Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates A Long Island man has been convicted of gunning down his former neighbor in a ruthless broad daylight attack that left a father dead outside a North Bellport home Lee Houpe (left) who was fatally shot by Shati Smith (right) was found guilty of Felony Murder in the Second Degree for killing 28-year-old Lee Houpe According to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, Houpe was standing in a friend’s driveway at 615 Post Avenue around 1:45 p.m. when Smith pulled up in a car, got out, and opened fire—shooting him three times, as Daily Voice previously reported Smith stood over him and fired seven more rounds into his face and arm before fleeing the scene in his vehicle by members of the Suffolk County Police Department and the U.S Marshals New York/New Jersey Fugitive Task Force He was extradited back to New York in August 2022 Following a jury trial before Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei Smith was convicted of the following on Monday Smith is scheduled for sentencing on Wednesday He is represented by attorney Jonathan Manley The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Elena Tomaro and Veronica McMahon Detective Michael Ronca of the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad led the investigation A housing lottery is open through April 29 for The Grove in East Patchogue Long Islanders searching for apartments can apply for one of 38 units in East Patchogue that will be available at below-market rents as part of a housing lottery open through April 29 with rents ranging from $1,575 for a one-bedroom to $3,076 for a three-bedroom unit depending on an applicant’s income and household size Individuals applying for the building's most affordable one-bedroom units can earn up to $65,640 while a family of four earning up to $140,580 could qualify for the priciest three-bedroom “This project is designed to be affordable to not just one particular group of people but three tiers of incomes,” said Allison Ekblom vice president of development at Glen Cove-based Georgica Green Ventures The Grove, which cost about $35 million to build, is the latest project tied to the revitalization of East Patchogue, which got a boost last year when the state committed $2 million for a cultural arts center in the hamlet retail and all things business across Long Island By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy Long Island has the greatest percentage of renters that pay at least 30% of their incomes toward housing costs of any region in the state according to a report published last year by state Comptroller Thomas P The new apartments will bring new residents to East Patchogue which is needed to attract retailers to the area's downtown a board member at civic organization Focus East Patchogue “These housing units will bring people into the community and you need people to help raise up an area — people to be out walking people to be on the streets patronizing local businesses,” he said “All those things make for a vibrant community.” Amenities at the building include a children’s playroom and a fitness center Ekblom credited Georgica Green’s property management for helping it maintain relationships with local communities and win support for building additional housing in areas such as the Town of Southampton “The key is having a presence — having staff walking around the property staff cleaning up garbage and maintaining the appearance of the buildings,” she said Rents at The Grove range from $1,575 for a one-bedroom to $3,076 for a three-bedroom unit The 55-unit building also has 17 units set aside for survivors of domestic violence They will have access to on-site support services from nonprofit New Ground and New Ground will coordinate placement of clients who need housing The lack of affordable housing on Long Island creates dangerous situations for domestic violence survivors who cannot afford to move to new homes The new apartments will give individuals a chance to focus on other aspects of their lives such as going back to school or getting ahead at work “The Grove is a model that needs to be repeated because there’s not enough affordable housing on Long Island I mean for the lowest-income individuals that are trying to climb out of poverty and still want a safe and good place for their children to grow up,” Boyle said People with a mobility-related disability will receive priority for six of the units while individuals with a hearing or vision disability will receive priority for three units The Grove will also include 1,000 square feet of ground-floor retail which Georgica Green hopes to lease to a grab-and-go food establishment and a public plaza on the corner of East Main Street and Grove Street will have outdoor seating Financing for the project included $21.1 million from federal and state low-income housing tax credits as well as $2.4 million from New York State Homes and Community Renewal Suffolk County also contributed $1.8 million in acquisition and infrastructure loans The apartments at The Grove exemplify how new affordable housing can boost economic development in an area commissioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewals “Communities across Long Island need homes that are attainable for people at all income levels and in all stages and phases of life,” she said Lottery applications are available online at ggvllc.com/lottery Trump's influence on NY's future .. Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories The Newsday app makes it easier to access content without having to log in Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months NY — Detectives are seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect they say burglarized Sumou in East Patchogue back in December Police say a man broke a window with a brick and went inside the Montauk Highway restaurant then left through a side door and rode away on a bicycle the man can be seen wearing a hooded sweatshirt under a jacket and baggy pants The crime has been classified grand larceny Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information leading to an arrest in the case Anyone with information can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS which can be downloaded through the App Store Tips can also be submitted online at www.P3Tips.com Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Suspects arrested in connection with the charges in the missing teen indictment Multiple individuals have been indicted on allegations of child sex trafficking kidnapping and rape in connection with the 25-day disappearance of a 14-year-old East Patchogue girl who was found on a boat in January 2025 at 8:41 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Two people were hurt when a car struck a pole in East Patchogue on Thursday NY — Two people were hurt when a car struck a pole in East Patchogue on Thursday Both the driver and a passenger were taken to NYU Langone Hospital in East Patchogue for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries 2025 at 3:00 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Four people were taken to NYU Langone - Suffolk in East Patchogue after they were involved in a three-vehicle crash on Sunrise Highway on Saturday NY — Four people were taken to NYU Langone - Suffolk in East Patchogue after they were involved in a three-vehicle crash on Sunrise Highway on Saturday a 2004 Toyota sedan driven by a female driver that was traveling westbound slid on the wet roadway and crossed to the eastbound side of Sunrise Highway between exits 54 and 55 where it struck two other vehicles The vehicles included a 2013 Toyota pickup which was driven by a male driver and had one male passenger They received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries Police have made an arrest in the fatal East Patchogue apartment complex stabbing on Sunday He is charged with second-degree murder for allegedly killing Justin Evans of Bay Shore during a fight inside Heatherwood Lakeside Village Luxury Apartments Lee is scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on Tuesday to be arraigned on the murder charge He was held overnight at Suffolk’s Third Precinct police responded to the apartment complex after receiving a 911 call regarding a fight had been taken by a private vehicle to NYU Langone Hospital – Suffolk about a quarter of a mile away The victim was pronounced dead a short time later Heatherwood Communities notes that its East Patchogue apartment complex offers one- and two-bedroom apartments and resort-style amenities Tap here to see what’s happening A 22-year-old Bay Shore man died after he was stabbed Sunday night during a fight at Heatherwood Lakeside Village apartment complex in East Patchogue Suffolk County police responded to 9 Pondview Drive about 8 p.m on Sunday after receiving a 911 call regarding a fight who was stabbed in the neck during the altercation had been taken by private vehicle to NYU Langone Hospital – Suffolk about a quarter of a mile away Evans was pronounced dead a short time later Suffolk Police Homicide Squad detectives are asking anyone with information to contact them at 631.852.6392 or call Crime Stoppers at 1.800.220.TIPS Heatherwood Communities says that its East Patchogue apartment complex offers one- and two-bedroom apartments and resort-style amenities Top images: GLI file photo (inset) and Google Maps (main) A worker grabs a chicken for slaughter in a poultry store in New York on Feb geese and shorebirds found dead on an East Patchogue beach are likely positive for bird flu state Department of Environmental Conservation officials said late Wednesday Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has already been found in birds in the area so people should “strongly consider” these birds are positive While fatal to birds, humans are still at low risk of falling ill to HPAI according to local experts and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Anyone who has had "close contact" with sick or dead wild birds should contact their state health department and watch out for symptoms that include fever a private community between Patchogue and Bellport said in an interview Wednesday night that he had seen the birds at a beach often used by community members near the end of Ocean Avenue and Shore Road Get the latest stories every week about health and wellness covering topics from medicine and mental health to updates on the coronavirus and new research Since the start of this outbreak in 2022, 70 people across the country have tested positive for bird flu and one individual from Louisiana died That person was over the age of 65 with underlying health conditions and had a backyard flock Most of the people who contracted the virus worked with poultry or dairy cows that were infected the virus cannot be spread from person to person So far in 2025, initial results from Cornell University’s Wildlife Health Laboratory are "presumptive positive" for 128 birds in 37 counties, the DEC said. Confirmation from the USDA lab is pending. Since the start of the outbreak, 485 wild birds have tested positive for HPAI in New York State "These only represent cases brought to DEC’s attention and collected by DEC staff," the agency said "The number of dead birds statewide is much higher Finding HPAI in wild birds is common, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture The agency has confirmed the virus in over 12,000 wild birds 166 million birds from backyard and commercial poultry flocks 973 cases of cattle and other mammals since 2022 The virus is often transmitted