(Long Island, NY) “If you have a credit card or any line of credit, you’ve probably received ‘convenience checks’ from the banks or financial institutions who issued them, without your having requested them,” said Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Nassau). “When banks send these unsolicited checks, consumers are unaware they’ve been sent, and they can be easy targets for mail theft.”

A new law which took effect on November 13, 2013, prohibits the unsolicited mailing of convenience checks to customers. It also stipulates that consumers who have been sent convenience checks by credit or debit card issuers will not be liable for the use of these checks, unless the consumer has accepted by the check by using it.

“Thieves can get ahold of these checks, and use them before the consumer is even aware they were stolen and fraudulently used,” said Hannon. “By that time, the victim’s credit and bank balance may have taken a serious hit.”

The new law will ensure that consumers are not held liable for any fraudulent use of these convenience checks.

(GARDEN CITY, NY) Ambassador Vladimir Drobnjak, Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United Nations, will give a lecture entitled “EU Enlargement – National, Regional, and Global Impact” on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at 2:30 p.m. in the Alumni House at Adelphi University, 154 Cambridge Ave, Garden City, NY.  The lecture is part of the Ambassador Lecture Series and is co-sponsored by the International Leadership Coordinating Committee and the Department of Political Science.

In addition to serving as the Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United Nations, Ambassador Drobnjak is also the chair of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission. He has previously served as the permanent representative of Croatia to the European Union.

Prior to his diplomatic career, Mr. Drobnjak worked as a United States and United Nations-based correspondent for Croatian daily newspapers Vjesnik and Večernji list, as well as for Croatian radio and television stations. In 1992, he was appointed Deputy Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United Nations. In 1995, he was promoted to the rank of ambassador.

Ambassador Drobnjak received a Juris Doctorate degree from the University Of Zagreb School Of Law in Croatia. In 2013 he received the Order of Duke Trpimir, a Croatian order awarded to officials for merit in contributing to the integrity and international reputation of Croatia.

The lecture will focus on the EU enlargement process with attention to Croatia, other Balkan states, and Turkey. Ambassador Drobnjak will also discuss challenges for the EU both institutionally and globally.

For more information regarding Ambassador Drobnjak’s lecture and other cultural events at Adelphi University, visit events.adelphi.edu or call the Cultural Events Hotline at 516-877-4555.

About Adelphi University:
Adelphi is a world-class, modern university with excellent and highly relevant programs where students prepare for lives of active citizenship and professional careers. Through its schools and programs—College of Arts and Sciences, Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Honors College, Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, Ruth S. Ammon School of Education, University College, College of Nursing and Public Health and the School of Social Work—the coeducational university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as professional and educational programs for adults. Adelphi University currently enrolls nearly 8,000 students from 43 states and 45 foreign countries. With its main campus in Garden City and its centers in Manhattan, Suffolk County, and Poughkeepsie, the University, chartered in 1896, maintains a commitment to liberal studies, in tandem with rigorous professional preparation and active citizenship.

(Shirley, NY) Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the men who burglarized a Shirley home.

According to police, the two men shown in the surveillance images below broke into a home on Chanel Drive East and stole a safe, cash and a shotgun on November 17, 2013 at 2:30 a.m.

According to Suffolk County police, the two men shown in the surveillance images broke into a home on Chanel Drive East and stole a safe, cash and a shotgun on November 17, 2013 at 2:30 a.m..

One of the suspects was described as a light-skinned black male, in his 20s, 5 feet 9 inches tall to 6 feet tall with a medium build. He has facial hair and a tattoo on his right hand. The second man was described as white, in his 20s, 5 feet 8 inches tall to 5 feet 10 inches tall with a thin build.

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.

(Mastic Beach, NY) Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and the Seventh Precinct Crime Section are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the men responsible for car break-ins in Mastic Beach.

Between 10 a.m. on January 22 and 10 a.m. on January 23, 2014, two men broke into numerous vehicles on Fairfield Lane and stole assorted items. At approximately 4:30 p.m. the same day, two men went to the Kmart on Horseblock Road in Farmingville and returned a thermal cup that was stolen from one of the vehicles in Mastic Beach.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and the Seventh Precinct Crime Section are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating two men responsible for car break-ins in Mastic Beach. The men were wearing dark hooded winter coats and dark hats. The men are shown here in Kmart on Horseblock Road in Farmingville on January 22 at approximately 4:30 p.m. Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

The men were wearing dark hooded winter coats and dark hats.

