(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a woman in Eastport on Sunday, December 6.

Rudi Ramirez was driving a 1990 Toyota Camry southbound on County Road 51 when a northbound 2015 Hyundai Tucson, driven by Madeline Keane, made a left turn in front of Ramirez’s vehicle at County Road 111 at 2:47 p.m.

Suffolk County Police are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a woman in Eastport on Sunday, December 6. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Ramirez’s passenger, Blanca Coslaya, 41, of Flanders, was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Ramirez, 22, of Flanders, was also transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Keane, 51, of Farmingville, and her two passengers were transported to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Both vehicles were impounded for a safety inspection and the investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this crash to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.

(Long Island, NY) The Major Case Bureau is investigating a bank Robbery that occurred on Sunday, December 06, 2015 at 1:00 pm in Great Neck Plaza.

According to Robbery Squad detectives, an unknown male subject entered the Capitol One Bank, located at 121 Middle Neck Road, produced a note to a teller demanding money.

Nassau County Police investigating a bank Robbery that occurred on Sunday, December 06 in Great Neck Plaza. Photo Credit: SCPD.

The 22 year old female victim complied with an undetermined amount of US currency. The subject then entered the passenger side a blue or black BMW and fled south on Middle Neck Road.

An unknown male subject entered the Capitol One Bank and produced a note to a teller demanding money. The victim complied and the subject fled with an undetermined amount of US currency. Photo Credit: SCPD.

There were five (5) employees and one (1) customer inside the bank at the time of the robbery. There were no reported injuries. The subject is described as a male white, between the ages of 50 and 55, 5’8” tall, wearing a dark colored shirt and blue jeans.

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

(Long Island, NY) The Fourth Squad reports the arrest of a Queens man for Grand Larceny that occurred on Sunday, December 06, 2015 at 4:24 am in Valley Stream.

According to detectives, 911 received a call for an unknown male subject entering two separate vehicles (a Nissan Altima and a Nissan Maxima) parked on E Argyle Street. Upon police arrival, officers observed a male subject running northbound on E Argyle Street and climbing over a fence.

Nassau County Police reports the arrest of Bionick Pierre, 20, of Queens for Grand Larceny that occurred on Sunday, December 06, in Valley Stream. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

After a brief foot pursuit, defendant Bionick Pierre, 20, was placed under arrest. An iPhone, iPod, mini flash lights, a silver colored chain and a blue change purse all belonging to the victims and owners of the above vehicles were recovered at the scene.

After an investigation it was discovered that on Friday, November 27, 2015, defendant Pierre had also entered a black Infinity automobile (also parked on E Argyle Street) and stole an undetermined amount of US currency, a lap top computer and an Apple Air Book.

Defendant Pierre is being charged with Grand Larceny 4th Degree and 4 counts of Petit Larceny. He will be arraigned on Monday, December 7, 2015 at First District Court, 99 Main Street, 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.

(Long Island, NY) The Major Case Bureau is investigating a bank Robbery that occurred on Sunday, December 06, 2015 at 9:14 am in Cedarhurst.

According to Robbery Squad detectives, an unknown male subject entered the Wells Fargo Bank located at 464 Central Avenue, displayed a silver semi-automatic handgun and demanded money from a 21 year old male teller. The victim complied with an unknown amount of US currency.

Nassau County Police are investigating a bank Robbery that occurred on Sunday, December 06 in Cedarhurst. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The subject fled the scene on foot southbound onto Spruce Street toward Broadway. The subject is described as a male black in his thirties, approximately 6’0”-6’1” tall, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, a black half face cloth mask, black knit type gloves and sneakers.

There were five (5) employees and one (1) customer inside the bank at the time of the robbery. There were no reported injuries.

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

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a pedestrian in Rocky Point on Saturday, December 5.

Garrett Schneider was driving a 2000 Chrysler Voyager northbound on Hallock Landing Road yesterday evening when his vehicle struck a pedestrian who had walked into his lane of travel.

Suffolk County Police are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a pedestrian in Rocky Point on Saturday, December 5. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The pedestrian, Theresa Swedberg, 49, of Rocky Point, was transported via Rocky Point Fire Department ambulance to John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson where she was pronounced dead. Schneider, 21, of Miller Place, was not injured.

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check and the investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about this crash is asked to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.

(Long Island, NY) Third Squad detectives are investigating a residential burglary that occurred on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 4:52 pm in East Hills.

According to detectives, two Third Precinct officers received a call for a residential alarm at a Wildwood Lane home. Upon arrival it was observed that a rear door to the home was open and a search of the residence was initiated. During the search a male black subject was located hiding on the floor in one of the homes bedrooms.

Nassau County Police are investigating a residential burglary that occurred on Saturday, December 5 in East Hills. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

An attempt was made to place the subject into custody, who resisted arrest and attempted to take one officer’s service weapon. After a continued struggle, the subject, who was further described as being 6’1” tall, 28-35 years old with a stocky build, curly hair, wearing a black jacket and black pants, was able to break free and flee the home.

During the clash both officers suffered non-life threatening injuries causing one officer to be transported to an area hospital for treatment.

