An arrest for felony criminal mischief tops the Shelter Island police blotter for July 18 to 24, a week that included torrential rain, a house fire possibly caused by lightning, and a car getting stuck on a privet.
Santolo Esposito, 29, of Union City, NJ was arrested on Sunday, July 24 and charged with one count of criminal mischief in the 2nd degree and one count of criminal trespass in the 2nd degree, a misdemeanor, the police report said.
SIPD said officers responded to a 911 distress call and, following an investigation, Esposito was arrested in Greenport around 11:58 PM. The criminal mischief charge is for damage to a home in excess of $1,500.
“It was determined that the defendant was not authorized to be within the residence that he had gained entry into,” said SIPD Det/Sgt Jack H. Thilberg in a news release. Esposito was arraigned in Shelter Island Justice Court the following morning and released on his own recognizance. The court issued an order of protection for the victim.
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 Those named have not been convicted of a crime, and charges against them may be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found not guilty.
As torrential rain began on Monday, July 18, a caller reported smelling smoke in his Hay Beach basement; the Shelter Island Fire Department volunteers responded and put out a small fire in a crawl space.
They surmised the fire was the result of the house being struck by lightning and the electrical charge following the propane line into the crawl space.
Flooded roadways and downed trees also resulted from the storm that reportedly dumped 3 inches of rain. A van parked in a Heights lot rolled into a nearby barn, causing minor damage.
Accidents
Ryan Alexander Vella of Sands Point told police he was driving westbound past 21 Dickerson Drive around 10:30 PM on Wednesday, July 20 when he failed to negotiate a curve and became stuck atop a roadside privet. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at more than $1,000.
Two boating accidents were reported on Sunday, July 24. William J. Mills of Greenport told a bay constable that around 3:16 PM his power boat was on its Dering Harbor mooring when it was struck by a sailboat operated by Theodore G. Clark of Ithaca, poking a 3-inch hole in the hull (damage estimated at more than $1,000). Clark’s boat, a Herreshoff H12, wasn’t damaged.
Wayne V. Ciolino of Massapequa Park told a bay constable that while his power boat was at anchor in Coecles Harbor around 5:33 PM, an unoccupied Boston whaler dragged its anchor and drifted into his boat, causing damage to the swim platform and port side estimated in excess of $1,000. The other boat, belonging to Joseph L. DeBellis of Southampton, wasn’t damaged.
Animal control
An animal control officer issued a summons for a Town Code violation to Finley Shaw of Shelter Island on Saturday, July 23, around 8:24 PM for permitting dogs to run at large. The ACO was called to a South Menatic Road home by a resident who said two dogs attacked his cat. The man caught the dogs and tied them to a tree; the ACO returned them to their home.
Traffic stops
Officers stopped and ticketed drivers as follows:
- On Tuesday, July 19
- Xavier Nugra-Nugra of Holtsville, around 6:04 AM on North Cartwright Road for speeding 69 miles per hour in a 35-mph zone
- John C. Irving of New York, NY, around 3:51 PM on Burns Road for riding a motorcycle with an unapproved or no protective helmet
- On South Ferry Road for operating a vehicle while using a portable electronic device — Jessica D. Molginano of Southampton, around 4:14 PM; Robert E. Farrell of Riverhead, around 4:33 PM; and Arif Nehibi, around 5:18 PM
- On Wednesday, July 20
- Bryan S. Rosenberg of Southold, around 3:33 PM on South Ferry Road for operating a vehicle while using a portable electronic device
- On North Menantic Road for speeding — Jack S. Rangaiah of Scarsdale, around 5:04 PM, 50 miles per hour in a 35-mph zone; and Alexander R. Nadel of Cutchogue, around 5:23 PM; 47 mph in a 35-mph zone
- Tara M. Stocknoff of Southampton, around 5:55 PM, on West Neck Road for failure to stop at a stop sign
- Franklin M. Chabla of East Hampton, around 6:09 PM, on West Neck Road for failure to stop at a stop sign, aggravated unlicensed operation in the 3rd degree (a misdemeanor), and unlicensed operator
- On Thursday, July 21
- On North Cartwright Road for speeding — Sarah R. Snow of Brooklyn, around 6:07 PM, 47 mph in a 35-mph zone; and Thomas H. Bishop of New York, NY, around 6:23 PM, 46 mph in a 35-mph zone
- On Saturday, July 23
- Deybis R. Rodriguez of Englewood Cliffs, around 3:52 PM on Manhanset Road for failure to stop at a stop sign
- Zachary M. Malone of Southampton, around 7:24 PM on New York Avenue for speeding 38 mph in a 25-mph zone
SIPD officers also issued 36 verbal warnings, including several to cyclists for failure to stop at a stop sign. Traffic control officers wrote 45 parking tickets.
