Southampton Town police arrested a 63-year-old Flanders man on drug possession charges Saturday.

Eddie Buckley was stopped on Old Quogue Road at approximately 5:13 p.m. when an officer found he was driving with a suspended license and a search revealed he was in possession of crack cocaine, reports said.

Mr. Buckley was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, both misdemeanors.

• Russel Jones, 63, of Riverside was arrested Saturday around 5 p.m. after police discovered he loaned his vehicle to a subject with a suspended driver’s license. He was charged with third-degree facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, officials said.

• Francisco Fernandez-Lopez, 26, of Riverside was arrested for drunken driving in Flanders Saturday just before 6 a.m. 

Reports said that he was stopped near Royal Avenue in Flanders after an officer observed him failing to maintain his lane of travel.

He told police he had two drinks approximately 30 minutes before the traffic stop, according to the police report, and was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated.

• A Flanders man was arrested for DWI after he allegedly left the scene of an accident around midnight Saturday.

Police said Edgar Cortezis Malej, 26, was driving a white pickup truck when he struck a fence at a residence and left the scene without reporting the incident.

He was located by police a short time later on Bell Avenue, where he was arrested and charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident.

• A Riverhead man was arrested for driving with a revoked license in Hampton Bays Sunday evening around 8:47 p.m.

Police reports said that Kyle Stoeckert, 36, was stopped for a traffic offense on Flanders Road near Bellows Pond Road when an officer discovered he had a suspended license and had an active warrant out of Riverhead. He was charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and turned over to Riverhead police custody.

• Dennis McDermott, 58, of Southold was arrested for driving with a suspended license in Northampton last Wednesday around 7:15 p.m.

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

• Southampton police arrested a Mattituck woman for driving with a suspended license in Riverside last Tuesday evening around 7 p.m.

According to a police report, Kathryn Gadzinski, 31, was charged with misdemeanor third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

• A Riverhead man was arrested on drug charges in Riverside last Monday.

Joe McKay, 46, was found to be in possession of more than 500 milligrams of cocaine on Old Quogue Road around 6:30 p.m., police said. He was charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony.

• Kevin Aguilar, 27, of Riverhead was arrested for driving with a revoked license in Noyac last Monday around 8:40 p.m.

He was charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, according to a police report.

• A Riverhead man was arrested last Monday around noon after police found he had failed to secure lumber on a trailer he was towing on Flanders Road in Riverside.

Rosio Hernandez, 44, was issued several violations and police said he had 40 pieces of 28-foot lumber that were secured with two nylon straps.

He was charged with failure to secure a shiftable load, a misdemeanor.

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 50-year-old Shoreham man died Sunday night after a motorcycle crash in Greenport, according to Southold Town police.

Jon Meeker was driving a 2001 Suzuki motorcycle eastbound on Route 25 just after 8 p.m. and attempted to pass a 2015 Jeep Cherokee on the right as it made a right onto Bailey Avenue, police said. Mr. Meeker was thrown from his motorcycle and collided with a utility pole, police said.

Mr. Meeker was transported to Eastern Long Island Hospital by members of the Greenport Fire Department where he died, police said.

The driver of the Cherokee, Jennifer Feldstein, 40, of New York was not injured. Two passengers were in the Cherokee and were also not injured. Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks, police said.

Southold police chief Martin Flatley said Monday afternoon that the detective investigating was still interviewing witnesses, including two other motorcyclists he was riding with.

A GoFundMe page was set up Monday afternoon for contributions toward Mr. Meeker’s family. Mr. Meeker is survived by his wife Kimberly, daughter Makayla, a senior at St. Joseph’s College, son Jake, a freshman at Pace University and daughter Ella, who’s in eighth grade at Shoreham-Wading River Middle School. Jake graduated Friday from Shoreham-Wading River High School.

The fatal crash comes just over two weeks after a Shoreham-Wading River High School senior died in a crash on Route 25A in Shoreham. Melissa Marchese was 18.