from wild birds to poultry flocks, the USDA said. An outbreak at Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue last month resulted in its entire flock of 99,000 being euthanized who works for Suffolk County Water Authority his wife and two young children went to the beach to take a walk They stopped when they saw the carcasses: “They were everywhere Then they notified authorities and sent a text alert to community members warning them to keep their dogs off the beach he watched a duck twitch on the shore before wading into the water and swimming in circles Neighbors on some canals had also reported seeing dead ducks float past their properties 2024 at 9:59 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A 28-year-old man was grazed by a bullet fired during a fight with a group of people in East Patchogue early Christmas morning NY — A 28-year-old man was "grazed by a bullet" fired during a fight with a group of people in East Patchogue early Christmas morning It is unclear if the shooting was inside or outside Further details were not immediately available was taken to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue for treatment Wildlife officials are looking into a report of 20 dead ducks geese and seagulls on a community beach in East Patchogue where the bird flu was previously detected the state Department of Environmental Conservation confirmed on Thursday “The public should strongly consider that groups of birds found deceased are HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) positive and should follow CDC safety protocols to reduce contact,” the DEC said in a statement to Greater Long Island The DEC was notified by a resident of the Patchogue Shores neighborhood Greater Long Island has been made aware of five dead black birds seen under the train testle in East Islip earlier this week Such sightings are part of a region-wide increase in reports of dead birds the New York State Cooperative Wildlife Health Program (WHP) is monitoring the occurrence and impact of the bird flu across the state initial test results from Cornell University’s Wildlife Health Laboratory are presumptive positive for 128 birds in 37 New York counties “These only represent cases brought to DEC’s attention and collected by DEC staff,” the DEC said in its statement “The number of dead birds statewide is much higher “HPAI is widespread in wild birds and mammals so not all reports will result in DEC retrieving the animals for testing and/or disposal,” the DEC said “The public can help minimize risk and limit disease spread by preventing contact between domestic animals and wild birds “In cases where DEC field staff are not responding to collect samples or carcasses from the landscape the public should limit contact with dead wildlife and keep domestic animals away If removal of carcasses is deemed necessary the public is reminded to wear disposable gloves HPAI has hit hard on Long Island. Last month, Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue — the last large commercial duck operation on Long Island — was forced to cull 99,000 ducks due to a bird flu outbreak among its flock. The measure has the farm struggling to remain in business You can click here to report observations of dead birds to the DEC The DEC advises that carcasses should be triple bagged in garbage or contractor bags People remain at low risk of falling ill to HPAI despite the widespread prevalence in birds according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Confirmed avian flu cases are listed on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA )website and shown on the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) map 2024 at 7:53 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A vehicle crashed into South Country Deli and bolted from the scene without stopping early Saturday morning (Peggy Spellman Hoey / Patch Media)EAST PATCHOGUE NY — A vehicle crashed into South Country Deli and bolted from the scene without stopping early Saturday morning The vehicle struck the north side of the deli The deli's front facade remained boarded up as of Sunday afternoon Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers confidential hotline at 1-800-220-TIPS 2025 at 5:25 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The public should strongly consider that the roughly 20 ducks and shorebirds found dead on a beach in East Patchogue had bird flu because Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has already been found in birds in the area (Peggy Spellam Hoey / Patch Media)LONG ISLAND NY — The public should strongly consider the roughly 20 ducks and shorebirds found dead on a beach in East Patchogue had bird flu because Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been found in other birds in the area the state's Department of Environmental Conservation said which is assessing a report from the location on Wednesday said the public should follow Centers for Disease Control safety protocols to reduce contact Both Nassau and Suffolk counties have positive results for HPAI prevailing winds have likely caused a larger number of shorebirds to wash ashore on Long Island’s south shore beaches; however cases of HPAI are distributed throughout the region Patchogue Shores Vice President Tim Jones told Newsday that he saw the birds at a beach often used by community members near the end of Ocean Avenue and Shore Road Last month, Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue euthanized around 100,000 ducks after the virus was found there An online reporting system for possible observations of sick birds was subsequently launched on the DEC's website DEC’s field response is guided by the report’s details including the number of sick or dead birds The dead birds in East Patchogue only represent cases