Bay constables
On Island waters, bay constables issued these summonses:
- Alredo Pena III of Miami, on Saturday, July 23, around 11:55 AM off Crescent Beach for having a child aboard under age 12 not wearing a personal floatation device
- Alexander R. Rossi of New York, NY, on Saturday, July 23, around 3:33 PM in Gardiners Bay near Reel Point for operating an unregistered motor vessel
- Jonathan B. Snider of Boston, on Sunday, July 24, around 6:18 PM off Crescent Beach for failing to have onboard a Type IV throwable device.
- Bay constables issued warnings in several other marine incidents.
Detailed police blotter for July 18 to 24
Monday, July 18
Around 7 AM, SIPD responded to a call at a Ram Island home where a CO alarm sounded; the officer found a stove valve open and a smell of propane, shut off the gas, and evacuated the residents. Shelter Island Fire Department volunteers arrived and used fans to air the place out.
In Long View, a caller reported hearing a loud bang followed by a power outage. The responding officer located a blown primary fuse on a utility pole and notified PSEG for repairs.
In Hay Beach, a caller reported an oyster company’s buoy adrift; SIPD contacted the owner, who retrieved the wandering marker. SIPD, the school, Southold PD dispatch, and Suffolk County held an emergency notification drill using the Smart 911 system.
A Center employee didn’t get to the building’s keypad in time, triggering the burglary alarm. SIPD assisted two drivers locked out of their vehicles.
Due to excessive rainfall, flooding occurred throughout the Island; SIPD worked with the highway departments to warn drivers away from numerous flooded roadways. Liberty Towing assisted with removing vehicles that got stuck. In West Neck Bay, a caller reported a boat capsized at a mooring. Also in West Neck Bay, a large mud plume entered the water from a construction site.
SIPD assisted a person with fingerprinting for employment purposes. A Heights caller who reported losing a cardholder contacted SIPD to say he’d found it. An officer escorted home a driver whose vehicle lost power after exiting a North Ferry vessel. SIPD completed eJustice validations.
Tuesday, July 19
Around 5:25 AM, a smoke alarm sounded at a Center residence; it was a false alarm. An animal control officer (ACO) patrolled the Town Beaches to check for dogs, which are not allowed leashed or otherwise through Labor Day. She observed no violations.
An officer administered oxygen to an aided case until a volunteer Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services team (SIEMS) arrived and transported the person to Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital (SB/ELIH).
A caller reported finding a dinghy floating next to the Heights Beach Club; the responding officer removed it to the SIPD impound yard. An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Ram Island area and observed no violations.
A Ram Island caller reported a possible email scam; no money was exchanged. A fire alarm sounded at a Center guest house; the caretaker said it was a false alarm. An officer conducted distracted driving enforcement in the South Ferry area, resulting in three tickets and one verbal warning.
A Heights caller reported a dog at large; the responding ACO located and reunited it with its owners. Later, a Center caller reported another dog at large; the ACO arrived at the same time as the dog owner. Around 10 PM, a fire alarm accidentally sounded at a Heights residence.
The SIPD Detective/Sergeant completed an online opioid awareness training program.
Wednesday, July 20
A Silver Beach caller reported a sick raccoon; an ACO captured and transported it to a vet for humane euthanasia. An officer responded to a report of a driver refusing to pay a South Ferry fare; the driver apologized.
A West Neck caller reported a dog at large and said it was a recurring issue. The ACO contacted the owner, who arrived and was verbally combative, so the ACO called for backup. Before an officer arrived, the owner took the dog home, and no further action was requested.
A passerby reported finding a license plate; SIPD reunited the plate with its owner. A Center caller requested a well-being check; the responding officer found the person in question was fine.
A bay constable returned a paddleboard to its owner. SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH. An officer assisted a driver locked out of a vehicle. A caller reported a possible telephone scam; no money was exchanged.
Around 6:27 PM, SIFD responded to a West Neck fire alarm; it was a false alarm. An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Cartwright area and issued two warnings.
Thursday, July 21
Shortly after midnight, a West Neck caller phoned in a possible fire alarm; SIPD and SIFD responded and found the device sounded because the battery was dead.
SIFD responded to a CO alarm in the Center around 2:20 AM; when firefighters couldn’t gain entry without force, SIPD notified the homeowner, who said the place was unoccupied and it was likely a false alarm.
A passerby found a wallet on a West Neck beach; SIPD reunited it with its owner. A Center caller reported missing one license plate; SIPD assisted with filing DMV forms. A Center caller reported losing cash around 7:30 PM the previous day.
SIPD conducted a welfare check and found no problems. A caller reported an umbrella missing off his porch. Then, a neighbor said there was an umbrella in nearby woods, and the caller realized his umbrella must’ve blown there due to high winds.
