LI Barber Offered Boy 11, Money To Allow Him To Perform Sexual Act: PD

RIVERHEAD, NY — A Riverhead barber was arrested after he offered an 11-year-old boy money to allow him to perform a sexual act on him, police said.

According to Riverhead Town police, on Tuesday, a report came in that on Monday night, the boy and his father were customers of Larry’s Barbershop, located on East Main Street in Riverhead.

The father, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the child, drank tequila with the barber, later identified as Hilario Hernandez De La Cruz, and subsequently became intoxicated, police said.

Hernandez De La Cruz then attempted to touch the 11-year-old boy, and offered him money to allow him to perform a sexual act on him, police said.

The 11-year-old was able to contact his mother and was removed from the location physically unharmed, police said.

The father was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, police said.

Hernandez De La Cruz was arrested and charged with first-degree attempted sexual abuse, third-degree criminal solicitation, and endangering the welfare of a child, and is being held for arraignment, police said.

Any additional victims are urged to contact the Riverhead Police at 631-727-4500 ext. 312