brought to DEC’s attention and collected by DEC staff and the number of dead birds statewide is much higher initial test results from Cornell University’s Wildlife Health Laboratory are presumptive positive for 128 birds in 37 counties Confirmation from the United States Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratories is pending Confirmed cases are listed on the department's website and shown on the United States Geological Survey map. The state’s Cooperative Wildlife Health Program is monitoring the occurrence and impact of HPAI across the state Of particular interest are reports of suspected outbreaks in all species of waterfowl when testing can help DEC track HPAI prevalence on the landscape HPAI is widespread in wild birds and mammals so not all reports will result in DEC retrieving the animals for testing and/or disposal the public can help minimize risk and limit disease spread by preventing contact between domestic animals and wild birds In cases where DEC field staff are not responding to collect samples or carcasses from the landscape and to avoid direct contact with the carcass or carcass fluids by using a shovel and washing hands and clothing immediately after with soap and hot water Carcasses should be triple-bagged with garbage or contractor bags and placed in an outdoor trash receptacle 2025 at 8:02 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The fatal stabbing happened on Sunday NY — A Long Island man has been arrested after fatally stabbing another man in the neck during a fight Antwane Lee, 31, of Bay Shore, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder on Tuesday night for stabbing and killing Justin Evans, 22, of Bay Shore, at an apartment complex on Pondview Drive in East Patchogue at around 8 p.m Evans was transported in a private vehicle to NYU Langone Hospital – Suffolk in Patchogue before officers arrived and was pronounced dead a short time later Lee was held overnight at the Third Precinct and is slated to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Wednesday Sixty-one-year-old Islip resident Robert Eccleston does not face any new charges in a superseding indictment unsealed last week so his appearance in court on Monday was a formality who has been charged with second-degree kidnapping two counts of second-degree rape and endangering the welfare of a child He has been ordered to remain in custody in lieu of $1 million bail Eccleston is due back in court on April 30 In the superseding indictment, 11 people, including Daniel Soto and Anthony Wright, have been charged in connection with the teen's disappearance, News 12 reported Soto, 36, and Wright are charged with rape and endangering the welfare of a child is accused of aggravated patronizing a minor for prostitution The crimes are reported to have happened at Wright's Amityville home on Silverpine Drive Out of the 13 people reportedly arrested in connection with the case The first arrest in the case was that of Francis Buckheit his defense attorney Danielle Marie Papa of Hauppauge said The second person arrested was Bunice Knight with investigators alleging he had sex with the girl inside of his house hours before she was found Others arrested reportedly included Daniel Burke, 63, of Bohemia, and Eccleston who were reportedly arrested with investigators alleging they kidnapped the teen and held her at their homes A 20-year-old from Medford, Kevin McDonald was also reportedly arrested in connection with the case Two women were also reportedly charged on Jan. 24 with child trafficking in the case — Elizabeth Hunter, 34, of Islip, and Jacquelyn Comiskey, 52, of Bellport — for using the teen for money and drugs from men Seven men and two women will answer a 75-count indictment containing updated charges, including child sex trafficking, kidnapping, and rape, Newsday reported Thirty-five-year-old Bellport resident Alton Harrell who is alleged to have picked the teen up at her house on Dec faces the most serious upgrade with a new top charge of first-degree kidnapping Other arrests in connection with the case include that of Ralph Knowles, 63, and Rebecca Browell Online court records show that the nine previously indicted in connection with the case includes not only Knowles Also previously arrested in the case was DeShaun McClean has been accused of having sexual contact with the teen between Jan 23 at a children's mental health facility that she was staying at in Suffolk after she was found was the 12th person arrested on a felony charge of second-degree rape and endangering the welfare of a child Editor's note: The teen's name is being withheld to protect her identity as a minor 2025 at 8:02 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Three people were taken to the hospital after a fire broke out inside an East Patchogue home on Wednesday night NY — Three people were taken to the hospital after a fire broke out inside an East Patchogue home on Wednesday night The fire started at the South Lenox Avenue home just before 8 p.m. The three people were taken to Stony Brook University Hospital for possible smoke inhalation Arson Section detectives responded to the scene but the fire has been deemed non-suspicious in nature 2024 at 12:57 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Suffolk police are investigating an incident between an employee and at least two three-year-old children at Way To Grow Child Care and Learning Center in East Patchogue on Oct NY — Suffolk police are investigating an incident between an employee and at least two three-year-old children at Way To Grow Child Care and Learning Center in East Patchogue on Oct Child Protective Services has been notified The daycare center has been cooperative with the investigation The grandmother of one of the children told News12 her grandson was