A Riverhead man was arrested on a drug possession charge last Wednesday during a traffic stop in Riverhead, according to a Riverhead Town police report.

Andre Javon Machuca-Baskin, 20, was driving a gray 2013 Kia Optima near the intersection of East Main Street and Fairway Avenue around 4 p.m. when he was pulled over, officials said. The officer noticed a strong odor of marijuana and Mr. Machuca-Baskin told the officer that he had marijuana under his seat, officials said. He was charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana, police said.

• A Riverhead man was arrested on a drunken-driving charge Sunday on Peconic Avenue, police said.

Marcos Hernandez-Banda, 38, was pulled over around 12:30 a.m. and charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, officials said.

• Arturo Thompson was arrested Sunday around 1 a.m. on Roanoke Avenue in Riverhead and charged with DWI, police said.

• A Riverhead teen accused of inappropriately touching a woman in front of Home Goods in Riverhead was arrested Friday, according to a police report.

The victim contacted police around 9:50 a.m. to report the unknown man’s actions, which took place while she waited for the store to open, officials said.

Police found the suspect, 17-year-old Quashiem Miller, near the intersection of Osborn and Railroad avenues and charged him with third-degree sexual abuse, the report states. No other details about the incident were immediately available.

• Doretta Pendleton, 43, of Mastic was arrested Sunday around 2:35 p.m. at Walmart in Riverhead and charged with petit larceny, police said.

• Bradford Collins was arrested Sunday around 3:30 p.m. at Walmart in Riverhead and charged with petit larceny, police said.

• Zaman Kamruz was arrested Saturday around 4:30 p.m. on Fresh Pond Avenue in Calverton and charged with petit larceny, police said.

• Richard Mahler, 27, of Riverhead was arrested last Thursday around 1:10 p.m. at Walgreens in Riverhead and charged with petit larceny, police said.

• Wade Mendoune, 19, of Middle Island was arrested last Wednesday around 2:30 p.m. at Calvin Klein in Riverhead and charged with petit larceny, police said.

• Police received a report last Wednesday afternoon that the driver of a Lexus ran over someone’s foot near Saks Off Fifth in Riverhead. No other details about the incident were available.

• A black Schwinn 10-speed men’s bicycle and a portable satellite dish valued at $460 were reported stolen Saturday morning from the Riverhead Moose Lodge, police said.

• Six locker thefts were reported Saturday night at Splish Splash in Calverton, police said. No other details about the incident were 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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Riverhead Town police are searching for two suspects who reportedly attacked and robbed a man Friday night in Riverhead, according to a press release.

A Hispanic man was walking on Pond View Road near Franklin Street around 11:55 p.m. when he was attacked by two men, officials said.

Police said the suspects stole cash from his pocket and fled the area southbound on Pond View Road. The suspects are only described as black males, the report states.

Officers and a K-9 unit, as well as the Riverhead Detective Division, responded to the scene and didn’t locate the suspects.

No other details about the robbery were available.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Riverhead Town Police Department at 631-727-4500. All calls will remain confidential, officials said.

On Wednesday, Aug. 2, around 9:45 p.m., a Hispanic man was walking on Union Avenue near East Main Street when he was attacked by three men, police said. Those suspects were described as black males in their early 20s and one of them was wearing a gray shirt, red shorts and red and white sneakers, the report states. No arrests in that robbery have been made.

Image credit: Google Maps

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Officers responded to 176 Horton Ave. in Riverhead shortly before 3 p.m. Friday in response to a burglary, according to a police press release.

The suspect entered the residence “through a south side window and removed assorted items,” the release states. No other details about the robbery were available.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Riverhead Town Police Department at 631-727-4500. All calls will remain confidential, officials said.

On Aug. 10, police responded to 1023 Parkway St. in response to a burglary and a resident told them that an unknown person entered through a rear window and stole two handguns and money. No arrests have been made in that robbery.

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Officers responded to Honda of Riverhead shortly before 9 a.m. Saturday in response to an attempted burglary that reportedly took place overnight, according to a police press release.

A lock was broken off a storage container in the parking lot at the dealership located at 1407 Pulaski Street in Riverhead and the burglar damaged the front door after attempting to enter the building, police said.

“It does not appear that entry was made to the primary building and nothing appeared to be missing from the premise at this time,” the release states.