A second crash at nearly the same location occurred a week later when a motorcyclist was struck by a Dodge Challenger pulling out of a shopping center in Shoreham on Route 25A. The motorcyclist in that crash was airlifted with injuries that were not life threatening, according to Suffolk County police.

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Riverhead police are investigating the death of a man found dead in his car along County Road 105 Tuesday morning.

A passerby called police around 8:41 a.m. to report that a white mid-sized pickup truck had veered slightly into the woods in the northbound lane of County Road 105 just south of Route 25, according to a news release issued by Riverhead Town police.

First responders found the male unconscious and transported him to Peconic Bay Medical Center by Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps, where he was pronounced dead. His name has not yet been released.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to call the Riverhead Detective Division at 631-727-4500.

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Riverhead Town police are seeking the public’s help to locate a missing 17-year-old girl.

Camille Fuller left a residence on Sound Avenue near Osborn Avenue at approximately 11 p.m. Tuesday, police said. No foul play is suspected.

Camille is 5-foot-6, approximately 150 pounds with blue eyes and light brown hair, police said. Anyone with information on her location is asked to contact police at 631-727-4500.

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Mario Hernandez-Almaraz, 51, of Selden was arrested on Middle Country Road in Calverton Sunday morning for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, according to police reports. While on patrol, an officer noticed the driver of a brown 1997 Dodge pick-up truck driving on Middle Country Road, just east of Manor Road, was not wearing a seatbelt and had a defective rear taillight.

Upon further investigation, police found the driver, Mr. Hernandez-Almaraz, had a revoked license due to a DWI conviction in 2015. Under law, the driver was required to have an interlock device installed in the vehicle. Police reports said the device was not installed.

Mr. Hernandez-Almaraz was arrested at approximately 10:09 a.m. and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and failure to equip his vehicle with an interlock device, both misdemeanors.

He was transported to police headquarters to be processed and was later released on bail and given an appearance ticket for a later court date.

• A car crash that occurred outside the BP gas station on West Main Street in Riverhead Monday morning resulted in an arrest, police reports said.

Maurice Harris, 43, of Coram was arrested around midnight for driving while ability impaired by drugs.

Mr. Harris, operating a 2008 Ford SUV, was also charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, a felony, and driving without a license, a violation. The details of the crash are unclear and the Riverhead Police Department did not provide additional information on the incident.

• Police are investigating a report of petit larceny that occurred at the Speedway gas station on Route 25A in Wading River early Saturday morning, reports said.

A commercial alarm was set off around 1:15 a.m., reports said. When police arrived at the scene, the store was vacant, closed for the night and silent. Upon further investigation, police found the door on the west side of the property was unlocked. Inside the business, all appeared secure, reports said, with no visible signs of intrusion.

The store’s assistant manager then responded to check the premises and said he was sure he secured the door at 11:59 p.m. as part of lock-down requirements. The alarm company allegedly told police that an off-site security video revealed an individual entered the store, brought three 32-ounce bottles of Gatorade totaling $6 to the front counter as if to purchase them and seemed to realize no one was around in the building. The individual then left the property.

No on-site video access was immediately available, reports said. The assistant manager secured the premise and reset the alarm. Police are awaiting further information from Speedway.

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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Southampton police are investigating an attempted burglary at a Flanders residence that was reported Sunday around 9:40 p.m.

A woman called police to report that while she was babysitting the homeowner’s child, a male entered the house through the back door, went into a bedroom and began looking through the closets.

When confronted by the babysitter, the man fled the property on foot, reports said. No arrests have been made, according to officials.

• Police arrested a Mastic man for drug possession in Riverside Friday evening around 10:30 p.m.

According to a police report, an officer observed Mark Goode, 46, walking on Old Quogue Road while drinking an alcoholic beverage.

After being taken into custody, he was found to be in possession of marijuana and crack cocaine, reports said.

Mr. Goode was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor, and two violations, police said.

• A Riverhead man called police Saturday around 1 a.m. to report that at the Shell gas station on Lake Avenue in Riverside, an unknown subject stole a shopping bag that contained cash, clothing, spare keys, a cell phone and checkbook from the front passenger seat.