A search of the area was conducted without success and detectives request anyone with information regarding this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

Following Basic Tips Can Help Consumers Stay Safe

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today issued a consumer alert on five common telephone scams following a recent uptick in reports of telephone scammers posing as officials from the Internal Revenue Service and the Attorney General’s Office. These common scams, identified by complaints and other evidence collected by the Attorney General’s Office, often target seniors, students, and first-generation Americans.

“With the holiday season rapidly approaching, the last thing families need is to be scammed out of their hard-earned money,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “It is shameful that scam artists target people with bogus threats and scare tactics, but following a few basic tips can help you fight back and stay safe.”

Common Telephone Scams

IRS/Tax Collection Scam – The caller will claim to be an agent or police officer from the Internal Revenue Service or Attorney General’s Office calling about a past due tax balance that is owed. The caller will tell the victim that unless the debt is paid immediately, a team of officers will come to the victim’s home that day to arrest the victim. The scammer will also request that the “IRS Tax Warrant” be paid with a Green Dot Card Money Card or Western Union MoneyGram.  These scammers often use caller ID spoofing so that the victim’s caller ID box says “Internal Revenue Service” or displays the phone number of the Internal Revenue Service. Sometimes scammers will also ask victims for personal information such as a Social Security number in order to commit identity theft.

Grandparent Scam – Typically, this scam comes in the form of an urgent phone call. The caller claims to be “your favorite grandson” or just says “it’s me”… prompting the grandparent to supply the needed name. While the emergencies vary, the scenario is usually this: tThe “grandson” is out of town and needs money fast — to make bail, or to pay for automobile repairs or medical expenses. The caller begs the grandparent not to tell his parents, just wire the money immediately. Scammers know that parents and grandparents fear a call that tells them their loved one is in trouble. Each year, thousands of Americans get caught in the Grandparent Scam. Increasingly, scammers use actual relatives’ names and information gleaned from social media and other internet sites.

Jury Duty Scam – The caller will claim to be an officer of the court and say there’s a warrant for the arrest of the victim for failing to report for jury duty. The scammer will also claim that there is a fine for failing to show up for jury duty, and that unless the fine is paid immediately, the police will be sent to the victim’s home to make an arrest. The scammer will request that the “Jury Duty Warrant” be paid with a Green Dot Card Money Card or Western Union MoneyGram. The scam has been around for years and surfaces periodically in New York.  In one recent case, the calls were traced to a Georgia prison.

Lottery Scam – The caller says you’ve won a foreign lottery and requests that you, as the “winner,” send a check or to wire money to cover taxes and fees.  Legitimate contests never ask for money upfront. The caller may request your banking information in order to electronically direct deposit your winnings. This is an attempt to steal your identity and will wipe out your bank account.

The callers often use a name that sounds like a government agency or official-sounding authority. The name can be invented, like the “National Sweepstakes Bureau,” or “The National Consumer Protection Agency.” Sometimes they will use an actual name of a government agency, like the Federal Trade Commission or the Attorney General’s Office. The scammers claim that the government “oversees” the integrity of foreign lotteries. This is a scam.

Utility Scam – The caller claims to be a representative of a local utility provider. In some cases, the scammer has the victim’s correct account number. The scammer will then advise the resident that the utility bill is past due and must be paid immediately to avoid termination of service.  The scammer will also request that the delinquent bill be paid with a Green Dot Card Money Card or Western Union MoneyGram.  Suspects committing this scam have often obtained personal information via the internet, Facebook, Instagram or other social media.

Tips To Avoid Falling Victim:

Think Of The Telephone As A “One Way Street” 

It’s okay to give out information over the phone if you made the call to a number you know and trust (such as your own bank). However, never give out personal information when you receive an unsolicited call. If you receive a call soliciting personal information, just hang up the phone, no matter what the caller ID says. If the caller says he’s from your bank and is checking on possible unauthorized withdrawals from your account, hang up the phone and then call your bank.  If it was your bank that was trying to call, then it will be happy to confirm the call and will often provide requests to you in writing.  If your bank says it wasn’t trying to reach you, that means the caller you hung up on was a scammer.

Beware If A Caller Ask To Keep A Conversation A Secret

A legitimate caller will never request that a conversation remain a secret, and you should immediately be suspicious. Whether the caller claims to be from the government, a bank, or a family member, requests for confidentiality should raise a red flag.

Just Say No!

You don’t have to be polite when you receive unsolicited phone calls. The safest thing to do is to say “no” and hang up. Legitimate callers will typically also provide requests in writing. It is better to be guarded than to fall victim.

Remember the old adage: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Be wary of any offers or deals that sound too good to be true, as they likely are too good to be true.

Attorney General Schneiderman reminds New Yorkers that in addition to being vigilant consumers, they should also report instances of fraud to his office.

Consumers are encouraged to file complaints by visiting the Office’s website or calling 1-800-771-7755.

