Son Killed In Mastic House Fire, Parents Hospitalized With Smoke Inhalation
A man died in a house fire that broke out on Overlook Drive in Mastic, Suffolk County Police said on Monday, May 5.
Firefighters were called to 67 Overlook Drive at 6:40 p.m. after 911 callers reported a blaze consuming the home, according to a police release.
Two residents, John Gaeta, 80, and Maryann Gaeta, 81, were able to escape the flames. Their son, Frank Gaeta, 56, was found dead on the back deck, police said.
John and Maryann Gaeta were transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.
Posted by Mastic Beach Fire Department on Monday, Ma…
Neighbor Guilty Of Brutal Execution-Style Shooting Of Long Island Dad
A Long Island man has been convicted of gunning down his former neighbor in a ruthless, broad daylight attack that left a father dead outside a North Bellport home, authorities announced on Monday, May 5, 2025.
Shati Smith, 31, of Bellport, was found guilty of Felony Murder in the Second Degree for killing 28-year-old Lee Houpe, a father who is survived by his children, on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.
According to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, Houpe was standing in a friend’s driveway at 615 Post Avenue around 1:45 p.m. when Smith pulled up in a car, got out, and opened …
Ex-Church Bookkeeper Embezzled $80K From Selden Parish, DA Says
A woman who once handled the books at a Long Island church embezzled nearly $80,000 from the parish, prosecutors alleged.
Stacey Hirsch, 48, formerly of Centereach and now living in Saint Lucie, Florida, was arraigned on grand larceny charges in Suffolk County Court on Friday, May 2, after being extradited from Florida.
Hirsch served as the bookkeeper for Hope Lutheran Church on Dare Road in Selden, according to her Facebook profile. Between June 2022 and May 2023, she wrote unauthorized checks to herself and her husband from the church’s account — then used the money to pay off credi…
Bay Shore Mechanic Ran Cocaine Ring Out Of Garage Business, DA Says
A mechanic is accused of running a cocaine distribution ring out of his Long Island auto shop, prosecutors said.
Uriel Rose, age 41, of Bay Shore, was indicted on over a dozen drug charges in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, April 30, following a 10-month investigation into his Deer Park business, “Beema Boyz.”
The probe began in June 2024, when Suffolk County Police received tips that Rose was using his garage as a front for selling drugs. Undercover officers bought cocaine from him on seven different occasions, prosecutors said.
On Thursday, April 10, detectives executed a search warr…
Rap Videos Bragged Of Teen Shootings, Robberies: 22 Mak Balla Gang Members Indicted
Gang members filmed rap videos bragging about real violence—including 17 shootings, 22 illegal firearms, and over 40 narcotics deals—leading to a 168-count indictment of 22 alleged Mak Balla Family members, Suffolk County prosecutors announced Thursday, May 1.
'MBF 'Til The Death'
The MBF is a subset of the New York Blood Brim Army and operates primarily in the Long Island communities of Mastic, Mastic Beach, Shirley, and Coram. Prosecutors say its members took oaths, followed written gang “paperwork,” and pledged loyalty “MBF ‘til the death,” all while waging violent campaigns to gain terri…
Road Rage Gun Threat In Kings Park Lands Smithtown Man Arrest: Suffolk County Police
A Long Island man is accused of pulling a gun on another driver during a road rage blowup, Suffolk County Police said on Thursday, May 1.
Christopher Tartaglia, 57, was behind the wheel of a BMW X5 on Cortez Drive when he began tailgating a vehicle near Indian Head Road around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, according to police.
The other driver pulled over to let him pass—but instead, Tartaglia stopped, pointed a handgun at him, and threatened him before driving off, investigators said.
The victim called 911, and police arrested Tartaglia shortly after at his home on Neil Drive in Smithtow…
Illegal Spa Busted In Brookhaven: Flushing Women Accused Of Prostitution, Unlicensed Practice
Two women from Flushing are facing criminal charges after a massage parlor raid in Middle Island, Suffolk County police announced on Tuesday, April 29.
Yanmei Huang, 35, and Vivian Gao, 40, were arrested during an investigation conducted by Seventh Precinct Crime Section officers alongside Brookhaven Town Fire Marshals and Code Enforcement Inspectors at Evolve Spa, Inc., located at 831 Middle Country Road, police said.
The pair was charged with Felony Unauthorized Practice of a Profession and Misdemeanor Prostitution, authorities stated.
Huang and Gao were issued desk appearance tickets an…
‘Route Boys’ Leader Behind Tri-State Pharmacy Raids, Jail Stabbing Gets 22 Years
A man who led a violent, drug-dealing burglary crew known as the “Route Boys” will spend over two decades in federal prison.
Jason Liriano, 25, of Brooklyn–also known as “jay bigfella”–was sentenced to 22 years behind bars in Central Islip federal court on Tuesday, April 29. It followed his September 2023 guilty plea to drug trafficking and firearms charges.
Tuesday’s sentencing marked the final chapter in a wide-reaching crime spree that spanned New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Liriano founded the Route Boys gang, which committed more than 100 break-ins at pharmacies, bodegas, chec…