• Following a traffic stop on Peconic Avenue, Southampton Town police arrested Christopher Vantassle, 42, of Riverhead for driving with a revoked license around 1 a.m. Saturday.

Mr. Vantassle was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and his vehicle was impounded to police headquarters, 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 Riverhead man was injured after his motorcycle was struck in a three-vehicle collision on Moriches-Middle Island Road in Manorville Sunday afternoon, according to Suffolk police.

John Liebegott, 60, was airlifted to Stony Brook Universoty Hospital where he is being treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to a police press release.

Joseph Carpinella was operating a 2018 Ford Fusion eastbound on Moriches-Middle Island Road at approximately 12:30 p.m. when he failed to stop at a four-way stop sign and hit a 2012 Toyota SR5 being driven northbound on Weeks Avenue by Thomas Bisagni. The Ford spun in the intersection and struck a 2017 Harley Davidson being operated by Mr. Liebegott, heading westbound on Moriches-Middle Island Road.

Mr. Bisagni, 48, of Shirley and Mr. Carpinella, 79, of Ronkonkoma were not injured.

All three vehicles were impounded for safety checks and the investigation is ongoing. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.

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A Flanders man allegedly threw a kitten out of a moving vehicle, killing the animal, according to Southampton Town police. 

Hector Herrera Castillo, 43, was arrested last Thursday morning in Flanders after another motorist alerted police.

Around 8 a.m., police received a call about a vehicle driving east on Flanders Road near Spinney Road in Flanders, according to a press release. The caller reported that the driver tossed a kitten out of his moving vehicle.

Police located the vehicle shortly afterward and Mr. Castillo was then arrested. He was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony. Mr. Castillo was processed at police headquarters and held overnight for morning arraignment, according to the press release.

Southampton Town Police Lt. Susan Ralph said the kitten, which belonged to Mr. Castillo, died after the incident.  The reasons for his actions are unknown at this time.

Mr. Castillo posted $3,000 bail and is due back in Southampton Town Justice Court Thursday, July 11, at 9 a.m., a court official said Tuesday.

knalepinski@timesreview.com

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Update: Police said the missing teenager has been located.

Original post: Riverhead Town police are seeking the public’s help to locate a missing teenager.

Mackenzie Merkle, 15, left her Jean Court residence during the overnight hours of Wednesday, July 10, according to police. No foul play is currently suspected.

Mackenzie is 5-foot-7, approximately 107 pounds with blue eyes and straight blonde hair. Anyone with information is asked to contact Riverhead police at 631-727-4500.

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Riverhead Town police arrested Travaun Brumsey, 31, of Riverhead on drug charges last Wednesday evening.

He was stopped while walking on East Main Street toward East Avenue and found to be in possession of 10 wax envelopes containing heroin and two plastic bags containing crack cocaine, according to a police report.

Mr. Brumsey was charged with two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor, and turned over to Southampton Town police due to an active warrant, officials said.

• Sabrina Morales, age and residence unavailable, was arrested for driving drunk on Wading River Manor Road following a motor vehicle accident last Saturday around 11 a.m.

• Police arrested a 54-year-old Riverhead man who allegedly chased his nephew-in-law out of their Riverhead home with a knife Saturday just before 7 p.m.

Jose Carrasquillo, 54, was arrested and charged with second-degree menacing.

• Police responded to a vacant residence on Northville Turnpike last Thursday morning after the property owner reported that someone had broken the rear window and door handle and entered the home.

Nothing was taken from the vacant home, but officers recovered a leather jacket and a hammer and are also investigating 18th Street gang graffiti that was found in the rear of the home.

• Police responded to a domestic incident in Calverton around 4 a.m. last Wednesday.

A man reported that a woman threw a brick through his window. Police located the woman, his 37-year-old girlfriend, nearby bleeding from her hands and legs. She told police she threw the brick to get attention after being involved in a domestic incident with her boyfriend during which he placed a pillow over her face.

She was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment, police said, and no charges were filed.

