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 2nd 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