Police Arrest Man Accused Of Damaging 19 Red Light Cameras

Stephen RuthSuffolk County Police have arrested a Centereach man for damaging 19 red light cameras throughout Suffolk County.

Between April 9 and April 10, Stephen Ruth cut wires and manipulated equipment on 18 red light cameras within the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Precincts. Ruth also cut down a red light camera pole at County Road 83 and Old Town Road in Coram on January 18. 

Preliminary estimates put the damage at a cost of a minimum of $25,000 with additional cost evaluation to be completed.

Major Case Unit detectives charged Ruth, 43, with two counts of Criminal Mischief 2^nd Degree, a Class D Felony. Ruth was held overnight and scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court on April 12.

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

 Timothy D. Sini, Police Commissioner  16-60164, et al.Suffolk County Police Department  KM/1215