• A Middle Island man was charged with second-degree burglary, a felony, and second-degree criminal contempt, a misdemeanor, after he was arrested on a warrant by Riverhead police last Tuesday around 10 a.m.

Reports said James Cooper, 30, was processed on those charges, arraigned and taken to the Suffolk County jail.

• A woman called police last Tuesday around noon to report that someone stole a bag of marijuana, a pipe and a beach pass valued at $80 from her Ford Taurus, which was locked and parked at Walmart.

• Police arrested Arthur Coone, 68, of Riverhead last Tuesday afternoon for driving with a suspended license.

He was charged with misdemeanor aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, according to officials.

• After he was arrested on an outstanding bench warrant last Tuesday, police charged Stanley Griffin Jr., 20, of Riverhead, with two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance for possessing a plastic bag with oxycodone pills and an unknown “white rock substance,” reports said.

• A man called police last Tuesday around 4:45 p.m. to report that after getting into a verbal dispute with another man in the Target parking lot over a parking space, he returned to his vehicle after shopping to find it had been keyed.

According to a police report, security footage does show the male suspect returning to the complainant’s vehicle, but no charges have been filed.

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 seeking the public’s help to locate a 75-year-old man who left a Hubbard Avenue home on foot Saturday has not been seen since.

Family members of Frank Rehm Jr. told police Saturday that he had left approximately seven hours earlier and he had not been seen or made any contact with the family since then. He was last seen in the area of Columbus Avenue at 1 p.m. by his employer, police said.

He may possibly be trying to make his way out of state, police said.

Anyone who may have seen him is asked to contact police at 631-727-4500, ext. 312.

Photo caption: Frank Rehm pictured approximately seven years ago.

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Justin Adamo of Flanders was arrested in Northampton Friday for criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to Southampton Town police.

Mr. Adamo, 34, allegedly sold heroin to a 27-year-old woman, which led to her death on Sept. 5, 2018, reports said. At the time of his arrest, police also found Mr. Adamo was in possession of a switchblade knife.

Mr. Adamo was arrested at the intersection of Quogue Riverhead Road and Westhampton Riverhead Road around 8 p.m. He was charged with two felonies for criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a controlled substance, and a misdemeanor for criminal possession of a weapon. Southampton Town Police Lieutenant Susan Ralph said additional charges may be pressed by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office but have not yet been pursued at this time.

• Edgar Gonzalez-Carias, 32, of Riverhead was arrested in Riverside early Sunday morning for driving while intoxicated, according to reports.

Mr. Gonzalez-Carias was stopped at the intersection of Cross River Drive and Flanders Road for multiple traffic infractions. Police found an odor of alcohol coming from Mr. Gonzalez-Carias’ breath. Mr. Gonzalez-Carias allegedly had red, bloodshot, glassy eyes and slurred speech. Police performed a sobriety test on Mr. Gonzalez-Carias and found he was intoxicated. A Breathalyzer test revealed he had a BAC of .18.

Mr. Gonzalez-Carias was arrested at 3:03 a.m. and charged with seven traffic violations and one count of DWI.

• Marvin Cordova-Garcia, 37, of Aquebogue was arrested in Aquebogue last Tuesday evening for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, police reports said.

Mr. Cordova-Garcia was stopped on West Main Street in Aquebogue around 9:30 p.m. for allegedly driving with broken tail lights, according to reports. Mr. Cordova-Garcia was found to be driving with a suspended license related to four other incidents.

He was charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and four additional equipment violations, police said.

• Walter Seymore, 33, of Brooklyn was arrested in Northampton last Monday for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, according to reports.

Mr. Seymore was allegedly driving northbound on Lake Avenue in Riverside with his rear license plate not properly attached to his vehicle, reports said. After conducting a vehicle and traffic stop, police detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Police reports said an unknown amount of marijuana was discovered within the vehicle’s glove compartment. Further investigation revealed Mr. Seymore was driving with a suspended license.

Mr. Seymore was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation.