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.

(Hauppauge, NY) EAC Network joined the Suffolk County Bar Association on Thursday, February 6th at its headquarters in Hauppauge, NY to host the 3rd Annual Cohalan Cares for Kids event.

The annual event raised almost $24,000 and benefited EAC Network’s Suffolk County Children’s Center at Cohalan Court. It was also held in coordination with Enright Court Reporting, the Long Island Hispanic Bar Association, the Suffolk County Charitable Foundation, the Suffolk County Criminal Bar Association, the Suffolk County Matrimonial Bar Association, and the Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association.

“Once again, the Suffolk County legal community demonstrated its phenomenal generosity and support for the Children’s Center,” stated Rebecca Bell, Executive Vice President & COO at EAC Network. “The willingness of everyone to help maintain the Center as a vital resource to the Courts is deeply appreciated. Special thanks to the Suffolk County Bar Association for being such a gracious host and sponsor.”

Pictured, (l-r); Sarah Jane LaCova, Executive Director, Suffolk County Bar Association; Marian Tinari, Court Attorney-Referee, Suffolk County

The event included a special wine tasting courtesy of Rothmann’s Steakhouse and a beer tasting by Brickhouse Brewery. Fireside Caterers of East Northport provided delicious food, and Gerard Donnelly, Esq., Rafael Penate, Esq., and Thomas Lavallee, Esq., provided live music. Photography was provided by Barry M. Smolowitz, Esq.

EAC Network’s Suffolk County Children’s Center at Cohalan Court offers an alternative to crowded courtrooms and waiting areas and enables parents with young children to attend to their court business. The center is a safe, secure, and nurturing environment for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age. Last year the center served over 900 children and their families.

About EAC Network
EAC Network provides a broad array of educational, vocational, counseling, and criminal justice services. The organization’s 70 programs protect children, create opportunities for seniors, promote healthy families and communities, empower people through employment and education, and provide alternatives for people with substance abuse and mental health needs. For more information about EAC Network, please call 516.539.0150 or visit www.eac-network.org.

(Long Island, NY) The Nassau County Police Department has reported the details of a serious motor vehicle accident that occurred on Monday, February 17, 2014 at 6:29 p.m. in Merrick.

According to Homicide Squad detectives, a female victim, 21 years of age, was the rear passenger of a 2004 Honda traveling eastbound on Sunrise Highway. The 20 year old male driver made a left turn to head north on Hewlett Avenue when the vehicle was struck by a 2006 Hyundai, traveling westbound on Sunrise Highway, driven by a 23 year old female.

According to Homicide Squad detectives the 2004 Honda was traveling eastbound on Sunrise Highway when the driver made a left turn to head north on Hewlett Avenue. The vehicle was struck by a 2006 Hyundai traveling westbound on Sunrise Highway.

The victim was ejected from the vehicle through the rear passenger door window. She was transported by a Nassau County Police Ambulance to a local hospital with multiple injuries and is listed in critical condition. Both drivers, along with another 19 year old female passenger of the Honda were all transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. There is no criminality suspected at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

(Long Island, NY) The Nassau County Police Department has reported the arrest of a Freeport man for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance which occurred on Monday, February 17, 2014 at 9:06 p.m. in Baldwin.

According to Narcotics/Vice Bureau detectives, a joint investigation was conducted by the Nassau County Narcotics/Vice Bureau and the Bureau of Special Operations CIRRT unit, which resulted in the arrest of Julio N. Peralta, 51 years of age, of 35 Bedell Street. During the course of the investigation Peralta was observed conducting narcotics sales from his 1998 BMW to three individuals in Freeport and Baldwin.

A joint investigation conducted by the Nassau County Narcotics/Vice Bureau and the Bureau of Special Operations CIRRT unit resulted in the arrest of three individuals in Freeport and Baldwin. File photo by Christopher Boyle.

