Northport Police Blotter: Stolen Stickers, A Slippery Grape and More

The following information was supplied by the Northport Police Department. A criminal charge is only an accusation, and does not indicate convictions.

Police responded to a Highland Avenue home Monday, April 11 at 5:14 p.m. for a report of an unknown subject stealing a bumper sticker off a parked vehicle belonging to resident Robert Doherty. Upon arrival Doherty was holding a 16-year-old Stanton Avenue male for police to interview. Upon further investigation, the male, Thomas Holt, admitted taking the bumper sticker off the vehicle. Police accompanied Thomas Holt to his home to retrieve a previously stolen bumper sticker from Doherty. The property was returned to Doherty, who gave a statement to Sgt. Schramm and signed a 'refusal to prosecute' form.

Police were called to a Goldenrod Avenue home Monday, April 11 at 2:47 p.m. for a report of a seven-year-old male, who had been reportedly kicked on the playground at . The child reported that while on the playground two other juveniles kicked him. His parents inspected their son and noted that he had a few bumps and bruises, but don’t think they are the result of this incident. Ocean Avenue Principal Sabina Larkin was notified, as were the parents of the other juveniles involved. The incident did not rise to the level of criminal activity and no laws appear to have been violated, police said. The following day at 12:45 p.m., the father of the first juvenile contacted police again stating that while bathing his son, an egg-like bump was discovered on his son's head. When asked about how he received the bump, the juvenile said that his head hit a pole as he fell to the ground as a result of the previous incident. His father said that no medical attention was necessary, but he wished the additional information to be added to this report.

A Northport man called police Sunday, April 10 at 8:13 p.m. to report a burglary in progress at The caller stated that there was an occupied car parked in the rear of the location under an open window. Upon arrival, the undersigned found the above listed vehicle, which was occupied by the owner, a 30-year-old Huntington Bay man and a female friend, who were parked and talking to each other. The man stated that he knew the owner of the building and he did make phone contact with said owner to inform about the open window. No further police action necessary.

Senior Harbormaster Anthony Graziano reported Sunday, April 10 at 7:34 p.m. that a large wooden piling was floating in Northport Harbor. The piling was towed in and secured at the baymen's floating dock. Highway Department was notified.

personnel reported Saturday, April 9 at 7:31 that Rosaura Gallardo-Bartoldus, 50, of Stanton Street, had sustained injuries to her left hip and knee from a fall. Aided states she was shopping in the produce section when she slipped on a grape causing her to fall. Northport Rescue responded and transported Bartoldus to Huntington Hospital. No further action necessary.

Police responded to the Gilbert Street Sunday, April 3 for a report of a dispute over a property line. Upon arrival Robert Finnell stated he had his property surveyed and wanted to put a fence on the property line. Next-door neighbor Anthony Naples wanted his neighbor to wait for him to have his property surveyed before putting up the fence. Both parties agreed to wait until both surveys were completed before continuing with any work. No further action needed at this time.

Police received a call Saturday, April 2 at 6:29 a.m. reporting a vehicle parked illegally at Scudder Avenue and School Street in Northport. Police responded and found a 2003 Honda Element owned by Loretta Nicole of Smithtown parked illegally. A summons was issued.

Police responded to Bayview Avenue and Main Street Thursday, April 7 at 6:23 a.m. for a report of a vehicle idling. Upon arrival the undersigned observed a bread delivery truck drive away. No further action necessary.

Police responded to Oak Street Wednesday, April 6 at 3:51p.m.to investigate the report of a loose Shar-Pei dog. Police checked the area and said animal was gone upon arrival.

Police received a call from a  Suffolk County Water Authority employee Wednesday, April 6 at 1:28 p.m. stating that a seven-year-old child was home alone at a Gilbert Street residence.  Police responded to the scene and transported the child to headquarters and contacted the child’s parent who stated that she didn't realize that it was an early dismissal day at Ocean Avenue. The mom responded to police headquarters to retrieve her daughter. No further police action required.