An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Cartwright area, resulting in two traffic tickets. Later, an officer conducted distracted driving enforcement in the West Neck area and observed no violations.
On Ram Island, a caller reported a person would not leave when asked at a property posted with No Trespassing signs. Around 10 PM, SIPD responded to a domestic dispute.
Friday, July 22
A Heights caller complained of a truck blocking the service alley behind Grand Avenue shops; the responding officer advised the alleyway users to conclude deliveries in a reasonable amount of time.
A Westmoreland caller reported a goose with a broken leg; the responding ACO attempted capture, but the goose swam away. A fire alarm was activated at a West Neck location; the SIFD found it was a false alarm, and the owner said there’s been system trouble.
A Heights caller said a new mooring was obstructing navigation in Dering Harbor. An officer administered oxygen to an aided case until SIEMS arrived and transported the person to SB/ELIH.
An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Heights and issued three verbal warnings. SIPD responded to a caller who fell at home but wasn’t injured. A Heights caller reported a man “squatting” on a property. When SIPD arrived, the man had left on foot, and an officer canvassed the area with negative results.
A caller transported an aided case to the North Ferry terminal, where they were picked up by SIEMS for transport to SB/ELIH. A caller reported possibly losing a passport but left SIPD headquarters before an officer could respond.
Officers responded to a 911 open line call and determined there was no emergency. Around 8:19 PM, a Menantic caller reported hearing loud music; the responding officer did not hear any.
Saturday, July 23
Around 8:40 AM, steam from a shower triggered a fire alarm at a Silver Beach residence. An officer conducted an Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) check at Reel Point, where 10 people were fishing, and observed no violations.
A Center caller reported dogs barking; the responding officer listened for 10 minutes with negative findings. A bay constable issued a verbal warning to a boat operator in Majors Harbor for pulling a skier with no observer aboard.
A Center caller complained of noise from a nearby construction site; the responding officer advised her there are no restrictions to enforce, but if the noise continues, ask the neighbor to start later.
SIPD was investigating a report of a Center vehicle damaged with small scratches. A bay constable warned a boat operator there against ferrying people to the beach, which is not permitted under Mashomack Preserve rules.
A Menantic caller reported noise from a boat at a public landing. A bay constable documented the use of a disputed Ram Island dock. In the West Neck area, a bay constable assisted a boater with an anchor line tangled in a Town Beach swim buoy.
Around 3 PM, a bay constable warned the operator of a 34-foot vessel off Crescent Beach for failing to display registration information and operating without registration. Just before 5 PM, a bay constable pulled over a jet ski operating improperly in West Neck Bay and warned the operator to use the waters for transit only and not exceed speed limits.
SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH. An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Cartwright area and observed no violations.
Around 7:12 PM, a Tarkettle caller reported loud music at SALT Waterfront Bar & Grill; the responding officer checked the noise level and found it to be reasonable. The bar owner agreed to lower the volume and said the music would end in about 30 minutes.
An officer responded to assist with traffic flow as a Center event ended but found few parked vehicles remaining and traffic moving normally. A West Neck caller reported a vehicle failing to maintain its lane; the responding officer located the vehicle and found no sign of driver impairment.
A passerby reported a person fell while walking a dog in the West Neck area; the dog walker refused medical attention. Later, SIEMS transported an aided case to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.
A fire alarm in a Heights building around 11:20 PM was due to smoke in a kitchen created while cleaning a stove.
Sunday, July 24
An officer conducted an ECL check at Hiberry Lane, where four people were fishing, and observed no violations. A tree fell, blocking a West Neck roadway; SIPD directed traffic while awaiting Highway Department removal.
SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH. A Silver Beach caller asked for extra patrols, reporting that multiple cyclists were failing to maintain single file and creating a traffic hazard. An officer tried but was unable to gain entry for a driver locked out of a vehicle and advised contacting a locksmith.
Around 1 PM, a Center caller reported loud music at a neighbor’s house earlier that morning; the responding officer advised to call when the music was playing so SIPD could assess the level. Meantime, the officer contacted the neighbor, who agreed to keep the volume at a reasonable level.
An employee inadvertently activated a fire alarm at a Hay Beach location. An officer conducted distracted driving enforcement in the Center and observed no violations. A Center caller reported an item taken and was seeking restitution. SIPD took a person into custody under the state’s mental health laws with the support of SIEMS.
Around 10 PM, a Center call reported vehicles parked at the Fiske Field basketball courts with their lights on; when SIPD arrived, the drivers removed the vehicles without incident. SIPD followed up on a complaint of noisy music at Sunset Beach and found the volume was not loud.
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).
