Two arrests — one relating to a forged license plate and another for criminal mischief — top the police blotter for February 14 to 20; officers also issued tickets to five drivers during traffic stops.
Mario Adolfo Ochoa-Avila, 42, of East Marion was arrested Monday, February 20, and charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument in the 2nd degree, aggravated unlicensed operation in the 2nd degree, and unlicensed operation, according to SIPD Detective/Sergeant Jack H. Thilberg.
“Subsequent to an investigation into the use and sales of fake Texas DMV temporary registration plates, the above-named defendant was arrested and charged with possession of a forged government instrumentality, after he sold a set of forged plates to another,” Thilberg said in a news release Monday.
[Note: This post was updated when SIPD released information about Monday’s arrest. You can read about the original traffic stop in last week’s blotter.]
Ochoa-Avila was held overnight, arraigned before Shelter Island Justice Court, and released in his own recognizance, Thilberg said.
Michael P. Ronzino, 46, of Shelter Island, was arrested Tuesday, February 15, around 3:39 PM on a charge of criminal mischief in the 4th degree, according to Det/Sgt Thilberg.
“Subsequent to an investigation regarding intentional damage to a vehicle, the defendant was arrested for the above offense,” Thilberg said. Ronzino was processed at SIPD headquarters and was released on a desk appearance ticket directing him to appear at Shelter Island Justice Court at a later date.
Tickets and traffic stops
Officers stopped and ticketed these drivers as follows:
- On Tuesday, February 15 on Grand Avenue for driving with no seat belt: Oscar Cruz Flores of Greenport, around 8:12 AM, and Steven A. Ferreira of West Sayville, around 8:50 AM
- Richard Tarpinian of Shelter Island on Saturday, February 19 around 12:38 PM on New York Avenue for speeding 44 miles per hour in a 25-mph zone
- Fredys Pereira of Mastic on Saturday, February, 19 around 7:26 PM on West Neck Road for failure to stop at a stop sign, and being an unlicensed operator
- James L. Lupo of Shelter Island on Saturday, February 19 around 11:25 PM on North Ferry Road for no/inadequate lights, and driving an uninspected motor vehicle
Officers issued nine warnings to drivers during traffic stops
Detailed police blotter for February 14 to 20
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.
Monday, February 14
Around 2 AM, a Center caller reported mice in a house. Just before 5 AM, during snowfall, Highway Department crews responded to assist SIPD, and a volunteer Shelter Island Emergency Services team responded to an aided case, who required transportation to Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital for further evaluation.
SIPD notified all three Island highway departments to clear and sand roadways due to hazardous conditions. On a West Neck roadway, a caller reported a vehicle stuck in the snow; the driver told SIPD he was backing into a driveway when he got stuck. Liberty Auto Repair & Towing sent a tow truck, to no avail. So SIPD called on Shepherd Enterprises, which brought gear to pull the vehicle free.
A passerby reported a burglary alarm sounding at a Menantic residence; the responding officer secured the unoccupied house, shut off the alarm, and notified the owner. In addition, an officer assisted a person needing fingerprints for a new birth certificate.
A Center caller reported slashed tires; SIPD was investigating (see arrest information above).
A burglary alarm sounded at an unoccupied Menantic residence; there was no sign of criminal activity, and the owner agreed to have the alarm company service the system.
The smell of gas inside a residence prompted a call to the Shelter Island Fire Department; volunteer firefighters found the propane tank empty and ventilated the house, advising the owner to call the gas provider for repairs.
Tuesday, February 15
Shortly after midnight, an officer assisted a caller who’d fallen at home but was not injured. Then, around 7:15 AM, an officer conducted distracted driving and seatbelt enforcement in the Heights, issuing two tickets and a verbal warning (see details above).
In an unoccupied Heights residence, a carbon monoxide alarm went off; the SIFD ventilated the house, and Chief Anthony Reiter spoke with the homeowner about possible sources of CO. A Center caller reported a vehicle blocking a Town Landing; it was gone when the responding officer arrived.
A caller reported receiving unwanted calls and text messages; the responding officer spoke with the alleged instigator and advised the person to refrain from further contact.
Wednesday, February 16
After midnight, loud music emanating from a Menantic residence prompted a noise complaint; the person immediately complied with an officer’s request to lower the volume.
Around 7 AM, the SIFD responded to a rubbish fire at the Town Recycling Center, where a town employee had disposed of hot embers in a garbage bag. An officer took part in 1st quarter rifle training at the Suffolk Count range in Westhampton.
SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH. An officer assisted a person in verifying a vehicle identification number. A passerby reported finding a debit card at a Heights ATM. SIPD assisted another agency in a missing person case off-Island.
An officer deployed cones to mark hazardous wires down along a Heights roadway, notifying the Heights Highway Department to repair. SIEMS transported aided case to SB/ELIH for medical attention.
The SIFD aired another residence where someone failed to turn off the gas entirely, causing propane to waft into a neighboring office. No one was injured.
Thursday, February 17
SIPD released a vehicle from impound, providing a receipt to the owner. An officer provided DARE lessons to 5th and 6th graders at the Shelter Island School.
A caller reported receiving unwanted messages; SIPD responded and advised the instigator to cease contact. SIEMS transported an aided case to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital for medical attention.
A Silver Beach caller reported a tree stand on homeowners association property; the responding officer explained hunters are licensed to work there during the Town-managed hunt.
SIPD worked with American Express on a financial crime investigation. A person appeared at SIPD headquarters to say a scammer was actively targeting them.
Friday, February 18
In high winds around 3:30 AM, a door blew open at Hay Beach bar; there was no sign of criminal activity. A Ram Island caller reported a crack utility pole; SIPD deployed cones and notified PSEG for repairs.
A caller reported a downed tree blocking a Ram Island roadway; SIPD notified Johnson Tree Company to remove it. SIPD informed PSEG about downed limbs on wires in the Center.
An officer assisted a driver locked out of a vehicle. The wind blew open a door at an unoccupied Heights residence; there was no sign of criminal activity.
A caller reported a loose dog in the Center; the responding officer searched for it but did not find it. An officer advised a caller to contact an attorney to inform about the access rights of a former property owner.
Saturday, February 19
A West Neck caller reported an injured deer; the responding officer found it, but it ran off into the woods. A Center caller reported wires down in high winds; SIPD notified PSEG.
Around 11 PM, a general alarm sounded at a West Neck residence; the responding officers confirmed all was secure and notified the property caretaker.
Sunday, February 20
An officer escorted a person from North Ferry to SIPD HQ. A Shorewood caller reported a dead raccoon; the responding Animal Control Officer (ACO) observed the animal on ice in the middle of a pond and couldn’t safely retrieve it.
A caller reported hearing gunshots in the Westmoreland Farm area; an officer canvassed the area looking for hunters with negative results.
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).