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 arraigned on a 10-count indictment today for alleged drug sales, including heroin and fentanyl that led to the overdose death of a 27-year-old East Quogue woman last year. 

Justin Adamo, 34, was charged with three counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and five counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, both class B felonies, one count of fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony, three counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, both class A misdemeanors.

If convicted of the top count, he could face a maximum sentence of up to nine years in prison, officials said.

Prosecutors charge that on Sept. 5, 2018, Southampton Town police responded to the scene of a fatal overdose in East Quogue, caused by a mix of heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone and cocaine.

The victim’s cell phone records showed text messages from a contact called “Tone,” indicating he had heroin for purchase and an address where the sale could occur.

Further investigation revealed the number belonged to Mr. Adamo, and the directions provided were to his residence in Flanders. A collaborative investigation between Southampton police and the District Attorney’s office showed Mr. Adamo would allegedly travel to Queens to pick up narcotics he sold in Suffolk County.

Mr. Adamo was arrested by Southampton Town police Feb. 17, after they found packaged heroin and cocaine stamped with the name “Top Gun” in his vehicle during a traffic stop on Sunrise Highway in East Quogue.

Then, on March 31, officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle Mr. Adamo was a passenger in. He was found to be in possession of a bag of heroin, this time stamped with the name “Hall Pass,” prosecutors said.

They also found evidence of an alleged drug sale on March 25.

Pursuant to the investigation, Mr. Adamo was arrested July 6 on various drug charges and also found to be in possession of a switchblade knife. During a court appearance Friday, Suffolk County Court Judge Karen M. Wilutis ordered Mr. Adamo be held without bail, pending a bail application by his lawyer. He is due back in court July 23.

“The combination of heroin and fentanyl is highly lethal, and the drug dealers profiting from this poison are well aware of that,” Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini said in a press release, calling for stronger legislation in response to selling drugs.

Overall in 2018, there was a decline in Suffolk County opioid-related deaths. “But the fight against this epidemic is far from over,” Mr. Sini said, adding that he would continue working with law enforcement to prosecute drug dealers.

In a statement Friday, Southampton Town Police Chief Steven Skrynecki said this case is another example of the “deadly consequences” of opioid use. “The Southampton Town Police Department, working with the Suffolk County DA’s office and our East End Partners, will not rest until we rid our communities of those who demonstrate a complete disregard for the law and human life itself by promoting and profiting from the sale of these deadly substances,” he said.

tsmith@timesreview.com

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Elmer Pirir, 24, of Flanders was arrested Sunday evening in Aquebogue for reckless driving, reports said.

Around 11:30 p.m., police observed a 1995 Toyota sedan driving southbound in the northbound lane of Cross River Drive, reports said. An officer on duty had to swerve off the roadway and onto the shoulder to avoid a head-on collision with the driver, Mr. Pirir.

Police followed the vehicle southbound and observed Mr. Pirir drive through a red light at the intersection of Main Road and Cross River Drive. Mr. Pirir was pulled over near the intersection, reports said.

He was arrested and charged with reckless driving, a misdemeanor, and three violations: driving without a license, disobeying a one-way sign and disobeying a traffic signal. He was taken into custody, transported to Riverhead police headquarters for processing, issued four summons and released.

• Paul Castelli, 47, of Shirley was arrested Monday evening and charged with grand larceny for an incident that occurred in Riverhead earlier this year, reports said.

Mr. Castelli allegedly stole over $1,000 worth of electrical wiring from Lowes Home Improvement store in Riverhead Jan. 28, police reports said.

Mr. Castelli was arrested, charged with grand larceny, a felony, processed and released. He is expected to appear in court Monday, Aug. 12.

• An East Hampton woman was arrested Friday after stealing from the Riverhead Target, reports said.

Norma Egma-Morales, 40, allegedly changed the price tag on a children’s toy for a value less than advertised. Then, around 4 p.m., Ms. Egma-Morales paid for the mislabeled item originally valued at $87.

She was located by police and placed under arrest for petit larceny, a misdemeanor. She was transported to police headquarters and released on $200 cash bail.

