Suffolk Offers $1K On Unsolved Cases Over Crime Victims' Week

YAPHANK, NY — Suffolk police will be highlighting five unresolved cases — including fatal hit-and-runs and shootings — on the department’s social media pages during National Crime Victims’ Rights week starting Sunday.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 fast-cash reward for information leading to an arrest in each of the cases, and the rewards will be issued within 72 hours of an arrest.

The cases being featured include that of Colin Jerrick who is wanted for fatally shooting Ajala Carpenter-Toney during a Wyandanch party on June 13, 2020, as well as in connection with the murder of Elbert Wright in North Amityville on July 31, 2020, police said.

Another case being highlighted involves 18-year-old Jaifield Gordon, who was found shot dead inside of a 2013 BMW after it crashed into a parked vehicle and fence in front of 55 Beach Dr. in Coram on Sept. 1, 2019, according to police. The shooting had taken place on Judith Drive a short time prior, and Gordon, a Medford resident, was pronounced dead at a local hospital, police said.

Police will also be highlighting two fatal and hit-and-run cases.

Marco Castro, a 32-year-old Patchogue resident was walking on North Ocean Avenue, just south of Roe Boulevard, when he was struck by a motor vehicle that left the scene just before 4 a.m. on Feb. 21, 2021.

In the second hit-and-run, Elvis Galvez Menjivar, 27, of Bay Shore, was struck and killed by a vehicle on eastbound Sunrise Highway in Bay Shore on April 17, 2021, and it was described as a dark-colored SUV, possibly an Acura.

A Commack man was stabbed at his home on Feb. 2 of this year after a fight with a former co-worker, known only to him as "Luis," and the victim spent over a month in the hospital recovering, police said.

"Luis" is described as Hispanic, around 35 years old, about 5 feet 5 inches tall with a medium build and brown hair, and he was last seen leaving the scene in a gray Nissan Xterra with plates from New Jersey, where he has family, according to police.

The Crime Stoppers program has been proven to be an effective crime-solving program since its inception in Suffolk in 1994 — more than $687,000 has been rewarded to tipsters who reported information anonymously with over 2,800 arrests made, according to police.

Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison called the Crime Stoppers partnership essential to the department because it allows people "who may be reluctant to speak to police, to stay anonymous while providing critical information about criminal cases.”

“We hope by highlighting these unsolved cases, someone comes forward with details that will bring justice to these victims and their families," he added.

Crime Stoppers' president Nick Amarr said its members "are dedicated volunteers from the community who work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to reduce crime in our communities."

“While we are featuring these five unsolved cases, we encourage people to come forward with any information about criminal activity that could aid police,” he said.

Anyone with information about a crime can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS, or submit a tip after downloading the P3 tips mobile app. Tips can also be submitted online at www.P3Tips.com.