(Long Island, NY) A 28 year old Bayshore man is scheduled for arraignment on a grand jury indictment tomorrow (March 19) in Riverhead, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.

Witnesses held Wilfredo Flores for police after he allegedly stabbed Carlos Velasquez to death at 7 Pinewood Avenue on March 9.

When police arrived at the location, they found Velasquez, 40, in the street, mortally wounded with a stab wound. Detectives charged Flores of 50 Jensen Road, Bay Shore, with manslaughter in the first degree.

Judge James Hudson will unseal the indictment.

The court calendar will be called at 9:30 am.

(Long Island, NY) The New York State Senate this week passed legislation to make state legislative proceedings more open and transparent by expanding public access to session, committee meetings, and votes. The bill (S3046C), sponsored by Senator Carl L. Marcellino (R- Syosset), requires th webcasting and archiving of Senate and Assembly committees and hearings and the online posting of votes taken in committees or on the floor.

“The Senate has already taken administrative steps to create a more transparent Legislative body, and this bill formalizes the process by putting it into a law that both houses must abide by,” said Senator Marcellino, Chairman of the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations. “Providing the public with the tools that help them become informed about the legislative process is important, and the Assembly should join us to pass this bill.”

The Senate website – http://www.nysenate.gov/ – enables the public to learn more about their legislative representatives and also includes archived videos of session and committee meetings, and committee and floor vote records. The bill passed this week would require both houses to post this information on their respective websites.

The bill is sponsored in the Assembly (A2097C) by Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi.

(Long Island, NY) “The vast majority of families I represent with children attending college have gone into heavy debt to finance higher education. I firmly believe that any State assistance should be provided to these citizens first. I cannot support assisting illegal immigrants at the expense of struggling Long Island families.

In the Senate, we are working to adopt a major college affordability plan for low and middle-income families. The measure would increase tuition assistance, make more students eligible for TAP, increase tuition tax credits, and make it easier for all students to pay off their loan debt. We included this program in the Senate Budget that we passed last week. We are negotiating with the Governor and the Assembly for inclusion in the final state budget to help residents better afford college.”

(Long Island, NY) “The New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame was created to honor and recognize outstanding veterans from our state who have distinguished themselves both in military and civilian life,” said Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Nassau). “Their service to our nation deserves our gratitude and admiration.”

Senator Hannon is inviting Sixth Senate District residents to nominate a veteran (or veterans) from their community whose service on behalf of our nation designates them for induction into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is designed to pay tribute to New Yorkers whose gallantry in the U.S. Armed Forces is complemented by their service to the community.

“The winner from my district will be honored at a special ceremony in the State Capital in Albany on May 20th, where each honoree’s photograph and biography will become part of a special on-line exhibit proclaiming the contributions of these exemplary New York Veterans,” said Hannon.

Those wishing to nominate a veteran for this special honor should contact Senator Hannon’s Community Office (516-739-1700 or hannon@nysenate.gov) for information and an application. The deadline for submission is April 14.

(Long Island, NY) A 19 year old Bridgehampton man pleaded not guilty to murder charges for the December 25 shooting death of a Patchogue man, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.

Suffolk Homicide Squad detectives arrested Brandon Davis March 7.

19 year old Brandon Davis Bridgehampton man pleaded not guilty to murder charges for the December 25 shooting death of a Patchogue man. Photo Credit: SCPD.

Davis, with codefendants Cesar Figueroa, 19, and Tasheem Carter, 19, both of Mastic, are charged with entering an auto body shop, Whitestar MTR on Cedarhurst Avenue in Medford, to commit a robbery. Taliek Bristel, 19, was shot to death during the confrontation. Bristel, 19, of Patchogue, died at the scene.

Davis is being held in lieu of $500,000 cash bail or one million dollars bond. He’ll return to court on April 23.

(Long Island, NY) Crimes Against Property Squad detectives report the details of four arrests for grand larceny and possession of a skimmer device that occurred in Westbury on Friday, 03/14/13 at 12:10 A.M.

According to detectives, beginning March 1, 2014, while employed as a waitress at Dave and Busters Restaurant located at 1504 Old Country Rd., Tressa Walker, 19, of 234-19 133rd Ave., Rosedale, used a skimming device to obtain credit card information from customer credit cards. The defendant would then pass the information to co-defendants Herve Denis, 23 of 30 Norfolk Dr. E, Elmont, Steven Jackson, 21, of 114-67 197th St., St. Albans, and John Beasley, 22, of 114-52 197th St., St. Albans.

Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Crimes Against Property Squad detectives arrested Walker on Thursday, 03/13/14 at 498 Old Country Rd. in Westbury. She is being charged with Unlawful Possession Skimmer Device 2nd Degree and will be arraigned on Tuesday, 03/25/14. Denis, Jackson and Beasley were arrested and arraigned on Friday, 03/14/14. Denis and Jackson are being charged with Unlawful Possession Skimmer Device 2nd Degree. Jackson is additionally charged with Grand Larceny 4th Degree. Beasley is being charged with four counts of Possession Forged Instrument 2nd Degree. All defendants were or will be arraigned in First District Court, Hempstead.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police today arrested three teens that assaulted a 52-year-old female victim in Brentwood earlier this month.

