Smithtown Man Arrested For Damaging A Cell Tower Under Construction

Suffolk County Police today arrested a Smithtown man after an investigation revealed he had damaged a cell tower that was being built in Nesconset.

On November 28 at approximately 8 a.m., police were called to the Smithtown Highway Department, located at 758 Nesconset Highway, after workers at the site reported that someone had cut the feeder cables to the 210-foot tower sometime between 11 p.m. on November 23 and 6 a.m. on November 28. Metro PCS is constructing the tower on Smithtown Highway Department property. Representatives from the company told police the damage would cost more than $100,000 to repair.

Following an investigation by Fourth Squad detectives, using evidence recovered at the scene, police today arrested Ronald Derisi, 67, Smithtown, and charged him with Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree and Tampering 1st Degree.

Derisi was issued an appearance ticket and will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip at a future date.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.