• Police are investigating a report of grand larceny that occurred Friday afternoon at the Loft Outlet at 1770 West Main St. in Riverhead, reports said.

An individual working at the store contacted police around 2:24 p.m. and said that between 12:54 p.m. and 1:04 p.m., an unknown person removed roughly $2,200 in assorted clothing.

An investigation is expected to continue. No suspect has been found, but would be charged with grand larceny, a felony.

• Police are investigating two separate theft incidents that occurred at Splish Splash Water Park in Calverton Saturday, reports said.

Both incidents occurred in succession around 7 p.m. In the first report, an individual stated that while she was on the rides an unknown individual removed her red wallet from inside a backpack that was stored inside a cubby at the park. The wallet contained $100 cash, her driver’s license and an Ecuadorian ID, reports said.

The second report, which reached police seven minutes later, states an unknown individual removed a man’s Bank of America debit card from a backpack that was also inside a storage cubby at the park. The man said the card was used to make two $40 purchases at Roanoke Plaza Liquors on County Road 58 in Riverhead.

It’s unclear if the two incidents are linked.

A suspect has not been found, but would be charged with grand larceny, a felony, and petit larceny, a misdemeanor.

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 are investigating the death of a man involved in a single-vehicle crash on Sound Avenue in Baiting Hollow Friday night, Riverhead Town police said.

The male driver, who police have not yet identified, was pronounced dead at Peconic Bay Medical Center shortly after crashing his mid-sized SUV around 9:30 p.m. The man had been found unconscious following a 911 call that his vehicle had struck a pole in the westbound lane just east of Fresh Pond Avenue.

A female passenger was taken to PBMC for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The incident is still under investigation and anyone who may have witnessed it is asked to call Riverhead detectives at 631-727-4500.

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Southampton Town police arrested a 23-year-old Calverton man on drug charges after he was found urinating in public at Beach Bar in Hampton Bays early Saturday morning. 

Police said Charles Cali was also in possession of marijuana and cocaine, and had a local warrant for failing to appear in court.

Mr. Cali was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, along with several violations, according to a report.

• A Flanders man was arrested for driving with a revoked license in Hampton Bays Friday around 9 a.m.

According to police, Rafael Mendez-Vasquez was stopped for a traffic violation on Montauk Highway and allegedly gave a false name to prevent officers from discovering his license had been revoked.

He was charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and false personation, both misdemeanors.

• Police arrested a Riverhead man who was caught driving with a suspended license in Riverside Sunday evening just before 11 p.m.

Nestor Hernandez, 22, was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and was released with a ticket, reports said.

• A Riverhead man was arrested for driving with a suspended license in Northampton last Thursday.

Police said Christopher Martinelli, 45, was not authorized to drive due to a previous driving while intoxicated conviction. He was charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor.

• Police responded to a Riverside home last Thursday after a woman reported a man requesting to enter the home.

The man, Alexander Mortimer, fled the area but was later located and arrested for violating an order of protection.

The 51-year-old was charged with third-degree criminal trespassing and second-degree criminal contempt, both misdemeanors, according to officials.

• Vidal Samayoa, 47, of Riverhead was arrested for driving with a suspended license in Flanders last Thursday evening.

During a traffic stop on Flanders Road around 10 p.m., police discovered Mr. Samayoa was driving with a suspended license and without a court-ordered interlock device.

He was charged with two misdemeanors: second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and circumventing an interlock device.

• Ivan Pendleton, 57, of Flanders was arrested and charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in Northampton last Wednesday around 10 p.m.

He was released on an appearance ticket, officials said.

• Police responded to a dispute over money at a Riverside home last Monday around 1:35 a.m.

The victim, a Riverhead man, reported that he got into a dispute with a friend over missing money that became physical.

According to an incident report, the friend forcibly removed $3 from the caller during the altercation after hitting and pushing the victim.

No charges were filed in relation to the incident.

• New York State police arrested Jose Izaguirre, 45, of Calverton for driving drunk in Flanders July 7.