No other details about the investigation were available.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Riverhead Town Police Department at 631-727-4500 ext. 332. All calls will remain confidential, officials said.

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A 2-year-old boy was killed Saturday in Wading River after he ran into the street and was hit by a car, according to a Riverhead Town police press release.

Police received a report about the crash at Oakwood on the Sound off Locust Road shortly before 4:40 p.m. and determined the child was playing in a yard before running into the street, officials said. He was struck by a 2015 Audi Q7 driven by Laura Russo of Old Field, police said.

The child, who’s name hasn’t been released, resided in Astoria, Queens with his parents, police said.

The Wading River Fire Department’s ambulance crew transported the child to Peconic Bay Medical Center with serious injuries and he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital, the report states.

The Riverhead Police Detective Division also responded to the scene, as well as the New York State Police Accident Reconstruction Unit to assist in the investigation, officials said. The vehicle was impounded for safety checks and the investigation is ongoing, police said.

No charges were filed against the driver, according to the release issued Saturday night. No other details about the investigation were available.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Riverhead Town Police Department at 631-727-4500 ext. 326. All calls will remain confidential, officials said.

Photo credit: Stringer News

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Southampton Town police arrested a Flanders man for driving while intoxicated in Riverside Sunday.

Jose Pineda-Medina, 28, was stopped for failing to stay in his lane around 2:45 a.m. near the Budget Host Inn on Lake Avenue, officials said. During further investigation police learned he was intoxicated, officials said.

He was charged with DWI with a prior conviction in the past 10 years and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, both felonies, and two violations.

• New York State Police arrested a Hampton Bays man for driving while intoxicated in Riverhead last Tuesday.

Alexander Matjan, 41, was stopped for speeding and an inoperative headlight on Route 58 and was later taken to the Riverside barracks, where he provided a breath sample of .15 percent BAC, officials said.

• A Riverhead man was arrested for driving while ability impaired by alcohol in Riverside.

Byron G. Nij Choy, 23, was stopped on County Route 104 for traffic violations. A breath test later revealed he had a BAC of .06 — under the legal limit of .08 for DWI, officials said.

• Two people were arrested for drug possession in Riverside last Thursday.

Dominique Cratch, 31, of Riverhead and James Nowack, 38, of Calverton were seen “in a known drug location” on Old Quogue Road around 11 a.m., Southampton Town officials said. Both were seen holding crack pipes containing crack cocaine and Mr. Nowack was reportedly seen smoking his, officials said. During a subsequent search, police allegedly found a quantity of crack cocaine in his left front pants pocket.

They were both charged with misdemeanor seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

• Police arrested a Flanders man for driving with a suspended license in Riverside last Friday.

James Fox, 35, was stopped while headed north on County Route 104 around 9:10 p.m. for not having a rear license plate lamp when police learned he had a suspended license, officials said.

Mr. Fox was charged with misdemeanor third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and a violation.

• A Riverhead man was arrested for driving with a suspended license in North Sea last Monday.

Jose Gomez, 19, was stopped for an expired inspection around 3:50 p.m. on North Sea Road when police learned he had a suspended driver’s license, officials said.

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

• The rear driver’s side window of a car parked at the Flanders Community Center was reportedly smashed around 1:40 p.m. last Monday. Nothing was reported missing from the car, officials said.

• Someone called police last Thursday saying an unknown woman punched him in the face at the Valero gas station on Peconic Avenue in Riverside around 4:25 a.m., officials said. Police said the caller was “very uncooperative” and didn’t answer a return call. No one was located.

• A car parked on Flanders Road in Flanders last Thursday reportedly had its rear window and door damaged, with two drills removed from inside the vehicle, officials said. Damage to the car is estimated at over $250 and a PVC pipe was allegedly used to gain entry, 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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A motorcyclist was arrested on a drunken driving charge Monday night after hitting a pedestrian in the crosswalk at West Main Street and Griffing Avenue in Riverhead, according to a police press release.

Clarence Trent, 44, of Mastic was driving a 2004 Kawasaki motorcycle shortly before 8:20 p.m. when he crashed into Jacinto Anastacio Damian-Pu, 35, of Flanders, police said.

Mr. Damian-Pu suffered “serious injuries” and was treated at the scene by the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps, officials said. He was later airlifted to Stony Brook Medical Center “for treatment of non-life threatening injuries,” the release states.