on camera being thrown twice His mother was notified immediately and went to the school to watch the footage said the center has been "a trusted provider of quality affordable child care" in the greater Patchogue community for over 23 years management was made aware of an isolated incident involving an employee’s inappropriate physical conduct toward children," he wrote did not fulfill their legal obligation to report it All three individuals were immediately terminated." The center is "fully cooperating with law enforcement and child welfare authorities as they conduct a thorough investigation into this unfortunate matter," he added "We want to assure our families and the community that the well-being of the children in our care is our top priority," he continued "The children involved in this matter did not sustain any lasting harm and required no medical attention." Grossman said there has never been a similar incident at the center and "we are committed to ensuring it never happens again." The center's management is now implementing measures "to strengthen" their "oversight and maintain a safe nurturing environment for all children," according to Grossman The measures include increased monitoring of day-to-day classroom activities through enhanced in-person supervision and video surveillance as well as enhanced training for all staff with an emphasis on "the importance of promptly reporting any concerns to management," he said They also include regular audits of incident reporting processes to ensure compliance with state-mandated requirements and the creation of a confidential hotline for parents and staff to report concerns directly to management "We remain dedicated to the safety and well-being of the children and families we serve and will continue to work diligently to earn the trust of our community," he concluded Three weeks after dropping a loaded handgun during brawl inside Smith Haven Mall an East Patchogue teen was indicted Monday on felony weapons charges Suffolk District attorney Raymond Tierney said is charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of criminal possession of a firearm all felony charges connected to the Lake Grove incident on Black Friday Tierney emphasized the dangerous nature of the incident noting it could have had disastrous consequences “A loose loaded gun and a hot-tempered brawl in a crowded mall on Black Friday – this incident was just one breath away from becoming a total nightmare,” he said “We will be seeking a prosecution outcome that is commensurate with the dreadful potential of this incident in order to deter anyone and everyone from following in these footsteps.” Elting allegedly became involved in a fight in the mall’s busy food court a loaded 9 mm handgun fell out of Elting’s pocket and onto the floor A bystander managed to kick the weapon away from Elting and another witness placed it in a safe location until Suffolk County Police arrived Several witnesses captured footage of the incident on their cell phones showing Elting searching frantically for the weapon The video evidence allowed police to quickly identify and apprehend him Tierney’s office stressed that a subsequent examination of the firearm revealed that not only was the weapon loaded but it also had a round chambered — meaning it was ready to be fired Tierney’s office had requested bail in the amount of $30,000 cash Elting was arraigned on the present indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S or $500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count 2025 at 9:14 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}She later died at the hospital NY — A woman was killed in a single-vehicle crash in East Patchogue Friday night the crash took place in the eastbound Sunrise Highway service road at Gazzola Drive at about 8:50 p.m was driving a 2023 Nissan Sentra on the service road when the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a wooded area Lovetro was transported to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue The vehicle was impounded for a safety check Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to contact the Fifth Squad at 631-854-8552 An attorney for one of eight men accused of raping a 14-year-old East Patchogue girl aboard a boat in Islip argued Tuesday that her client was charged only after Suffolk police showed the girl an image of him that was larger than others in the photo array Attorney Katherine Fernandez told a judge that the altered photo array and previous statements by the teen that never mentioned client Daniel Soto greatly reduce the likelihood of his conviction and are grounds for him to be released from jail without bail "The people’s case and the evidence at this stage are extremely weak at best," Fernandez told acting Supreme Court Justice Karen Wilutis during a contentious arraignment in Riverhead Wilutis ultimately determined monetary bail was necessary to assure Soto’s return to court given the lengthy sentence he could face if convicted and his prior criminal history which includes past failures to appear in court She set bail at $250,000 cash or $750,000 bond lower than the $500,000 or $1 million prosecutors had requested is one of 11 defendants charged in an 83-count indictment related to the teen’s 25-day disappearance from Dec He is charged with second-degree rape and endangering the welfare of a child Charges against other defendants in the case include kidnapping and child sex trafficking Fernandez said Soto’s name and the allegations against him were not mentioned in an initial seven-page sworn statement by the teen whom Newsday has not identified since she is a minor and the alleged victim of sex crimes The teen gave that statement to police after she was found on the yacht at White Cap Marina in Islip Jan after