Four DWI arrests, including two relating to accidents, top the Shelter Island police blotter for August 15 through 21.
During Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) traffic safety checks on Saturday, August 20, SIPD arrested two men and charged each with one count of DWI and one count of operating a motor vehicle with 0.08 percent blood alcohol content (BAC).
Derek Joseph Mayer, 26, of Shoreham, and Mitchell Paul Kornhaber, 37, of Port Washington, were processed and held at SIPD headquarters prior to arraignment at Shelter Island Justice Court, where they were released on their own recognizance.
Following crashes on Sunday, August 21, SIPD arrested two drivers and charged each with one count of DWI and one count of operating a motor vehicle with 0.08 percent BAC, and ticketed both for moving from a lane unsafely.
At 8:05 PM, SIPD says Mohamed Adil El Batji, 49, of New York, NY, left a Heights roadway and crashed into a utility pole, snapping it and causing wires to come down. At 11:46 PM, SIPD says Neal E. Segal, 51, of Shelter Island drove off South Menantic Road, landing in water.
Both were processed and held overnight at SIPD HQ, and then arraigned in Shelter Island Justice Court, where they were released on their own recognizance.
Note: This post is based on information provided by the Shelter Island Police Department. Those named have not been convicted of a crime, and charges against them may be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found not guilty.
Other accidents
On Thursday, August 18 around 10:23 PM, Hing-Tack Chen of Fresh Meadows said he was moving his vehicle from a Grand Avenue parking space when a dashboard light alerted him to a problem. The responding officer found the front wheels misaligned with damage to the front passenger-side tire rim possibly caused when the driver hit the curb entering or exiting the space. Damage was estimated over $1,000.
Casey E. Cruetz of Pelham was driving northbound on North Cartwright Avenue around 8:18 PM on Saturday, August 20 when, at a high rate of speed, she lost control and hit a rock. The vehicle overturned onto the property at 78 N. Cartwright, with the driver and passenger reporting minor injuries.
They were treated on the scene by a Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services team (SIEMS). Damage was estimated over $1,000. Cruetz was ticketed for moving from lane unsafely, unregistered motor vehicle, operating out of class, speed not reasonable and prudent, and consumption/alcohol in a motor vehicle.
Traffic stops
SIPD stopped and ticketed drivers as follows on:
- Monday, August 15
- on South Ferry Road
- Nicholas J. Lippis of Chatham, MA at 8:35 AM for operating a vehicle while using a portable electronic device
- Kelly A. Montalbano of Port Jefferson at 9:05 AM for an uninspected vehicle
- William C. Riccio of Cape May at 9:37 AM for operating a vehicle while using a mobile phone
- James V. Casale of East Hampton at 4:38 PM for operating a vehicle while using a portable electronic device
- on South Ferry Road
- Tuesday, August 16
- Jose E. DaSilva of Naples, FL at 8:26 AM on North Ferry Road for operating a vehicle while using a portable electronic device
- Cristo A. Buendia Martinez of Huntington Station at 4:31 PM on Manwaring Road for failure to stop at a stop sign
- Wednesday, August 17
- on North Ferry Road
- Chytanya P. Rangaiah of Scarsdale at 8:06 AM for failure to keep right
- Andrea B. Mangan of Floral Park at 10:10 AM for failure to keep right
- Stanley W. Church of Shelter Island at 11:05 AM for improper/unsafe turn without signaling
- on Smith Street, Henry L. Munoz Santos of Greenport at 12:56 PM for failure to cover loose cargo
- on North Ferry Road
- Friday, August 19
- Alan J. Vitale of St. James at 10:56 AM on St. Mary’s Road for failure to stop at a stop sign
- Julia R. Rongo of Lincroft, NJ at 11:11 AM on Manwaring Road for failure to stop at a stop sign
- Saturday, August 20
- Robert E. Kraft of Cold Spring Harbor at 11:22 AM on West Neck Road for operating a vehicle while using a portable electronic device
- Alvarez H. Marcelino DeJesus of Shelter Island at 3:57 PM on Manhanset Road for an uninspected vehicle, unlicensed operator and no seat belt
- Adithya Jayarman of Brooklyn at 7:52 PM on Manwaring Road for failure to stop at a stop sign
- Sunday, August 21
- Jennifer Y. Lupo of Shelter Island at 2:03 PM on New York Avenue for insufficient turn signal/less than 100 feet, and speeding 45 miles per hour in a 25-mph zone
- Steven J. Hirsch of Jericho at 2:20 PM on New York Avenue for speeding 39-mph in a 25-mph zone
After issuing numerous verbal warnings, SIPD ticketed Mehmet Cevher of Ronkonkoma on Sunday, August 21 at 4:18 PM for operating a Mister Softee ice cream truck on Town Property without a valid Town permit. The ice cream vendor said he’d applied but hadn’t yet gotten approval; the officer told him he cannot sell on Town Property until the permit is approved.
Offices issued 34 warnings to drivers and three to cyclists and wrote 37 parking tickets.