Mr. Trent was charged with driving while intoxicated and held for an arraignment, police said.

No other details about the investigation were available.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Riverhead Town Police Department at 631-727-4500. All calls will remain confidential, officials said.

Photo: Clarence Trent. (Credit: Riverhead Town Police Department)

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Three Riverhead teenagers accused of robbing a man Monday night in Riverhead have been arrested on felony charges, according to a police press release.

Gino Florian and Joseph Russo, both 17, and 16-year-old Tavares Redd reportedly assaulted the victim outside Osborn Plaza around 10 p.m. and stole his cash and credit cards, police said.

Police located the suspects and found Mr. Florian was in possession of a loaded firearm, the release states. He was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree robbery, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, third-degree criminal trespass and unlawful possession of marijuana, officials said.

Mr. Russo was charged with second-degree robbery, third-degree criminal trespass and unlawful possession of marijuana, police said.

Mr. Redd was charged with second-degree robbery, third-degree criminal trespass and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, officials said.

The victim was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries, police said.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Riverhead Town Police Department at 631-727-4500. All calls will remain confidential, officials said.

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Two teenagers in a stolen vehicle were arrested Tuesday afternoon after trying to evade police and jumping out of a moving vehicle, according to a Riverhead Town police press release.

A third suspect eluded police and is currently being sought. A description of the suspect was not provided.

The stolen 2013 Hyundai struck a telephone pole on Raynor Avenue after the occupants jumped out of the moving vehicle. Officers located two teenagers and arrested Alexander Roberson, 17, of Riverhead and Zante Davender, 18, of Jamesport. They were both charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a felony. Mr. Davender was also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, police said.

The incident unfolded at about 2:37 p.m. A K9 search for the third suspect as unsuccessful, police said.

Mr. Roberson and Mr. Davender were both held for arraignment.

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Two staff members from Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead rescued seven sandbar sharks Aug. 23 from a basement in Lagrangeville, N.Y.

Joe Yaiullo and Rachael Vietheer from Long Island Aquarium, along with state Department of Environmental Conservation police officers, rescued the sharks. They also found two dead leopard sharks and a dead hammerhead shark, according to a DEC press release.

The sharks were reportedly kept in a 15-foot above-ground pool in the basement.

The live sharks were taken to the Riverhead aquarium, where they will be held until the case, which is currently under investigation, is closed.

The sharks are in a quarantine holding tank in the aquarium’s rear facility, where they are being “cared for, fed well and swimming well,” Darlene Puntillo from Long Island Aquarium said. They’ll remain there until aquarium staff can be sure the sharks are healthy.

The sharks were caught “with ease,” measured, tagged and had their blood taken, DEC officials said. The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research provided transportation, using a box truck equipped with plastic tanks, oxygen and climate control capabilities.

Ms. Puntillo said the aquarium often gets calls to take in animals such as reptiles or fish that have outgrown their living situations, but not usually for sharks.

No other details about the investigation were immediately available.

nsmith@timesreview.com

Photo credit: New York State Department of Conservation

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Two people were arrested on felony charges Friday afternoon after they reportedly stole merchandise at Tanger Outlets, according to a Riverhead Town police press release.

Police responded to Tommy Hilfiger Outlet in Riverhead around noon to investigated an attempted theft, officials said.

July Beltran and Luis Palacios-Garzon, both of Queens, reportedly attempted to steal clothing and fled the scene without the merchandise, police said. Officers located the suspects in the area and they were charged with attempted petit larceny, officials said.

During the investigation, police determined Ms. Beltran and Mr. Palacios-Garzon stole merchandise from the store June 29 and charged them with fourth-degree grand larceny, the report states.

They were held for an arraignment. No other details about the investigation were immediately available.

Photo: July Beltran and Luis Palacios-Garzon. (Credit: Riverhead Town Police Department)

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A Riverhead man was arrested for grand larceny last Wednesday, according to a Riverhead Town police report.

Richard Johannes, 21, was arrested at police headquarters around 4 p.m. for his involvement in an incident that occurred Aug. 8, officials said.

He had also been arrested earlier in the day for his involvement in a petit larceny that occurred Aug. 22, officials said.

