Smithtown Man Arrested For Damaging Nesconset Cell Tower

Suffolk County police have arrested a Smithtown man for doing more than $100,000 in damages to a cell tower being built in Nesconset.

Ronald Derisi, 68, was arrested on Dec. 1 and charged with second-degree criminal mischief and first-degree tampering. He was issued a ticket and will be arraigned in Central Islip Courts on a future date.

Suffolk County police said they received a phone call on Nov. 28 at approximately 8 a.m. from the Smithtown Highway Department. Workers at 758 Nesconset Highway told officers that someone had cut through feeder cables to the 210-foot tower being built for Metro PCS  between 11 p.m. on Nov. 23 to 6 a.m. on Nov. 28. The cell tower is being constructed on Smithtown Highway Department's land.

Metro PCS representatives said it would cost the company more than $100,000 to repair the damages.

Fourth Squad detectives tracked down and arrested Derisi based on evidence found at the scene of the crime. No specific details on what led detectives to Derisi are available from Suffolk County police at this time.