2 Charged In Fatal Stabbing Of Man In Suffolk: Police

PORT JEFFERSON STATION, NY — Two people were arrested Sunday in connection with the fatal stabbing of a man in Port Jefferson Station in 2021, Suffolk police said.

Jose Martinez-Vazquez, 24, and Tiffany Diaz-Cabrera, 20, both of Port Jefferson Station, face murder charges after Homicide Squad detectives said they killed Benjamin Flores-Mendez, 39, of Port Jefferson Station.

Flores-Mendez was found dead on Greenway Trail, near Clifton Place, on June 17, 2021, police said.

Martinez-Vazquez was arrested at 2 p.m., police said. Diaz-Cabrera was arrested at 9:18 p.m., police said. The two, who share a residence, were each charged with second-degree murder.

Martinez-Vazquez was held overnight at the Sixth Precinct. Diaz-Cabrera was held overnight at the Fourth Precinct. Both are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Monday.

The trail, which runs from Port Jefferson Station to Setauket, is used by hikers and bicyclists.

Charles McAteer, of Friends of the Greenway, told Patch in 2021 that the group "continues to advocate for safety" on the trail, as well as "in the streets of our communities."

"The trail is only officially open dawn to dusk and we encourage people to use the buddy system when utilizing any pathway," he said. "We appreciate the quick response by SCPD and their ongoing investigation in this matter."

Patch's Peggy Spellman Hoey contributed to this report.