He was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, a felony, and misdemeanor petit larceny.

• Police arrested Fred Valcin, 30, of Riverhead for DWI and DWAI after he was stopped on East Main Street early Saturday morning. Police said he was driving with a suspended license and he had a quantity of marijuana on him.

• Two teenagers in a stolen vehicle were arrested Tuesday afternoon after trying to evade police and jumping out of a moving vehicle, according to a Riverhead Town police press release.

A third suspect eluded police and is currently being sought. A description of the suspect was not provided.

The stolen 2013 Hyundai struck a telephone pole on Raynor Avenue after the occupants jumped out of the moving vehicle. Officers located and arrested Alexander Roberson, 17, of Riverhead and Zante Davender, 18, of Jamesport. Both were charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a felony. Mr. Davender was also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, police said.

The incident unfolded at about 2:37 p.m. A K-9 search for the third suspect was unsuccessful, police said.

• A Calverton man was arrested for drug possession in Wading River last Wednesday.

An employee of the Wading River Motel on Route 25 found a black bag in the lobby around 3:30 p.m. and when looking inside for identification found two plastic bags of marijuana, a red grinder and clothing, officials said. The employee also found an identification card for Adrian Rodriguez, 46, officials said. As an officer was taking possession of the bag, Mr. Rodriguez entered the lobby and asked if someone had found his bag, police said. The officer asked Mr. Rodriguez if the black bag was his, to which he responded, “That is my bag. The marijuana in it is for medical use, I swear,” officials said. The officer placed him in custody and, during a search, found a small plastic bag containing a white powdery substance in his front right shorts pocket, which appeared to be cocaine, officials said.

Mr, Rodriguez was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, and a violation.

• Michael Schneelock was arrested for driving while intoxicated and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, near East Main Street and McDermott Avenue around 1 a.m. Saturday.

• Robinson Remachi Morocho was arrested for DWI on Wading River Manor Road around 12:35 a.m. Monday, officials said.

• Joseph Hrzich, 59, was arrested for DWI near Baiting Hollow Congregational Church on Sound Avenue around 7:20 p.m. last Thursday, officials said.

• A Jamesport man was arrested for second-degree criminal contempt in Riverhead last Thursday.

Joshua Georges, 35, was found to be in violation of an order of protection after he was found on Second Street at around 3:10 p.m. with a man he wasn’t allowed to have verbal contact with, officials said.

• A man was reportedly attacked on Pond View Road in Riverhead by two men who knocked him to the ground and punched him in the face while stealing money from his pocket at around 11:55 p.m. Friday. A police K-9 unit responded but could not locate the suspects, police said.

• Herwin Herrera, 51, was arrested for misdemeanor forcible touching around 9:55 a.m. Aug. 29 in relation to an incident that occurred the day before, officials said. Mr. Herrera was released on $1,000 bail, officials said.

• Police arrested Naomi Swenk for second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, at around 12:25 p.m. Friday on Doctor’s Path, officials said. Ms. Swenk was also found to have an outstanding bench warrant out of Southampton Police Department, 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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A woman escaped a house fire in Jamesport with the help of a good Samaritan and a firefighter was injured battling the blaze Saturday.

Mike Gatto was enjoying the afternoon at Jason’s Vineyard on Main Road when he noticed smoke coming from a nearby house. Authorities received the emergency call around 2:45 p.m.

“Me and two friends went around the back of the house, grabbed a woman inside the house and walked her to the front and away from the fire,” he said.

Two dogs were also rescued from the home, according to witnesses. A cat didn’t survive the fire, authorities said.

Jamesport, Mattituck and Cutchogue fire departments responded to the scene and the Riverhead Fire Department remained on standby.

Jamesport Fire Department Chief John Andrejack said a Mattituck firefighter suffered minor injuries and the woman was taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.

“It was totally involved when we got here,” he said. “It is now contained. There are still hot spots, but it’s under control.”

He added: “There were walls inside that prevented the flow of water.”

A portion of Main Road remains closed as of 4 p.m. No other details about the investigation were immediately available. Check back for updates.

swick@timesreview.com

Photo credit: Steve Wick

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Three men who were found sleeping in a car parked in Riverside last Monday were arrested on drug charges, according to a Southampton Town police report.