On March 7 at approximately 3 p.m. a woman was walking along MacArthur Avenue when she was assaulted by three teens that punched her in the head, causing her to fall to the ground. The teens then kicked the victim on her abdomen. The suspects did not steal anything from the victim and there was no altercation prior to the attack. The woman was transported to Southside Hospital where she was treated for a concussion and broken ribs.

Photo Credit: SCPD.

An investigation by Third Precinct Crime Section officers revealed the three teens below were responsible for the attack:

• Wilfredo Torres, 17, of 186 Sherman St., Brentwood
• Wayne Beavers, 16, of 7 20th Ave., Bay Shore
• Qwa Tese Jarvis, 16, of 1593 East Forks Road, Bay Shore

All three were arrested today and charged with Assault 3rd Degree. They will be held overnight at the Third Precinct and are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on March 18.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and the Southampton Town Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a woman who stole an engagement ring late last year.

On November 13, 2013, Christina Botaitis-Lopresti (pictured) stole an engagement ring in East Quogue. Botaitis-Lopresti may be in Patchogue or Sayville, possibly with a male companion, Andrew J. Hill. They may be traveling in Hill’s 2003 silver Saturn Vue, New York license plate GAC1681. Hill, who is not a suspect but is wanted for information, is pictured.

(R to L): Christina Botaitis-Lopresti, Andrew J. Hill. Photo Credit: Southampton Town Police Department.

The duo may be traveling in Hill’s 2003 silver Saturn Vue, New York license plate GAC1681. Photo Credit: Southampton Town Police Department.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

(New York, NY) Under Governor Cuomo’s Open for Fishing and Hunting initiative, a two-day, hands-on program on hunting safety will be offered on April 26 and 27 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Sportsman Education Program, the agency announced today.

“Hunting and fishing are an important part of Long Island’s heritage, and we are very fortunate that the region offers a multitude of diverse and rewarding recreational opportunities,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. “The 2014 Youth Conservation Program is the perfect way to introduce the next generation of sportsmen and women to hunting ethics and teach them how to be responsible hunters from the start. These youth education courses fit right in with Governor Cuomo’s Open for Fishing and Hunting initiative to expand hunting and fishing opportunities in New York State.”

Since 1994 this event has been sponsored by the DEC’s Sportsman Education Program, the New York State Conservation Officers Association and the Peconic River Sportsman’s Club. The Youth Conservation Program will be held at the Peconic River Sportsman’s Club in Manorville.

Each class is limited to 30 participants and selections are made by a panel that reviews a 75-word application. Enrollment in the class is open to all youth between the ages of 12 and 16 who have not yet taken their Hunter Education course. To date approximately 800 students have successfully completed YCP on Long Island.

Participants who successfully complete the program will receive their Hunter Education Training Certificate. This certificate is required in order to purchase a hunting license. For more information or to register for the Youth Conservation Program, contact the DEC Sportsman Education Office at (631) 444-0255.

Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative is an effort to improve recreational activities for sportsmen and sportswomen and to boost tourism opportunities throughout the state. This initiative includes the streamlining of fishing and hunting licensing and reducing license fees, improved access for fishing at various sites across the state and increasing hunting opportunities in various regions. This year, Governor Cuomo unveiled the NYS Adventure License, which allows outdoor enthusiasts, boaters, anglers and hunters to consolidate their recreation licenses and benefits onto their New York State Driver’s License, and the NYS Adventure License Plates, featuring nine plate designs available for free to those buying new lifetime hunting, fishing or park licenses in 2014.

In support of this initiative, this year Governor Cuomo has proposed creating 50 new land access projects to connect hunters, anglers, bird watchers and others who enjoy the outdoors to more than 380,000 acres of existing state and easement lands that have gone untapped until now. These 50 new access projects include building new boat launches, installing new hunting blinds and building new trails and parking areas. In Long Island this includes projects at Rocky Point Natural Resource Management Area, Underhill Unique Area, Kings Park Unique Area and Otis Pike Preserve.

In addition, the Governor’s 2014-15 budget proposes to: include $4 million to repair the state’s fish hatcheries; limit the liability of landowners who allow recreational activities on their properties, which could open up vast, untapped resources for additional hunting, fishing and many other recreational pursuits; and allow crossbow hunting once again in New York State.

(Long Island, NY) The First Squad is investigating a Robbery that occurred on March 18, 2014 at 4:15 AM in Baldwin.

According to detectives, a 18 year old male victim was working as a cashier at the Shamrock Gas Station, 17 West Merrick Road, when a male black wearing dark clothing and a mask entered the store, displayed a black handgun and demanded money. The victim complied and the subject fled the scene on foot eastbound on Merrick Road. Proceeds were an undetermined amount of US currency. There were no reported injuries.

Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding this crime to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.