Crime & Safety
Nearby: Holtsville Man Arrested In Traffic Sting
Suffolk Police issued approximately 50 summonses in crackdown on unsafe driving on Veterans Highway between Commack and Holbrook.
A Holtsville man was arrested on Thursday after attempting to flee police during an orchestrated traffic sting intended to target unsafe drivers along Veterans Highway.
Officers from the Fourth and Fifth Precinct COPE units set up the crackdown on Rt. 454 between Commack and Holbrook as part of an ongoing effort to reduce the number of crashes, police say.
During the operation COPE Officer Guy Gourlay attempted to stop Michael Russo, 20 of Holtsville for a traffic violation. That's when police say Russo fled from the officer. Gourlay initiated a short pursuit and Russo was arrested after he became ensnared in traffic.
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Russo, of Washington Avenue in Holtsville, was charged with 3rd-degree Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle, Reckless Driving, DWAI Drugs and Criminal Possession of Marijuana.
In addition to Russo's arrest, officers arrested a Brentwood man on an outstanding warrant, and a Center Moriches man for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. About 50 traffic tickets were also issued during the sting.
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