Authorities approached the vehicle parked on Old Quogue Road after they spotted a glass pipe outside the driver’s-side door. They also found another pipe on the rear seat, which police said tested positive for cocaine.

Shareem Giles, 46, of Riverhead; Cleveland Griffin, 49, of Flanders; and Jamar Newkirk, 21, of Calverton were charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, officials said.

• Luis Benitez, 28, of Eastport was caught with THC in a vape pen and marijuana in his vehicle’s middle console during a traffic stop last Tuesday on Pine Street in Riverside, police said. He was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, officials said.

• Ceferino Ortiz, 29, of Flanders was arrested on a drug charge Monday after police observed him leaving a “known drug location” on Old Quogue Road in Riverside and throwing crack cocaine to the ground as officers approached him, the report states. He was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, police said.

• Adam Tatum, 51, of Riverside was charged with criminal mischief with intent to damage property and petit larceny last Wednesday after he reportedly stole power tools and damaged the rear door of a vehicle, police said.

• A Southampton Town parks department employee reported last Monday that someone stole a leaf blower from the back of his truck while he was mowing the grass at Ludlum Avenue Park, officials said. The employee told police he did not see anyone take it, but noticed a vehicle leaving the parking lot, police said. Authorities checked the area with no results, the report states. No other details about the incident were available.

• A Flanders homeowner reported last Thursday that a front window of his home was smashed overnight, police said. A burglary had previously been reported at the residence, according to police.

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 man was arrested Monday afternoon on felony drug possession charges following a foot pursuit in Northampton, according to a Southampton police press release issued Tuesday.

Police received a report of drug activity at Wildwood Lake Town Park shortly before 12:40 p.m. and stopped Willie Bryant, 36, officials said.

During the investigation, Mr. Bryant fled the area and was later apprehended at the intersection of Lake Avenue and Old Westhampton Road, police said.

Officers found he was in possession of “10 grams of crack cocaine, 8 grams of powdered cocaine and 5 bags of heroin,” the release states.

Mr. Bryant was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest, second-degree obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct, police said.

No other details about the investigation were available.

Photo: Willie Bryant. (Credit: Southampton Town Police Department)

Image credit: Google Maps

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A Jamesport man was arrested Monday morning following a high-speed chase across the North Fork that ended at a Greenport gas station without any injuries, according to a Southold police press release issued Tuesday morning.

The incident began with Riverhead police searching for Roger Makowski, 59, who was driving a black Volvo sedan around 10 a.m. on Peconic Bay Boulevard, officials said. Officers in Riverhead alerted Southold to keep an eye out for the vehicle since Mr. Makowski had a warrant from Riverhead Town Justice Court, police said.

A Southold officer spotted the Volvo speeding eastbound on Peconic Bay Boulevard, initiated the pursuit and attempted to pull the vehicle over on Bay Avenue, police said. Officers also attempted to stop the car in front of police headquarters in Peconic with spike strips, but Mr. Makowski, who was the only person in the car, avoided it by driving around, officials at the scene said.

The pursuit continued into Greenport before coming to an end at the Patriot gas station on Main Street shortly after 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Makowski was transported via Greenport Ambulance to Eastern Long Island Hospital for evaluation, police said.

He was charged with misdemeanor unlawfully fleeing police and was taken into custody by Riverhead police, officials said.

No other details about the investigation were immediately available.

Photo caption: The vehicle that led police on a chase pictured under the overhang on the right. (Credit: Jen Nuzzo)

jnuzzo@timesreview.com

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John Bittrolff, the 51-year-old Manorville carpenter who was found guilty of murdering two women and dumping their bodies in the woods more than 20 years ago, was sentenced to two consecutive sentences of 25 years to life in prison Tuesday by Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro.

The case was largely solved using DNA found on the victims, prosecutors said.

“These two murders are as brutal as anything I’ve ever seen,” the judge said at Mr. Bittrolff’s sentencing in Riverside. He said the goal of his sentence was to ensure that Mr. Bittrolff never saw freedom again.

In court, Mr. Bittrolff declined to speak, but his attorney, John Manley, said his client “didn’t do it” and is innocent. He said he plans to immediately file an appeal of the decision.

The bodies of Rita Tangredi, 31, of East Patchogue and Colleen McNamee, 20, of Holbrook were both found murdered in the woods more than 20 years ago. Both were found naked and positioned in similar fashion by the killer.