Officials said he was stopped around 5:15 a.m. for a traffic violation when he was found to be intoxicated. He was charged with DWI.

• A Flanders man was arrested for driving drunk by state police on July 4.

Raul Pineda, 39, of Flanders allegedly had a blood alcohol content of .31%, according to reports. He was charged with felony DWI, 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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Southampton Town police arrested a Riverhead man Friday night after he was found breaking into a home in North Sea, police said in a press release.

Edin Vargas, 19, of Riverhead also physically resisted arrest after he was found inside the home committing a burglary in the North Sea Beach Colony shortly after 9 p.m. Friday.

Police had been responding to a vandalism call at a neighboring residence, where they found nearly every exterior window of the unoccupied house had been damaged and even more damage was caused inside the building. Mr. Vargas was responsible for that damage as well, police said.

He was charged with two felony counts of second-degree burglary, a felony count of criminal mischief and resisting arrest.

He was ultimately transported to police headquarters where he was processed and held for an arraignment.

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Despite the extreme heat, fire departments from across Suffolk County visited Riverhead Saturday for the annual drill competition hosted by the Riverhead Fire Department’s Ironmen Drill Team.

The event features competition in various fire service-related skills events.

Photographer Bill Landon captured the action.

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A Riverhead man who police said threatened to set fire to a Hampton Bays bank is now facing a felony charge of making a terroristic threat.

John Hudson, 55, of Riverhead made the threat during a call to the TD Bank Central Call Center, stating he would set fire to the TD Bank branch on Montauk Highway, according to a police press release.

Shortly after being notified of the threat by call center employees, bank staffers began locking the doors to the branch before noticing Mr. Hudson was in the building.

Southampton Town police were then notified and they arrested him upon arrival to the bank. Police said they found two legally owned rifles and ammunition in Mr. Hudson’s vehicle.

He was scheduled to be arraigned at Southampton Town Justice Court Thursday morning.

Photo caption: A mugshot of John Hudson courtesy of Southampton Town Police. 

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They call themselves El1te Society, a group of car enthusiasts known for driving flashy supercars around New York City.

On Sundays, the group gathers at undisclosed locations before riding together on road trips to areas outside of the city on expeditions they refer to as El1te Society car runs.

Social media posts give a glimpse into how these events work. Typically an Instagram user with the handle @mpireboyz_ceo posts a photo several days before the run indicating the group’s destination that week, how many spots are available and a meetup time. Those interested are instructed to send a direct message to the organizer for more details.

For the group’s latest run, this past Sunday, July 21, @mpireboyz_ceo informed followers they’d be starting their day at 7 a.m. Their destination: Shelter Island.

“We taking our Exotic Cars on the Ferry and will be taking some dope photos,” @mpireboyz_ceo wrote in an Instagram post shared Saturday. “SO GET READY!!”

Mpireboyz is a self-described international car club “aiming to unify car enthusiasts from all around the world,” according to its website.

Unlike previous trips, where photos and videos flooded social media with el1te hashtags and mpireboyz mentions, very little was posted Sunday by the social media accounts which typically share the thrilling events of the day. Past posts show high-speed luxury vehicles — Ferraris, McLarens, Porsches — glamming their way through nearby cities in Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

In the days since Sunday’s run to the East End, what little social media posts did exist of the run have slowly disappeared, having been deleted off pages or, as in the case of @mpireboyz_ceo, lost to a deactivated Instagram account.

What remains is a murky puzzle with pieces that could provide the answer to a looming question since Sunday — who was driving when a police officer witnessed a group of sports cars line up along Route 48 in Peconic before two of them burst to speeds in excess of 130 miles per hour, setting off a wild chain of events that culminated in the two expensive automobiles found abandoned near a popular tourist destination in Mattituck.

The racing incident, which one witness described as “something out of a movie” and another wrote on social media “scared the @&$ out of [him],” began shortly after 1:30 p.m.

The two lead vehicles, a blue 2017 McLaren with the license plate “EL1TE” and a red 2016 Ferrari, sped through at least two red lights at speeds of more than 80 miles per hour, according to Southold Town police. At the Wickham Avenue intersection, they drove past a police officer who had stopped north and southbound traffic.