another defendant in the case identified Soto as someone who sold crack cocaine to the boat occupants The defense lawyer said during the arraignment that the teen made that allegation only after a Suffolk detective showed her a photo array in which Soto’s image was the only one "zoomed in and resized," compared to other images A detective noted the photo was altered on a form about the array Fernandez said the teen’s statement regarding the photo array which she will seek to have excluded from trial is the only evidence prosecutors have submitted alleging Soto had sex with the teen She also questioned the credibility of the girl as a witness citing her involvement as a victim in other criminal cases who did not address the issue of the photo array said her involvement in other cases was not relevant in determining bail and accused Fernandez of "victim shaming." "There’s been no indication that this victim has been disingenuous," Castaldo told Wilutis about the girl Fernandez said the law permits her to attack the credibility of a witness whose statement is the basis of her client’s arrest Castaldo alleged Soto was invited to the boat by co-defendant Elizabeth Hunter who she said took explicit images of the teen that she shared with others to entice them to engage in sexual acts with the girl in exchange for drugs admitted to detectives that he saw her naked on the boat and commented on one of her body parts But Fernandez said police video shows investigators never shared an image of the girl during a three-hour interrogation with Soto to confirm he knew her She said the comment about the teen’s body was first made by a detective who was also scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday had his appearance rescheduled to next Tuesday due to health issues Follow the latest developments in the Gilgo Beach killings investigation Police have announced an arrest in the fatal stabbing of a 22-year-old man at a Long Island apartment complex has been charged with second-degree murder in the Sunday March 30 incident that left Justin Evans dead at the apartments on Pondview Drive in East Patchogue Lee will be held overnight at the Third Precinct and is scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on April 2 Officers responded to the Heatherwood apartments in East Patchogue located just steps from NYU Langone Hospital they located Evans suffering from a stab wound to his neck was driven by private vehicle to NYU Langone Anyone with information is asked to contact the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS Additional details about Evans’ life were not immediately available. Loved ones are invited to share a statement, funeral details, and/or photos by emailing mmashburn@dailyvoice.com A 22-year-old man was stabbed to death during a fight at a Long Island apartment complex The Heatherwood apartments in East Patchogue they located Justin Evans suffering from a stab wound to his neck No suspects had been arrested as of Monday afternoon Investigators did not speculate on a possible motive for the killing The charges include three counts of second-degree rape aggravated patronizing a minor for prostitution Anthony Wright a 40-year-old Amityville electrician and lifelong resident of Suffolk adding that much of the prosecution's case is based on her testimony and she lacks credibility as a teenager "He vehemently denies having any personal relationship or any sex with this woman," Wright’s attorney," he added and $3.5 million partially secured surety bond and he is due back in court on May 12 In the superseding indictment, 11 people, including Wright, have been charged in connection with the teen's disappearance, News 12 reported has also been charged with rape and endangering the welfare of a child The first arrest in the case was that of Francis Buckheit Others arrested reportedly included Daniel Burke, 63, of Bohemia, and Robert Eccleston Prosecutors also reportedly allege Jacquelyn Comiskey of Bellport took the girl to a house in Copiague on Jan where she traded her for crack cocaine to a man who is accused of raping her A 20-year-old from Medford, Kevin McDonald Seven men and two women will answer a 75-count indictment containing updated charges, including child sex trafficking, kidnapping, and rape, Newsday reported Thirty-five-year-old Bellport resident Alton Harrell Other arrests in connection with the case include that of Ralph Knowles, 63, and Rebecca Browell Online court records show that the nine previously indicted in connection with the case includes not only Knowles, but Buckheit, Eccleston, Burke, Harrell, McDonald, Elizabeth Hunter Also previously arrested in the case was DeShaun McClean The father of the girl plans to sue a children's mental health facility over the violation of her constitutional rights A Long Island man was formally charged with stabbing a 24-year-old man to death outside an apartment complex was fatally stabbed during a confrontation at the Heatherwood apartments in East Patchogue on Sunday was indicted for second-degree murder in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday repeatedly outside the Heatherwood Apartments on Pond View Drive in East Patchogue on Sunday Suffolk County Police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a man bleeding heavily and banging on doors for help Evans had been stabbed during an altercation with Lee and collapsed while pleading for assistance He was eventually driven by private vehicle to nearby NYU Langone Hospital where trauma surgeons attempted lifesaving measures An investigation found that Lee and Evans got into an altercation and Lee stabbed Evans in the neck and torso with a large serrated hunting knife according to the Suffolk County DA’s office Lee then drove Evans to the emergency department at NYU Langone