A rear-ender crash and numerous tickets top the Shelter Island police blotter for July 25 to 31.
Evan Alexander Ringel of White Plains told SIPD he was traveling westbound on North Ferry Road on Saturday, July 30, around 11:20 AM, when he slowed down at the Center’s Wilson Circle and was rear-ended by Nicholas C. Wityk of New York, NY. Wityk said his foot slipped off the brake pedal. SIPD estimated damage to both vehicles was greater than $1,000.
Tickets and traffic stops
Officers stopped and ticketed these drivers as follows:
- On Monday, July 25, Matthew H. Cohen of New York, NY, 10:55 AM on New York Avenue for failure to stop at a stop sign
- On Tuesday, July 26:
- Hector J. Rodriguez-Mena of Union City, NJ, 9:14 AM on New York Avenue for disobeying a traffic control device
- Jonathan R. Schrott of Shelter Island, 1:10 PM on North Menantic Road for speeding 56 miles per hour in a 35-mph zone
- Martin Perez Munoz of Riverhead, 5:13 PM on New York Avenue for speeding 39 mph in a 25-mph zone and being an unlicensed operator
- On Wednesday, July 27:
- Mario R. Garcia Rodriguez of Greenport, 11:20 AM on North Menantic Road for failure to cover loose cargo and driving an unregistered vehicle
- Brenda L. Aheran of Malibu, 4:15 PM on New York Avenue for speeding 38 mph in a 25-mph zone
- On Thursday, July 28, on New York Avenue:
- Anna R. Friezo of Fort Lauderdale, 6:13 PM for speeding 45 mph in a 25-mph zone
- Carlos R. Estevez-Guerrero of Elizabeth, NJ, 7:03 PM for disobeying a traffic control device
- On Friday, July 29 on New York Avenue for speeding in a 25-mph zone
- Samuel S. Glusker of Brooklyn, 7:33 AM, 37 mph
- Loren H. Brown of New York, NY, 8:05 AM, 39 mph
- Kevin S. Lynyak of Southport, CT, 8:20 AM, 39 mph, and operating a vehicle while using a portable electronic device and making an improper/unsafe turn without signal
- Elizabeth C. Bagley of West Hampton Beach, 8:45 AM, 45 mph
- Ronaldo Vidals of Brooklyn, 7:01 PM, 38 mph
- On Saturday, July 30
- on New York Avenue for speeding in a 25-mph zone:
- Edward Smith of Shelter Island , 9:15 AM, 43 mph, and improper plates
- Gillian H. Cortese of Mt. Laurel, NJ, 9:46 AM, 40 mph
- Benjamin A. Block of Shelter Island, 6:32 PM, 35 mph, and aggravated unlicensed operation in the 3rd degree (a misdemeanor)
- Henry T. Seeley of Los Angeles, 10:22 AM on West Neck Road for driving an unregistered vehicle
- Benjamin C. Dean of New York, NY, 1:12 PM on St. Mary’s Road for failure to yield right of way at a stop sign, and failure to stop at a stop sign
- on North Cartwright Road for speeding in a 35-mph zone
- Hally E. Dinkel of Shelter Island, 1:48 PM, 55 mph
- Sabine B. Borthwick of New York, NY, 2:07 PM, 61 mph
- on New York Avenue for speeding in a 25-mph zone:
- On Sunday, July 31:
- Caesar W. Wyzomirski of New York, NY, 11:44 AM on Manwaring Road for failure to stop at a stop sign and speeding 52 mph in a 35-mph zone
- Lucie J. Cahill of Greenwich, CT, around 6:18 PM on New York Avenue for speed not reasonable and prudent
- on New York Avenue for speeding in a 25-mph zone
- Rahul R. Shah of Elmhurst, 6 PM, 42 mph
- Andreas Wuerfel of Sag Harbor, 6:37 PM, 39 mph
- Spencer E. Engellis of Northport, 7:23 PM, on St. Mary’s Road for speeding 50 mph in a 35-mph zone
SIPD officers also issued 34 verbal warnings during traffic stops and 46 parking tickets.
Marine incidents
Bay constables issued summonses as follows:
- Christiano Cameli of East Hampton, on Saturday, July 30, 1:51 PM in Smith Cove for towing two skiers without an observer aboard
- Owen A. Tunney of New York, NY, on Sunday, July 31, 12:56 PM in Smiths Cove for towing of persons with no observer aboard
- Christian DuPreez of New York, NY, on Sunday, July 31, 3:20 PM in Dering Harbor for failure to display registration numbers
Bay constables also issued four verbal warnings to boaters.
