Crime & Safety

LI Crimes: Man Uses Credit Card Numbers Stolen in Target Data Breach

A look at recent crime headlines island-wide.

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

Police: Man Buys $35K in Gift Cards With Credit Card Info Stolen in Target Data Breach

A Queens man was arrested on Thursday after police say he used stolen credit card information that was obtained in the recent Target data breach to buy more than $35,000 worth of gift cards from an Islandia Rite Aid. 

Suffolk County Police Identity Theft Section detectives were contacted in January by security from the Rite Aid, located at 1968 Veterans Memorial Highway, regarding a possible credit card scam at the store. 

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Following an investigation, detectives determined that the same person-Terron Stowe, 27–entered the store several times between Jan. 6-20 and used information from 45 stolen credit cards to purchase gift cards, police said. 

Glen Cove Mother and Son Charged with Multiple Felonies

A Glen Cove woman and her son are facing felony charges after a reported break-in on Tuesday.

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Glen Cove police say they received a “frantic call” at about 11:20 a.m. Tuesday from a resident in the Landing area in the city.

Upon arrival, police spoke to the homeowner and discovered that the house’s front door had been forced in, and that those responsible were still onsite. Police then arrested Laura Purnel, 40, of Glen Cove, and her son, Jesse Thomas, 21, on the premises.

DA: LIRR Credit Card ‘Skimmers’ Plead Guilty

Two men admitted to being part of a scam to steal financial information from Long Island Rail Road passengers using hidden cameras and credit card skimmers, announced the Nassau County District Attorney.

Dorin Husa, 37, and Niculae Petre, 45, both of Elmhurst, pleaded guilty Friday to one count each of criminal possession of forgery devices.

Two Charged with Attempted Murder in Freeport

Nassau County Police have taken into custody the second of two people they believe tried to shoot and kill a man in Freeport last month.

Cops said James Tobin, 23, and Ali Jones, 20, both of Freeport, shot a 23-year-old man in the early afternoon of Feb. 4.

Last Defendants Sentenced in Medicaid Fraud Sweep

A Massapequa man was ordered to complete community service and pay restitution after pleading guilty to welfare fraud, announced the Nassau County District Attorney.

Mathew Sutphen, 52, of Massapequa, was released Tuesday on a conditional discharge and sentenced to serve 210 hours of community service on top of paying $167,240.79 in restitution. Sutphen pleaded guilty to second-degree welfare fraud in January 2012.

Cops: Duo Found with 60 Stolen Credit Cards

Two people were caught with 60 stolen credit cards after trying to use one of them at an East Garden City restaurant, according to Nassau County Police.

Cops said Jacques Joseph, 30, of Elmont, and Shantelle Walker, 30, of Florida, were caught by restaurant staff trying to use a fraudulent credit card at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

Police ID Man Found Dead on Miller Place Beach

Suffolk police have identified the man found dead on a Miller Place beach Wednesday as Queens resident Sidney Valverde. 

Valverde, 19, had "sustained a significant head injury," police said. 

Police said Valverde has ties to the MS-13 gang and has an extensive criminal history, according to a News 12 report

Police: Man Driving Stolen Car on Drugs Arrested After Fleeing Wrong-Way Crash

An Oceanside man driving a stolen SUV while on drugs was arrested Thursday afternoon after he led State Police on a short pursuit and then fled after he crashed the vehicle while driving the wrong-way on Route 231 in North Babylon, police said. 

Ivan Torres, 34, is charged with fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property, unlawful fleeing, second degree reckless endangerment, possession of a hypodermic needle and driving while ability impaired by drugs. 

DA: Lindenhurst Man Used Chainsaw to Terrorize Teen, Woman He Forced Into Prostitution

A Lindenhurst man pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, sex trafficking and other charges in a 32-count grand jury indictment unsealed in Suffolk County Criminal Court Thursday, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.  

Andrew “Andy” Gayot was order held in lieu of $500,000 cash bail, or $1 million bond. Gayot was arrested on Feb. 25 when Suffolk County police and probation officers and the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at 258 North Greene Ave. in Lindenhurst, a house containing several inhabitants. 


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