Marine incidents
Bay constables issued summonses as follows:
- On Saturday, August 20
- Michael D. Arnone of Mantoloking, NJ at 12:31 PM off South Ferry for operating an unregistered vessel
- Keegan M. Guyer of Sag Harbor at 2 PM off Crescent Beach for a child under 12 no wearing a personal flotation device (PFD), and having no PFDs aboard
- On Sunday, August 21
- Joanna W. Grover of Miami Beach at 2:16 PM off Shell Beach for failure to display a registration sticker
- Spencer B. Chemtob of East Hampton at 4:02 PM off Crescent Beach for operating within 100 feet of an anchored vessel at a speed greater than 5 mph, and operating an unregistered vessel
Bay constables issued four warnings to boaters.
Detailed police blotter for August 15 through 21
Monday, August 15
Around midnight, a Dering Harbor caller reported unusual lights near her dock; they turned out to be from a mooring barge under tow to a new location. Also in the wee hours, SIPD assisted Southampton PD in tracing an open 911 call and fielded a non-emergency call.
An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Heights and issued one verbal warning. A caller requested a well-being check; SIPD found the person had died in the home. A Town employee requested assistance contacting a boat owner who’d left a vessel on Town property at Lord’s Lane; the owner agreed to move the boat.
A Silver Beach caller reported a vehicle conducting business on Shell Beach without a permit, SIPD said the truck owner was advised of permit requirements. A Center caller reported that a neighbor’s dog had been on his property for a half-hour barking and scaring him and his smaller dog; the animal control officer (ACO) notified the dog owner of the complaint.
A Heights caller reported a dog at large; the responding ACO couldn’t find the dog. A caller reported receiving a spam call. An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Heights and observed no violations.
A Center caller reported a dog at large; the ACO recognized the dog from the caller’s description, but was unable to locate it or its owner. A Center caller requested SIPD surveillance.
Tuesday, August 16
Around 4:43 PM, a service provider notified SIPD of an emergency locator transmitter activation possibly coming from Westmoreland Airfield. An officer checked that field and Klenawicus Airfield with negative results. Turns out, the Coast Guard reported an accidental emergency position-indicating radio beacon in Gardiners Bay.
An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Heights and issue one ticket and three warnings. A marine unit assisted East Hampton Marine Patrol in checking a report of possible stranding at the Ruins. A caller reported being locked out by a roommate.
A Center caller reported that an employee had not returned to the residence as expected; SIPD responded, but the homeowner had located the person. A Shorewood caller reported a tree limb resting on electrical wires; SIPD notified PSEG for repairs.
A caller reported losing license plates. SIPD assisted a driver locked out of a vehicle. Around 10:43 PM, an officer on patrol spotted two young people walking behind the Center Firehouse; they left the property without incident.
Officers completed third-quarter rifle qualification at the training range in Westhampton. An officer escorted a person having trouble with a bicycle to the North Ferry terminal.
Wednesday, August 17
A PSEG bucket truck became disabled in the Menantic area. A West Neck caller reported an injured rabbit; the responding ACO took it to a wildlife rehabilatator. A Menantic caller reported finding a bicycle. A person stopped at SIPD HQ to ask how best to handle harassing behavior.
A Silver Beach caller reported a dog at large; the responding ACO contacted the owner who retrieved the dog. Officers assisted with North Ferry traffic that backed up in the Heights around 5:18 PM. An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Menantic area and observed no violations.
Thursday, August 18
An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Heights and observed no violations. An officer issued a verbal warning to three young cyclists for riding more than two abreast.
An ACO patrolling Town Beaches to enforce the seasonal ban on dogs — leashed or otherwise — found one dog without its owner on Crescent Beach. A caller reported the same dog at large in Shorewood; it eventually made it home.
A Center caller reported being disturbed by parking at a frequently rented property. A Town employee working with a weedwhacker send a pebble airborne that hit the window of a parked vehicle causing less than $1,000 in damage.
A bay constable assisted operators of an overturned sailboat in Orient Harbor. Around 5:43 PM, officers assisted with North Ferry traffic that backed up in the Heights. An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Heights and observed no violations before responding to an aided case.
SIEMS transported an aided case to Stony Brook/Eastern Long Island Hospital (SB/ELIH).
Friday, August 19
SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH. SIPD traced a 911 hangup call to a West Neck caller who accidentally dialed the number on her smartwatch. A Ram Island caller reported low-hanging wires; the responding officer found it was an Optimum cable wire, taped it out of harm’s way, and contacted the company for repairs.
A Center caller reported a dog at large; the responding ACO couldn’t find it. A Ram Island caller reported a vessel had sunk at an illegal mooring. A Hay Beach caller complained that people don’t pick up after their dogs; the responding ACO said while that’s unsanitary, there’s no Town poop-scoop ordinance.
SIPD was investigating a possible financial crime. A HiLo caller complained about a car parked on a roadside; the responding officer found it was parked legally and wasn’t creating a traffic hazard. SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH.
An ACO patrolling Town Beaches observed one service dog with its owner at Wades Beach. SIPD returned a bicycle to its owner. A caller reported an unknown vessel tied to his Ram Island dock, but then called back to say it had permission to be there.