Detailed police blotter for July 25 to 31
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, July 25
Around 5:18 AM, an automated fire alarm drew Shelter Island Fire Department volunteers to a Hay Beach facility, but it was a false alarm due to a problem sensor. It went off again about four hours later.
A HiLo caller inadvertently dialed 911; there was no emergency. Officers successfully completed annual marine training.
A North Ferry employee notified SIPD that a driver left the ferry without paying; an officer located the vehicle at the Heights Post Office and interviewed the driver. A follow-up with a manager determined the driver had paid the fare.
A Cartwright caller called to document damage caused by a tenant; the responding officer advised this is a civil, not criminal, matter. An officer escorted a person to South Ferry after an arraignment.
A Heights caller reported a sign was vandalized. A volunteer Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services team (SIEMS) transported an aided case to Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital (SB/ELIH).
What appeared at first to be a disabled vehicle blocking a Heights roadway turned out to be illegally parked; the driver was issued a ticket. In Dering Harbor, a caller reported a suspicious vehicle.
Tuesday, July 26
Around 3:19 AM, the SIFD responded to an automated carbon monoxide alarm in the Heights; the detector was faulty. SIPD conducted commercial vehicle enforcement, resulting in one ticket for failure to obey a traffic control device.
A Silver Beach caller reported a large animal in a swimming pool; the responding animal control officer (ACO) found a juvenile rabbit on the top step of the pool and removed the unharmed critter.
SIPD responded to a Heights caller who said four suitcases had been left; the responding officer followed up with the owner of the bags, who agreed to notify SIPD when she planned to them up.
In the Menantic and Heights area, officers performed radar enforcement resulting in three tickets and three verbal warnings. A Menantic caller reported that the sound of a boat was causing a disturbance; she noted that she’d been previously told the boat operator was not violating any laws but was advised to document the disturbance.
SIFD responded to an automated alarm at a Dering Harbor residence and determined it was triggered by a faulty detector.
Wednesday, July 27
An off-Island caller phoned in around 5:51 AM to report seeing a bright light that might indicate a possible fire in the Hay Beach area; officers checked Hay Beach and the Ram Island causeway with negative results.
SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH. A Menantic caller requested additional patrols after reporting an unknown person had damaged his door and windows.
A Coecles Harbor caller reported jet skiers causing a disturbance; they were gone when a bay constable arrived An officer conducted commercial vehicle enforcement in the Heights and issued one ticket.
A person reported, for informational purposes, that someone had posted unwanted content. A West Neck caller reported a dog at large; the responding ACO searched for it but didn’t find it and posted information on social media. When someone spotted the dog, the ACO captured it and returned it to its owner.
In West Neck Creek, a caller reported two jet skis operating at a high rate of speed where the limit is 5 mph. The responding officer canvassed the area, but the jet skiers were gone.
Thursday, July 28
A caller reported a driver, appearing confused, was pulled over onto the side of a West Neck roadway; the driver told the responding officer he was just looking for a place to park.
SIPD was investigating a caller’s report that a bank account had been activated in his name without authorization. A caller reported that a person had been following her, texting her, and showing up unwanted. The responding officer spoke to the person, and he agreed to refrain from further contact.
SIEMS responded to an aided case, but the person refused medical attention. In response to a request for a well-being check, SIPD arrived at a home to find the person in question had passed away.
A West Neck caller reported finding a disturbing photo alongside a roadway. A caller reported losing a passport but stopped by SIPD HQ the next day to say she’d found it.
An officer assisted a person with fingerprinting for employment purposes. SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH. A bay constable warned the operator of a large boat not to engage in skiing near moored vessels and docks. A caller reported receiving a scam phone call; no money was exchanged.
A bay constable warned two people clamming in Gardiner’s Creek that the area is closed to shellfishing; they threw back their clams and went elsewhere. As a result of radar enforcement in the Heights, SIPD issued two tickets and one verbal warning.
An officer provided assistance to a person with dementia and the person’s caretaker. A Silver Beach caller reported a strange hissing sound; the responding officer found it was emanating from the person’s Ring camera flood lamp and assisted with resetting the device.
A Silver Beach caller reported a bat in the house; the responding ACO did not find it.
Friday, July 29
Shortly after midnight, an officer fielded a call from a worried father dealing with a teething child in distress. The officer assured the parent that if the pain persists and medical attention is needed, he can call 911 for immediate aid.