Police received a call Monday, April 4 at 11:17 a.m. reporting that an unknown white male, approximately 73 years of age, with a stocky build, grey or white hair wearing a navy blue or black baseball cap that had an emblem on the front that was possibly a military insignia entered and approached the cash register. The subject requested a refund on a light dimmer he pulled out of a dark-colored plastic bag. When asked why he wanted a refund the subject stated that the electrician had repaired the problem so he was no longer in need of the dimmer. Asked if he had the receipt, the subject stated he did not but it was ok because he shopped there all of the time and never used a credit card. The subject was given $29.32 in cash and left. It was shortly thereafter that the owner realized the item that the subject requested the refund on had simply been pulled off of the shelf and had never been purchased. He also stated that the same thing had just happened in . Police interviewed the co-owner of that store, who stated that a subject fitting the same description had just left her store after approaching the sales counter with a Dr. Scholl’s foot cushion. He requested a refund stating that his orthopedist had manufactured a foot mold for him and didn't need the item any more. He gave the same story about his receipt and shopping there all the time and always paying in cash. He was given a refund of $15.09 and left the store. It was shortly thereafter that the store owners compared incidents and realized it was the same person. Incident forwarded to Det. Pete Hayes for follow-up investigation.

Matthew Dugan, 22, came into police headquarters Sunday, April 3 at 10:30 p.m. to report that to report an unlawful imprisonment. The complainant states that he was sleeping in his apartment located on Scudder Avenue when he was woken up by a subject known to him as Bill, yelling and screaming, “Where is my f#$!ing gun?” Bill, who was later identified as William Merschoff, 48, of Ronkonkoma, would not let either he or his roommate, Adam Landry, 22, leave the apartment. Matthew called a neighbor so she could cause a distraction he could make a run to the police department. Merschoff repeatedly threatened both subjects by indicating he would cause them physical harm if they tried to get away. At one point, a neighbor, Barbara Desmond, came to the victims’ apartment and requested help moving furniture in her apartment. Both Dugan and Landry responded to assist Desmond and it was at this time that Dugan jumped out of a second-story window and ran directly to headquarters. The defendant was contacted via cell phone and responded to headquarters where he was placed under arrest. Statements were taken from the victims and the defendant was processed then arraigned by Judge Paul H. Senzer.

Police were called to the parking lot next to 197 Laurel Avenue Sunday, April 3 at 7:42 p.m. for a report of criminal mischief. Complainant Annmarie Weingrad, 42, of Levittown, states she parked her 2008 GMC in the lot at approximately 2:30 p.m. When she returned to her vehicle that evening, she observed that a rock was thrown through the rear driver's side window breaking the glass. She also observed that the words "F#$k you" were scratched into the paint on the driver’s side front fender. Weingrad stated that she believes her boyfriend's ex-wife caused the damage to her vehicle because she has been having issues with her in the past. There were no witnesses to this crime. Case was forwarded to Det. Hayes for follow up who interviewed the ex-wife who said that she and her daughter were at their Foxhollow Road home all day doing yard work. Weingrad then contacted police and advised that she no longer wished to pursue the incident. Police told her to respond to headquarters to sign a refusal to prosecute form. Case closed as victim refused to cooperate with investigation.

A 63-year-old North Road, Northport, man called police Saturday, April 2 at 3:37 p.m. to report that several youths were building a tree fort on public property. The undersigned warned and admonished said youths who agreed to cease this activity and leave the area. Contacted the property owner on Fox Lane, Curtis Winkler, the parent of one of the youths, and explained the situation. Winkler stated he would check the area in his backyard to determine if the youths are on his on property. No further action necessary.

Police responded to the convent at for a report by the residents of a strange noise from the chapel. Police checked location and was unable to locate anything unusual but did note that debris appears to be falling down the chimney and making noise as it fell. Police did advise the Sisters that that could have been the source of the noise and it might be from animals in the chimney. No further police action possible.

owner Artie Berke contacted police Saturday, April 2 at 11:58 p.m. for a report of a possible criminal mischief. Upon arrival Berke reported that two subjects lifted one of his outdoor chairs and waved it over their heads. Jack Delahunty, 17, and Christopher Autz, 17,  were located on Main Street just west of the incident location. Both subjects were warned and admonished regarding touching other people's property. No damage to property observed or reported.

Police responded to a Cherry Street home Saturday, April 2 at 1:41 a.m. for a report of a loud party. Upon arrival, police spoke with Justin Gnieser, 16, who agreed to end the party and have all his houseguests leave for the night. It accomplished without incident.

A 48-year-old Soper Avenue woman called police Saturday, April 2 at 10:48p.m.to report a fight outside of her house. Upon arrival police spoke with the woman who stated two male youths came up to her house and were screaming. Police canvassed the area to no avail. No further action necessary.