Branding on the two vehicles, which remain at Southold Town police headquarters, suggest the involvement of El1te Society and mpireboyz members. The McLaren featured not only the EL1TE personalized plate, but both cars had mpireboyz license plate frames. Mpireboyz Inc. is a corporation registered to Gaston Castro of Flushing, Queens, according to a listing with the New York Department of State. Mr. Castro did not return a telephone message seeking comment.

The @mpireboyz_ceo Instagram account was deactivated Monday, one day after the speeding incident and hours after a reporter from The Suffolk Times attempted to interact with the private account.

A cached image from the page published Saturday and still visible through a Google search, shows the blue McLaren, its EL1TE license plate visible, with the caption “TAMO READY FOR TOMORROWS CAR RUNS #supercarsunday #el1tesociety #el1te #thewinningteam.” At least three other posts on the account promoted Sunday’s run to Shelter Island.

A public Instagram user, @eliteboy_,shared a photo Sunday of a man standing in front of a Porsche onboard the South Ferry from North Sea to Shelter Island. Minutes after a reporter attempted to reach Emmanuel Diaz, the name publicly displayed on the account, by phone Wednesday, the photo was deleted along with other car images on the page. The account was then made private later that same day. Another Instagram account frequently tagged in El1te Society posts, @el1te.society, was also deactivated this week.

Southold Town police chief Martin Flatley said Thursday that investigators are looking into the El1te Society and mpireboyz club’s possible involvement in Sunday’s incident.

“Obviously part of our investigation is attempting to trace where the group was prior to this incident and we have also received feedback from people in the community that saw them at various places,” Chief Flatley wrote in an email. “We do know that they were on Shelter Island and made a stop at Claudio’s in Greenport and we have searched for video from various locations along the route, as well as social media posts.”

The car enthusiasts’ trip to the East End was captured on a video story posted on the Claudio’s Instagram account. The video showed several sports cars, including a blue McLaren and red Ferrari driving in front of the well known Greenport restaurant, and included the tag @mpireboyz.

The website elitesocial.nyc, which promotes luxury lifestyle events and includes photos of a blue McLaren and red Ferrari at some of those meet-ups, removed all of its listings under luxury rentals this week. A cached version of the site from July 18, visible through a Google search, shows a red Ferrari listed among the rental items, though it is unclear if it’s the same vehicle in Sunday’s incident.

This is not the first time this type of activity has attracted attention from law enforcement.

Derlin Colon of Flushing is also frequently tagged in Instagram posts along with different El1te Society and mpireboyz handles at his handle @mr_tci. Reached by telephone Thursday, Mr. Colon denied being a member of El1te Society.

“I know guys there, but I’m not a part of it,” he said.

He said he heard about Sunday’s ride to Shelter Island and the North Fork, but wasn’t there.

“I’m on vacation,” he said.

Online records show Mr. Colon had an appearance in Queens Criminal Court Tuesday in relation to a 2016 crash on Grand Central Parkway. Last September, he was named as one of two defendants in a 66-count indictment stemming from the incident, including a top charge of first-degree felony assault. In a criminal complaint, a peace officer with the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority said he used a measuring device to observe Mr. Colon and a co-defendant driving 150 mph in a 40 mph zone moments before they were involved in a five-vehicle collision near the Triborough Bridge.

Mr. Colon’s attorney, Oliver Storch of Manhattan, vehemently denied that Mr. Colon attended the Shelter Island ride. He also noted that the criminal charges arising from the 2016 crash were only allegations and that the case is still ongoing.

Chief Flatley said that while his department’s investigation into Sunday’s incident is progressing, no arrests have been made. The names of the registrants of the two abandoned vehicles were redacted from the incident report released by police. The chief declined to comment on that aspect of the investigation.

Top Caption: The blue McLaren at the Southold Town police impound lot Wednesday afternoon. (Credit: Mahreen Khan)

gparpan@timesreview.com

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