Around 6 AM, a Hay Beach fire alarm sounded; an SIFD chief responded and found there was no emergency. An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Heights resulting in six traffic tickets for four drivers.
SIPD was investigating the report of a Heights caller about a man making threats. In the Ram Island area, a caller reported that a person engaged in harassing emails and comments.
A caller reported a person speeding in Sylvester Manor during drop-off for the children’s summer program; the responding officer spoke with the driver, who said she’d be more attentive.
In frequent ACO checks of Town Beaches, where dogs are not permitted through Labor Day, one service dog was observed at Wades Beach. An officer completed security audits required by SIPD by the state’s Division of Criminal Justice Services and Department of Motor Vehicles.
Around 5:12 PM, an officer directed North Ferry traffic in the Heights. Later, an officer conducted radar enforcement in the Cartwright area and observed no violations. Radar enforcement in the Menantic area resulted in a verbal warning.
An anonymous caller reported an injured deer by a Center roadway; the responding officer dispatched the deer. A fire alarm that elicited an SIFD response to a West Neck location was set off by steam from a shower.
A caller reported that a vehicle crossed into her lane near Wades Beach, almost hitting her vehicle; the responding officer canvassed the area without success. An ACO returned a stunned but uninjured baby rabbit to its nest.
A Silver Beach caller reported loud music around 10:30 PM, the responding officer spoke with partygoers who agreed to lower the volume.
Saturday, July 30
An officer performed an Environmental Conservation Law inspection at Hiberry Lane, where six people were fishing and found no violations. In the Heights, radar enforcement resulted in three tickets and two warnings.
In an ECL check at Reel Point, where six people were fishing, an officer issued a warning for undersized porgies. An officer assisted a driver locked out of a vehicle. SIPD assisted with traffic control at a funeral.
A bay constable inspected a vessel that had no registration sticker displayed; the boat operator had temporary documentation. A passerby found an iPhone; an officer was able to contact the owner and returned it.
A caller reported that a vehicle was backing up, and the left front tire ran over the caller’s foot, but he was not injured and required no medical attention. (SIPD says details to follow in next week’s blotter.)
In the Center, a homeowner returned after being away for a week to find his pool was three-quarters empty; upon investigating, a pool repair company told the homeowner the pump may have been tampered with.
Around 5 PM, an officer responding to a report of a family possibly camping at Crab Creek found a group departing. Bay constables assisted a boat owner who reported his vessel taking on water off Mashomack; they assisted with anchoring the boat and remained until a marine towing service arrived.
A West Neck caller reported people cooking over a campfire in a grassy area near Kissing Rock; the responding officer assisted with putting out the fire and advised the chefs to move onto the beach.
Radar enforcement in the Heights resulted in two tickets (see above) and one warning. SIPD notified operators of six vessels that they were anchored outside the designated area in Silver Beach; they moved the boats.
A Montclair caller reported a vessel on his mooring without permission; the responding bay constable advised the boater to move to an appropriate anchorage.
Just after 11 PM, a caller reported loud music at a West Neck location; the responding officer told an employee another complaint would prompt a noise investigation. The employee agreed to lower the volume.
Around midnight, an officer on patrol observed a disabled vehicle in the Center; a note left by the driver said a tow truck was due the following morning.
Sunday, July 31
Around 3:39 AM, an officer investigated a vehicle parked in a West Neck location with the passenger side door open. No further details were provided.
SIPD conducted a 10 AM well-being check on a person who failed to show up as expected; they were engaged in another activity. Radar enforcement in the Center resulted in two tickets.
SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH. In the Heights, a driver reported damage to a side-view mirror when a parked vehicle was struck by a passing vehicle.
A Mashomack caller reported jet skis operating erratically; they were gone when a bay constable arrived. An ACO freed a raccoon that got stuck in a Ram Island dumpster. Two hours later, she freed a raccoon that got stuck in a West Neck dumpster.
An officer performed radar enforcement in the Center and observed no violations.
Radar enforcement in the Heights resulted in three tickets and one warning. A bay constable advised seven boaters in West Neck Harbor and two in Coecles Harbor to move to appropriate anchorages; all complied.
A caller who dialed 911 said it was a problem with her phone, and she was in touch with the service provider for repairs. SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH.
SIPD was investigating a possible sexual assault. A caller complained of noise from Sunset Beach; the responding officer found the noise level to be compliant. Notified of the complaint, an employee said they were turning off the music.
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).