In court Tuesday, Ms. Tangredi’s son, Anthony Beller, and Ms. McNamee’s father, Lawrence McNamee, and brothers Ken and Thomas McNamee, all addressed the court, and called for the maximum sentence for Mr. Bittrolff.

“I will one day have to tell my children how their grandmother was taken from us,” Mr. Beller said to Mr. Bittrolff. “You are the monster in that story.”

Lawrence McNamee praised the jury for their ability to see the truth.

“My daughter’s hopes and ambitions, and our hopes for her, died with her,” he said.

Thomas McNamee said his sister “was brutally murdered by Mr. Bittrolff. A stone cold killer.”

Ms. Tangredi was found Nov. 3, 1993 in a wooded area off of Esplanade Drive in East Patchogue. The cause of death was blunt force trauma to her head and strangulation.

Ms. McNamee was discovered Jan. 30, 1994 in a wooded area east of William Floyd Parkway in North Shirley, and she had been strangled and had a blunt force injury to her head.

Both victims had been prostitutes and had drug problems, officials said at the trial.

Both cases went unsolved for years until Mr. Bittrolff’s brother, Timothy, was arrested on an unrelated charge and was required to give a DNA sample to the state’s DNA database.

That identified Timothy Bittrolff has a “partial match” in the murders of Mr. Tangredi and Ms. McNamee, meaning that the killer was related. Police then followed members of the Bittrolff family looking for items with DNA that matched what was found at the two murder scenes. They finally found a cup with John Bittrolff’s DNA on it, leading to his arrest on July 21, 2014 on two counts of second degree murder.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Biancavilla said he felt a letter Mr. Bittrolff sent from jail to a friend showed his lack of remorse.

The letter read, “They can’t prove anything. They’ve got nothing,” according to Mr. Biancavilla.

“He relished in the fact that his victim’s had evidence of more than one sexual encounter,” Mr. Biancavilla said. “That’s why he chose these girls. He chose them because they were victims and were vulnerable, and he chose them because he thought that no one would care enough to bring him to justice.”

Mr. Biancavilla said outside court that he believes Mr. Bittrolff may have killed other women. He said he was prepared to present evidence provided to his office of Mr. Bittrolff brutalizing animals, but the judge would not allow it.

In one case, Mr. Biancavilla said, Mr. Bittrolff wrestled a pig and then slit its throat and let it bleed to death, while in another, he killed a deer and then removed the heart and ate it raw in front of people he was hunting with, Mr. Bittrolff said.

“He’s got a long history of brutality and disregard for life,” Mr. Biancavilla said.

tgannon@timesreview.com

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Update: Riverhead Town police arrested a teenager in connection with a stabbing reported Wednesday afternoon.

Troyshawn Burgess, 16, of Riverhead was charged with second-degree assault, a felony, police said. He was also charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, police said.

He was being held on $10,000 bail, police said.

Original Story: One person was found stabbed Wednesday afternoon behind an apartment complex in Riverhead, according to a police press release.

Police found the victim with “numerous stab wounds” around 4:45 p.m. near 821 E. Main St., officials said.

“The victim was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries,” the release states. No other details about the investigation were available.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Riverhead Town Police Department at 631-727-4500. All calls will remain confidential, officials said.

Image credit: Google Maps

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Two men were arrested Thursday night after they were caught stealing construction materials from a Calverton home, according to a police press release.

Police received a report around 7:35 p.m. that two people were removing items from a home under construction on Alfred Avenue, officials said.

Officers located Matthew Halliday, 22, of Manorville and Brian Schrang, 35, of Mount Sinai in a 1995 GMC Suburban that was “pulling a trailer with construction materials,” the report states.

They were charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, police said.

No other details about the investigation were available.

Photo: From left, Matthew Halliday and Brian Schrang. (Credit: Riverhead Town Police Department)

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A Riverhead man was arrested Friday by the East End Drug Task Force and charged with three counts of criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance, according to a press release.

Andre M. Coach, 41, of Riverhead was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, third degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance, third degree, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree.

The press release said “quantities of Fentanyl were recovered at the time of arrest.” The location of the investigation in the area of Riverhead Commons at 733 E. Main St. was the site of prior narcotic overdoes, recently, police said.

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