the 25-lap Modified Crates race, Dylan Slepian of Dix Hills picked up his second victory of the season. Rookie Michael Rutkowski of Mattituck earned his second straight runner-up finish after he passed fellow rookie Kurt Kreiger on Lap 19.

Former Figure Eight champion Tom Rogers Jr. of Riverhead collected his 28th career win with a victory in the 15-lap Figure Eight race thanks to a late surge. It was his second win of the season.

Roger Turbush of Riverhead won his second Super Pro Truck event of the year with a victory in the 20-lap event that tied him with Lou Maestri of Deer Park for the all-time win lead at 29.

Street Stock newcomer Gerard Lawrence of Miller Place scored an upset victory in the 30-lap race. Greg Harris of Riverhead, who started the race 10th, was the runner-up while Brian Brown of Baiting Hollow was third.

In the Gut & Go Enduro, Joe Warren Jr. of Ridge quickly made his way from a 14th starting spot to a win in the 40-lap feature event.

Finally, in the 8-Cylinder Demolition Derby, George Astacio of Shirley picked up his first career victory. Scott Philips was awarded Judge’s Choice and Danny Zasowski was awarded the Fans’ Choice.

The racing continues this Saturday with another full slate at Riverhead Raceway on Wall of Fame night.

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A Manorville man accused of killing two women whose bodies were found in wooded areas in East Patchogue and Holbrook more than 20 years ago has been convicted of two counts of second-degree murder.

John Bittrolff is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 12 and could face up to 50 years in jail.

The nine-week trial ended June 26 and the Suffolk County jury gave its verdict Wednesday in Judge Richard Ambro’s courtroom.

Mr. Bittrolff was arrested July 21, 2014 in connection with the deaths of Rita Tangredi and Colleen McNamee. Police said at the time that DNA evidence obtained from Mr. Bittrolff’s brother connected him to the more than 20-year-old crimes.

Rita Tangredi-Beinlich, 31, was found dead Nov. 3, 1993 in the woods off Esplanade Drive near South Country Road in East Patchogue. Colleen McNamee, 20, was found dead Jan. 30, 1994 in the woods east of the William Floyd Parkway in North Shirley.

Mr. Bittrolff’s attorney, William Keahon, has argued that evidence destroyed by police in both murder cases could have identified other suspects.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Biancavilla has said that while more than 50 suspects were tested, Mr. Bittrolff was the only one whose DNA matched what was found at both crime scenes. In addition, a forensics expert testified that both women had sex within a half hour of dying, he said.

Both women worked as prostitutes and were found nude, strangled and with severe heads injuries, Mr. Biancavilla said.

District Attorney Thomas Spota said in a statement, “The families of these women have been through an agonizing long wait for justice and during the trial they had to endure graphic testimony about the death of their loved one.  We hope the verdict today gives them some semblance of peace.”

tgannon@timesreview.com

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Dylan Douglas was arrested Sunday around 3:40 a.m. on Route 58 in Riverhead and charged with driving while intoxicated, police said.

• Michael James was arrested last Tuesday around 11:55 p.m. near the intersection of Pulaski Street and Roanoke Avenue and charged with driving while ability impaired, police said.

• Adrienne Hertzler was arrested last Tuesday on Route 58 in Riverhead and charged with two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, police said.

• Christopher Washington was arrested on a petit larceny charge last Wednesday at McDonald’s on Route 58 in Riverhead after he reportedly stole a cellphone, police said.

• Maria Reyes Ochoa was arrested Sunday shortly before 11:30 a.m. at the Stop & Shop supermarket on Route 58 in Riverhead and charged with petit larceny, police said.

• Police were contacted Friday after someone used a street sign to break a window at the Supreme Court building in Riverhead, officials said. The damage totals about $100, the report states.

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