Crime & Safety

Crimes and Fires: Blaze Destroys House, Flavor Flav Pleads Not Guilty

A look at recent crime and fire headlines island-wide.

Here are some of the top crime and fire stories from across Long Island over the past week:

Cops Still Hunting Citibank Robber

Nassau Crime Stoppers are searching for a man they said robbed a Citibank in Jericho in December.

According to Nassau County Police, the man, pictured in security footage, went to the bank and tied up employees and a customer using zip ties. He then took cash from teller stations and the bank vault before fleeing through the parking lot, cops said.

Flavor Flav Pleads Not Guilty to Driving on Suspended License

Rapper Flavor Flav pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony and violation charges after his arrest earlier this month for speeding and driving on on a suspended license.

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Flav, whose real name is William Drayton, was arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on felony charges of driving with a suspended license, as well as two violation charges for marijuana possession and speeding.

Police: Drunken Driver Hits Cop Car, Officer Injured

A Suffolk County police officer suffered minor injuries after a drunken driver crashed into the back of the cop's car while the officer was conducting a traffic stop Friday night in West Babylon, police said. 

Police: 8 Stores Sold Alcohol to Minors

Eight businesses in Suffolk County sold alcohol to minors on Friday, according to police. Eight people were arrested during the police sting conducted between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. A minor was sent into 29 businesses in the area and attempted to purchase alcohol, with eight of them allowing the purchase, police said. 

DA: Patrol Sergeant Stole Money During Traffic Stop

Suffolk County Police on Friday arrested a 25-year patrol sergeant, charging him with stealing money from an undercover cop posing as a motorist.

Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota and Suffolk County Police Commissioner Edward Webber said Sgt. Scott A. Greene, 50, pleaded not guilty to petty larceny and official misconduct charges.

DA: No Bail For Man Who Shot Victim In Face During 'Brutal' Home Invasion

An East Moriches man charged in the "brutal" December shooting of an Eastport man was held without bail at his arraignment before Judge Richard Ambro at Suffolk County Criminal Court on Thursday. 

According to Suffolk County District Attorney Tom Spota, Paul Batterson, 22, was charged with the two counts of murder in the second degree, a felony, for the shooting death of Francisco Pirir-Canel, 45, on Dec. 8. 

Dix Hills House Burns to Rubble

A Dix Hills house that was under construction went up in flames Monday night. 

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The Dix Hills fire Department responded to the fire, which occurred about 7 p.m. 

Firefighters said that flames were shooting 50-feet into the air as the house collapsed within minutes after they arrived at the scene on Princeton Drive.

Police: Group Charged With 11 Commercial Burglaries

Five people have been arrested and charged in connection with a series of commercial burglaries, one residential burglary and a theft at the Islip Town Impound Yard over the past four months, Suffolk Police said Thursday. 

Following an investigation by Third Squad detectives into 11 commercial burglaries in West Islip, East Islip, Islip, Bay Shore, Bayport, Sayville and Deer Park and one Islip residence from October to January during which money, cell phones and computers were stolen, four males were arrested, police said. 


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