A Center caller reported that someone teaching a child to ride a bicycle was causing a traffic hazard; the responding officer canvassed the area with negative results. SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH. An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Center.
A Heights caller reported observing a minor motor vehicle accident in the Heights, but then called back to say no police response was required.
Saturday, August 20
Just after midnight, a Heights caller reported loud music; the responding officer canvassed the area and couldn’t locate it. At 4 AM, SIEMS transported an aided case to Klenawicus Airfield for medevac by Suffolk County PD helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital.
A Hay Beach caller complained about the early morning use of leaf blowers at Gardiner’s Bay Country Club; the responding officer spoke with the groundskeeper who agreed to use electric tools prior to 6 AM and delay early morning work in the complainant’s area. The caller wasn’t totally satisfied with the response.
An officer performed an Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) check at Hiberry Lane where four people were fishing and found no issues. An anonymous caller reported a vehicle had been tailgating and crossed the double yellow line to pass. The responding officer found the vehicle as it was boarding a North Ferry vessel; the driver said he passed the other vehicle because it traveling 5 miles per hour.
An officer patrolled the Heights and Bridge Street areas on foot and observed no traffic issues. A passerby turned in a found wallet. A 911 hangup was due to a misdial. A bay constable checked a report of a possible disabled boat near Buoy 16 in Shelter Island Sound.
When SIPD responded to a verbal dispute on a beach in Silver Beach, the parties agreed to separate; the responding officer completed a domestic incident report and provided victims’ rights information. A bay constable verified that person shellfishing in the Menantic area had a valid permit.
Bay constables assisted a disabled vessel in passing through the North Ferry channel back to the floating dock at Piccozzi’s Marina. A Heights caller complained of illegally parked cars; the responding officer issued three parking tickets.
A Silver Beach caller complained of noise from a Mister Softee truck; the responding officer found the truck parked with music off. The operator said he’d keep the music at a reasonable level. A West Neck caller complained of excessive wake from a boat tubing in the area; the responding bay constables observed no violations.
In the morning and then again around 5 PM, officers assisted with directing traffic in the Center associated with the annual Chamber of Commerce Art Show and Craft Fair.
An aided case refused medical attention. At 10:38 PM, a Center caller reported someone had run across his lawn; SIPD agreed to conduct extra patrols in the area.
Sunday, August 21
A Center caller complained of loud music around 12:15 AM; the responding officer canvassed the area with negative results. At 1:30 AM, officers found 15 people fishing from docked ferries and notified them they’d be subject to arrest for trespassing if they persisted.
At 9:27 AM, a Center caller reported waking to find a snake in his bed; the responding officer located and removed a garter snake and advised the caller to check for holes where the snake may have entered.
An officer conducted an ECL check at Reel Point where eight people were fishing and observed no violations. SIPD reunited a wallet with its owner. SIEMS responded to an aided case; the person did not require medical transport.
An accidental dial resulted in an open-line 911 call. SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH.
A Center caller reported passing an elderly pedestrian who appeared disoriented. The responding officer spoke with the person who reported having tired of walking and requested a ride home. A deer that got stuck in a fence freed itself before the ACO arrived.
An officer returned four found suitcases to their owner. During an ECL check in Silver Beach, an officer issued a verbal warning to a woman fishing for keeping undersized porgy.
A Center caller reported an injured hawk; the ACO responded and found the hawk had died. A short time later, a Hay Beach caller reported an injured bird; it was a tern in need of medical attention.
A West Neck caller reported a dog locked in a vehicle; an ACO responded, arriving just as the dog’s owners returned. SIPD assisted a caller in resetting an electrical breaker.
To learn more about the Shelter Island Police Department, visit its website, shelterislandtown.us/shelter-island-police-department. To report an emergency, dial 911 and provide details to the dispatcher. For non-emergency calls, reach SIPD directly at 631-749-0600. Send mail to PO Box 1056, Shelter Island NY 11964.
If you wish to register a compliment or complaint about the SIPD or one of its officers, you can find the complaint policy here and the compliment/complaint form in English at this link. While you may file a compliment or complaint anonymously, doing so means you lose the opportunity to be contacted for more information or to learn of actions taken related to your compliment or complaint. You may also submit compliments/complaints to a member of the Town Board; they serve as Shelter Island’s Police Commissioners. Report complaints of a criminal nature to the Town Attorney (631-749-0027) or the Suffolk County District Attorney (631-853-4161).
Si desea registrar un cumplido o una queja sobre el SIPD o uno de sus funcionarios, puede encontrar la política de quejas aquí y el formulario para cumplidos/quejas en español en este enlace. Si bien puede presentar un cumplido o una queja de forma anónima, hacerlo significa que pierde la oportunidad de ser contactado para obtener más información o conocer las acciones tomadas relacionadas con su cumplido o queja. Los cumplidos/quejas también se pueden enviar a los miembros de la Junta del Pueblo, quienes sirven como Comisionados de Policía de Shelter Island. Las quejas de naturaleza penal pueden presentarse al Fiscal Municipal (631-749-0027) o al Fiscal de Distrito del Condado de Suffolk (631-853-4161).
