65-Year-Old Man Dies After Being Assaulted And Vehicle Stolen

Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death of a man who was assaulted and had his vehicle stolen in Deer Park last week.

Donald Klune was sitting in his 2009 Mitsubishi on Brook Avenue when he was approached by at least one person and removed from his vehicle, punched and kicked at approximately 8:35 p.m. on December 11. The suspect or suspects fled the scene in Klune’s vehicle.

Klune, 65, of Deer Park, was transported to a local hospital where he died on December 13. Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or

Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

Suffolk County Police Warn Residents Of Phone Scam

Suffolk County Police Warn Residents of Phone Scam

The Suffolk County Police Department is warning the public about a scam during which callers purport to be from a law enforcement agency and claim there is a warrant for the victim’s arrest if money is not sent.

Detectives have been made aware of at least three incidents during which a resident was contacted by phone by a caller identifying themselves as a member of the Suffolk County Police Department who says the resident has a warrant for their arrest and for them to send money. Detectives are not aware of any victims who have given money.

The victims report the scammers called from what appeared to be legitimate police department phone numbers. Scammers often use spoofing apps and other technology to falsely represent the numbers they are calling from.

Police will NEVER demand money in lieu of arrest or consequence.

If you believe you have been the victim of this or any other scam, contact police.

Police Asking Public To Identify Driver Involved In 2022 Hit-And-Run Fatality

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Major Case Unit detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the driver who fled the scene after killing a pedestrian in Ronkonkoma. Robert Twiford, pictured at left, parked his vehicle on the off ramp of eastbound Long Island Expressway at exit 60, exited the vehicle, and, while in the lane of travel, was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene on December 5, 2022 at approximately 8 p.m. A short time later, the driver of the fleeing vehicle stopped on Garrity Avenue in Ronkonkoma and exited his vehicle, which is described as a light-colored, possibly gray, 2015 to 2018 Ford Focus hatchback, and examined it with a flashlight.

Twiford, 61, of Melville, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

For video of the incident, visit www.youtube.com/SCPDTV Click on Wanted for Ronkonkoma Leaving the Scene 22-709531

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

Police Looking For Men Who Harassed A Driver And Damaged Vehicle In Commack

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the men who harassed a victim and damaged his vehicle in Commack this month.

Two men started screaming and yelling at a man while he was driving away from a parking lot, located at 85 Crooked Hill Road, on November 20 at approximately 8 p.m. The subjects followed the victim onto Crooked Hill Commons when they ran up to his vehicle, punched the man and smashed the driver’s side rear window.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

Stabbing Incident At Smith Haven Mall

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a stabbing that injured a teenager last night in Lake Grove.

A 16-year-old male was stabbed when he attempted to intervene in a dispute between a small group of people on the sidewalk outside of the food court at the Smith Haven Mall, located at 1 Smith Haven Mall, at approximately 7:55 p.m.

The stabbing victim was transported to a local hospital in stable condition for treatment of non-life- threatening injuries. Another 16-year-old male was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries sustained during the altercation.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS.

Man Stabbed By Co-Worker At Nesconset Business

Suffolk County Police today arrested a man for stabbing his co-worker at a Nesconset business this morning.

Paul Albinagorta was involved in a dispute with his 60-year-old co-worker at Gino’s of Nesconset, located at 248 Smithtown Blvd., when he stabbed the man with a knife at approximately 11:10 a.m. The victim left the store on foot and was aided outside before being transported via ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Albinagorta, 34, of Central Islip, was not injured. He was charged with Assault 1st Degree, a felony, and Menacing 2nd Degree, a misdemeanor. He is being held overnight and will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on November 25.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Fourth Squad detectives at 631-854-8452.

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

Police Shut Down Attempted Street Takeover In Ronkonkoma

The Suffolk County Police Street Takeover Task shut down an attempted street takeover last night in Ronkonkoma.

Over 40 vehicles were involved in a street takeover in the parking lot of the Ronkonkoma Long Island Railroad station. Two pick-up trucks were doing donuts around other vehicles and bystanders at approximately 10:15 p.m.

The Street Takeover Task Force as well as Criminal Intelligence officers from all seven Suffolk County Police Department precincts descended on the parking lot blocking all exits. The driver of one of the pick- up trucks, Michael Watson, 19, of Ronkonkoma, was cited for Performing a Side Show and Engaging in Stunt Behavior. He was also issued three additional traffic tickets. His 2002 Dodge Ram was impounded.

Jason Merino, 24, of 6 Jenny Path, Medford, was arrested and charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 1st Degree under Angelica’s Law for driving with 35 suspensions on 9 dates. He will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip at a later date. His vehicle, a 2006 Honda sedan was impounded.

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

Two Men Arrested In Connection With Street Takeover

Suffolk County Police have arrested two people in connection with a street takeover during which an officer was assaulted and dragged by a vehicle in Islip on November 3. While responding to multiple 911 calls regarding vehicles blocking traffic, a Third Precinct officer was involved in a motor vehicle crash, striking a pole while attempting to avoid a person in the roadway, on westbound Sunrise Service Road, near Commack Road, in Islip at approximately 1 a.m. on November 3.

The officer exited his vehicle and walked to the front of the crowd when he observed a black Ford Mustang driving recklessly. The officer was able to get the driver to stop. Several people came up behind the officer and started punching him. While the officer was holding on to the door of the Ford Mustang, the driver fled, dragging the officer.

The Ford Mustang was then involved in a motor vehicle crash with another vehicle at Commack Road and Wallace Street. The driver of the Ford fled the scene on foot.

Following an investigation by Third Squad detectives, the driver of the Ford Mustang, Dennis Kaprov, 21, of Brooklyn, was arrested today and charged with Assault 2nd Degree, Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree, Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Unlawful Speed Contests, Sideshows & Races. He will be held overnight at the Third Precinct and will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on November 8.

Following an investigation by Third Precinct Crime Section, officers identified an additional participant of the street takeover after his abandoned vehicle, a Chrysler 300M with a Hellcat emblem, was located.

Jordy Yanzaguano, 20, of Westbury, was arrested on November 6 and charged with Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree and Unlawful Speed Contests, Sideshows & Races for preforming maneuvers, known as donuts, in the middle of an intersection with spectators nearby during the November 3 takeover. Yanzaguano was issued a Desk Appearance Ticket and will be arraigned at a later date.The officer who was assaulted and dragged was treated at and released from a local hospital.

Third Squad detectives have received assistance from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, U.S. Marshal’s Task Force, Third Precinct Crime Section, Suffolk County Police Criminal Intelligence Bureau and Crime Analysis Center analysts.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Third Squad at 631-854- 8352 or Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

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