The defendant Mohan Ramdahin, 46, of 7 Russell Place Freeport, Pedro J. Quiroz, 56 of 16 Lincoln Place, Freeport and Katiusca C. Polanco, 28 of 773 Merrick Road, Baldwin were all placed under arrest without incident. As a result of Peralta’s arrest detectives recovered approximately 1 (one) ounce of Cocaine and an undetermined amount of cash from the vehicle.

Defendant Peralta is charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree and three counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree. Ramdahin and Quiroz are each charged with (1) one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 5th degree. All three defendants will be arraigned on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at First District Court in Hempstead.

Polanco is charged with (1) one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree. She received a desk appearance ticket and will be arraigned on Monday, March 10 2014 at First District Court in Hempstead.

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.

*A correction was made by The Nassau County Police Department regarding information in this release. The correction was published February 18, 2014 at 10:20 a.m.

(Long Island, NY) Today, in the wake of the untruthful Obamacare ad attacks launched against Senator Lee Zeldin’s campaign for U.S. Congress, the Zeldin campaign has released a web advertisement aimed at setting the record straight. The ad, “Ugly Truth,” refutes the deceptive claims made by the Demos campaign that Senator Zeldin supports Obamacare.

“The purpose of the web ad is simple: expose George Demos for the liar that he is and set the record straight for Long Island voters,” said Chapin Fay, Zeldin for Congress Campaign Manager. “This is not one person’s word against another–George Demos has blatantly misrepresented the facts. For example, the Demos campaign continues to repeat the 100% mistruth, ‘If Zeldin and State Senate had not voted for fed funding on 3/27/13, Obamacare could not have been implemented in NY.’ The ad attacks launched against our campaign regarding Obamacare are blatant lies that have been widely debunked.”

“Lee Zeldin has never and will never support Obamacare. The ads are nothing more than shameful attempts to deceive voters, representing the absolute worst in politics. Our campaign is based on honor and integrity and we are confident that the voters in the First Congressional District will see through the lies and stand behind the only honest, proven, principled candidate, Senator Lee Zeldin.”

To learn more about Senator Zeldin and his campaign for Congress, please visit www.zeldinforcongress.com.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police today arrested a Patchogue man that left his 5-month-old baby boy and 5-year-old son unattended in a car while shopping in Patchogue Village.

Fifth Precinct Police Officer Dennis Stewart responded at approximately 5:40 p.m. to a report of two young children left unattended in a vehicle that was parked in the Patchogue Village parking lot located at 32 West Main St., Patchogue.

Upon arrival, Officer Stewart observed two children in a 1999 Mazda that was locked and not running. Witnesses stated that the children had been in the vehicle approximately 15 minutes prior to police arrival. The outside temperature was approximately 25 degrees at the time of the incident.

When the children’s father, Luis Lucero Fajardo, 32, of 73 Wiggins Ave., Patchogue, returned to the vehicle, he was arrested and charged with two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Officers discovered during the course of the investigation that Lucero did not possess a driver’s license and his vehicle was suspended from being on the road because it was not insured.

Lucero Fajardo will be held overnight at the Fifth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow morning at the First District Court in Central Islip on February 18.

A notification will be made to Suffolk County Department of Social Services Child Protective Services Bureau.

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.

(Long Island, NY) The Nassau County Police Department Robbery Squad has reported the arrest of a Brooklyn man for a Bank Robbery that occurred in Hicksville on Saturday, February 01, 2014 at 8:50 am.

According to detectives, Marshall S. Bertoli, 52, of 2252 E. 59th street, entered the TD Bank located at 225 North Broadway and presented a note to a 33 year old male teller stating he had a gun and demanded cash. After the victim complied the subject fled on foot in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of cash.

According to detectives, Marshall S. Bertoli, 52, of Brooklyn is shown as he presented a note to a 33 year old male teller stating he had a gun and demanded cash. After the victim complied Bertoli fled on foot in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of cash. Nassau County Crime Stoppers released the above surveillance photo and description of the suspect on February 1st, at 3:15 PM.

Nassau County Crime Stoppers released a surveillance photo and description of the suspect shortly thereafter describing the subject as being white, having a stocky build, black hooded jacket, and blue hat.

There were 4 customers and 3 employees in the bank although no injuries reported. Bertoli is charged with Robbery 3rd degree and will be arraigned tomorrow, Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at First District Court in Hempstead.