Hospital located directly across the street from the apartments He later turned himself in to Suffolk County Police Detectives recovered the blood-soaked murder weapon at the crime scene Lee was remanded to the Suffolk County jail without bail while his case proceeds He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted 2025 at 7:15 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The owner of a pizzeria is speaking out in hopes his words will help others in the community by highlighting the recent robbery of his delivery man in what he believes is part of a pattern NY — The owner of a pizzeria is speaking out in hopes his words will help others in the community by highlighting the recent robbery of his delivery man in what he believes is part of a pattern The delivery man was robbed of some cash and credit cards by someone who displayed what appeared to be a gun at around 8 p.m who does not want his last name used owns The Pizza Shoppe in East Patchogue said he and his family keep in tune with the greater Patchogue community and care about it "I think people should be aware," he told Patch on Thursday, adding that it was the second robbery within a week and he believes it was "pattern-making." A Chinese food delivery man was robbed on Feb The Pizza Shoppe's employee was dispatched to the location for a delivery He is not being identified because he is the victim of a crime who has owned the South Country Road business for 25 years said he has never had a problem with deliveries before His delivery staff is always on alert anyway but what he considers the seemingly "pre-planned" nature of the robbery has given him cause for some concern and thousands and thousands of trips — and never," he said He said it reminded him of a news story several years ago about a spate of gas stations and 7-Elevens that were robbed He thought: "Why doesn't someone go around the community and tell everybody?" Anyone with information about the robbery can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS 2025 at 7:54 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Staffers are assessing reports of dead birds on Mother’s Beach in Bellport and Shirley Beach in Shirley from over the weekend the state Department of Environmental Conservation said (Peggy Spellman Hoey / Patch Media)LONG ISLAND NY — Staffers are assessing reports of dead birds on Mother’s Beach in Bellport Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been previously detected in the area, so the public should "strongly consider that groups of birds" found dead are positive and should follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention safety protocols to reduce contact the agency said that the public should strongly consider the roughly 20 ducks and shorebirds found dead on a beach in East Patchogue had bird flu because it was found in other birds in the area The state's Cooperative Wildlife Health Program is monitoring the occurrence and impact of HPAI across the state The cases only represent those brought to the DEC’s attention and collected by its staff The number of dead birds statewide is much higher Observations can be reported on the DEC’s website a field response is guided by the report’s details and observations from new areas where HPAI has not yet been documented which as species that are known HPAI vectors when testing can help the DEC track HPAI prevalence on the landscape The public can help minimize risk and limit disease spread by preventing contact between domestic animals and wild birds Direct contact with the carcass or carcass fluids should be avoided by using a shovel and washing hands and clothing immediately after with soap and hot water 2025 at 6:15 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle in East Patchogue on Friday night NY — A pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle in East Patchogue on Friday night driven by a 22-year-old Patchogue resident when it struck a pedestrian at around 10:45 p.m. The 5th Squad in Patchogue is investigating Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 631-854-8552 A convicted sex offender is accused of harassing an underage girl outside a Long Island convenience store at the 7-Eleven store located near Montauk Highway and Bay Avenue Suffolk County Police said 37-year-old Ronald Rios made sexual comments to a 13-year-old girl he allegedly continued making sexual comments Detectives with the Suffolk County Police Department’s Special Victims Section identified the suspect as Rios He was arrested on suspicion of endangering the welfare of a child A 73-year-old bicyclist was hospitalized with serious injuries after being struck by a pickup truck in East Patchogue Suffolk County police announced on Saturday was riding on Montauk Highway near County Road 101 when a westbound 2013 Ford pickup truck driven by 68-year-old Norman Kurrass Green was rushed to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue for treatment of his injuries The pickup truck was impounded for a safety check and the Fifth Squad is continuing its investigation Tips leading to an arrest may result in a reward of up to $5,000 Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Fifth Squad at 631-854-8552  Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-220-TIPS or using the P3 Tips app Roshanne Marks grabbed the arms of two three-year-old children and dragged them and struck the back of another three-year-old child's head at the daycare center on Oct She was arrested and charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child Her arrest came after an investigation by 5th Precinct Crime Section officers of Bohemia will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date said its management was informed of the arrest by the police department "This arrest follows an incident in which the individual handled children in a manner that fell short of our standards for safe and appropriate care," he said Way to Grow management immediately terminated the employee as well as two other staff members who witnessed this conduct but did not meet their obligation to report it as required by law." Grossman said the center's management "fully cooperated with the authorities throughout their investigation and remain dedicated to maintaining a safe "Way to Grow has been a trusted provider of affordable quality child care in the greater Patchogue community for over 23 years with a longstanding commitment to the well-being of our families," he said Grossman previously told Patch that there has never been a similar incident at the center A 29-year-old man was busted driving drunk with an infant in his car on Long Island was stopped by Nassau County Police after committing multiple vehicle and traffic law violations on Parsons Avenue in Freeport shortly after midnight Thursday Officers initiated a traffic stop near Lakeview Avenue After reportedly failing a field sobriety test officers found a 1-year-old boy who was not injured The infant was released into the custody of a family member who was also a passenger Zambrano was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated under New York’s Leandra’s Law He was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child Leandra’s Law makes it a felony to drive while intoxicated with a child under the age of 16 in the vehicle First-time offenders face up to four years in prison with harsher penalties for repeat offenses or if a child is injured or killed Officially known as the Child Passenger Protection Act the law was named after 11-year-old Leandra Rosado who was killed in a drunk driving crash on Manhattan’s Henry Hudson Parkway in October 2009 of Islip is accused of spending a week on the boat where the teen was found and is alleged to have taken nude and sexually explicit photographs of her that she used to advertise her for sex in exchange for drugs and money Hunter was charged with promoting an obscene sexual performance of a child and child endangerment Comiskey's arraignment information was not immediately available Both women are being held in the custody of the Suffolk County Correctional Facility a spokeswoman for Sheriff Errol Toulon's office said Wednesday Patch has reached out to Burke's defense attorney Daniel Burke, 63, of Bohemia, and Robert Eccleston, 61, of Islip, were reportedly arrested Friday with investigators alleging they kidnapped the teen and held her at their homes "where she was unlikely to be found" between around 5 p.m Burke kept the teen at his home on Valley Forge Drive and had sex with her there while Eccleston is accused of having sex with her twice inside a detached garage behind his home on Monell Avenue where he is alleged to have her at some point over the three days Burke pleaded not guilty to first-degree kidnapping Eccleston pleaded not guilty to second-degree rape and kidnapping or $5 million partially secured surety bond Both Burke and Eccleston are being held at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility a spokeswoman for Errol Toulon said Monday Burke and Eccleston had temporary restraining orders were issued against them and they are due back in court on Wednesday declined to comment.Burke is reportedly being represented by Oscar Crisafio Three men were arrested in connection with the case in recent weeks, the first being Francis Buckheit his defense attorney Danielle Marie Papa of Hauppauge confirmed He was charged with second-degree rape and first-degree kidnapping works with tools and had been living on a boat full-time before his arrest "He maintains his innocence and will fight the charges vigorously," she said.Bunice Knight was also charged in connection with the case Last week, Alton Harrell was charged with second-degree rape and kidnapping told Patch that he does not believe that his client was involved in kidnapping and that prosecutors will not be able to prove it "My review of the paperwork that was provided to me and was not held against her will by my client," he said.He declined to reveal any details about Harrell "It's my understanding that [prosecutors] are in the process of presenting all matters relating to this investigation to a Grand Jury," he said "My client is remaining incarcerated because [prosecutors] have certified that they've presented enough evidence to secure an indictment against him." "I'm awaiting an advisement from the courts as to when or where an arraignment of my client might take place on an indictment," he added Suffolk police previously told Patch that the teen was found in Islip "in good health," but did not release further details about the circumstances instead only saying that the investigation is continuing 2025 at 7:48 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}​ A Ronkonkoma woman was charged with prostitution during a raid on a massage parlor at Twins Spa in East Patchogue on Monday NY — A Ronkonkoma woman was charged with prostitution during a raid on a massage parlor at Twins Spa in East Patchogue on Monday A search warrant was undertaken at the Montauk Highway spa and arrested the 56-year-old just before 6 p.m. and charged her with prostitution and fourth-degree promoting prostitution and she is scheduled for arraignment in First District Court in Central Islip on Feb which was conducted in response to numerous community complaints Brookhaven Town's Fire Marshal's office issued multiple summonses to the business and deemed it unsafe the office's of Brookhaven's building inspector and code enforcement as well as Crime Section officers from the 5th Precinct in Patchogue and detectives from the District Attorney's office took part in the raid