Voluntary Joint Initiative Aims To Keep Unlawful Advertisements For Mortgage Rescue Scams Out Of Local Media Outlets

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, New York News Publishers Association, New York Press Association and the New York State Broadcasters Association today announced a joint initiative to crack down on rampant and unlawful advertising of foreclosure rescue scams. Scammers target vulnerable homeowners who are typically in midst of the foreclosure process and are seeking help with mortgage modifications. In recent years there has been a rise in the number of scammers targeting New Yorkers, including an uptick in Deed Theft cases, in which scammers convince homeowners to sign away ownership rights on their homes.

The initiative will help media outlets scrutinize advertisements to identify possible scammers, who often use trusted local outlets as a vehicle to target vulnerable New Yorkers. Dozens of community media outlets are being asked to participate in the voluntary initiative. Copies of the letters sent to media outlets can be found here, here and here.

“Vigilant, well-informed homeowners are the best protection against these deceitful mortgage rescue scams,” said Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. “These scams are particularly repugnant because they take victims of the housing crash and make them victims again. I want to thank New York News Publishers Association, New York Press Association and New York State Broadcasters Association for helping to ensure scammers cannot use the trusted voices of our state’s community news outlets to find and exploit vulnerable families.”

Nationwide, mortgage rescue scammers have conned $100 million from more than 42,000 homeowners, according to a December 2014 report by the Center for NYC Neighborhoods and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. New York homeowners have submitted over 2,700 foreclosure rescue scam complaints to the Lawyer Committee for Civil Rights, documenting at least $8.25 million in losses. New York homeowners trail only California and Florida in the number of complaints reported to the Loan Modification Scam Database. Scammed homeowners have frequently reported to the Attorney General’s office and local housing counseling partners that they were lured by ads the scammers placed in local media outlets. The companies that place the ads are often in violation of state and federal laws which require individuals who advertise foreclosure prevention or loan modification services to include specific disclosures in their advertisements.

Attorney General Schneiderman and the Press Publishers and Broadcasters Associations are asking members of their organizations to review ads placed by foreclosure rescue companies to ensure that they comply with state disclosure laws. While the duty to comply with this law is placed on the ads’ producers, the media outlets have an important opportunity to help curtail the spread of foreclosure rescue scams by declining to accept ads that do not include the required language.

On average, each New York victim of a foreclosure rescue scam reported a loss of $4,183 – about $900 more than the national average. Beyond the immediate losses, these scams often result in a domino effect that raises that dollar figure: Homeowners can end up losing tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars more because their homes fall into foreclosure as a direct result of the scam.

The joint initiative is part of a broad effort by the Attorney General to end the mortgage crisis in New York. In 2012, Attorney General Schneiderman launched the Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP), a network of more than 85 housing counseling and legal services providers who provide free, high-quality representation to families who need help with their mortgage and who are at risk of foreclosure. To date, this network of direct service providers has assisted more than 50,000 New Yorkers.

In December 2014, the Attorney General’s office launched AGScamHelp.com, a web-based app that helps homeowners determine whether a mortgage assistance company has been vetted by a government agency. The app helps homeowners search government-vetted companies, locate nearby HOPP counseling and legal services partners, report scams, and get tips on how to avoid scams. AGScamHelp.com has more than 6600 average weekly users, and more than 112,000 people have used the site since launch. The Attorney General also sponsors a direct hotline which will connect any homeowner to a HOPP direct service provider within 48 hours (1-855-HOME-456).

Currently the Attorney General’s office has several active investigations into mortgage modification scams, including deed theft cases.

David L. Donovan President and Executive Director of The New York Broadcasters Association said, “Broadcasters throughout New York State are committed to serving the needs and interests of their communities.  We are happy to voluntarily participate in this program to help educate our viewers and listeners by asking distressed property consulting services to include disclaimer notifications.   We look forward to working with the Attorney General on this campaign.”

Founded in 1955, the New York State Broadcasters Association, Inc., represents more than 400 local television and radio stations throughout the Empire State.  Broadcasters are committed to serving the needs of their local communities. NYSBA helps broadcast stations achieve this mission by working with New York State and federal officials to create a strong and vibrant broadcast system.   NYSBA also offers a variety of professional services to help stations serve their communities.

“It is the mission of every newspaper to inform its readers about news that affects them,” saidDiane Kennedy, President of the New York News Publishers Association. “Newspapers strive to foster thriving communities in which all community members can succeed and feel safe. We applaud Attorney General Schneiderman for his work to protect homeowners in communities throughout New York State from criminals who would prey upon those in financial distress to steal their money and their homes. We are pleased to work in partnership with the Attorney General to help prevent these criminals from misleading vulnerable citizens through the placement of advertising that does not meet the standards set by state law.”

The New York News Publishers Association is the trade association which represents the publishers of the state’s daily newspapers. NYNPA represents its members’ interests before state government, produces educational materials used in schools throughout the state, recognizes journalistic excellence through an annual awards contest, assists advertisers in reaching customers through our member newspapers and administers the New York Newspapers Foundation, which provides funding to support literacy projects throughout the State of New York.

“New York’s newspaper publishers are committed to making sure readers get trustworthy and truthful information about important issues,” said Michelle Rea, Executive Director of the New York Press Association. “We are pleased to partner with Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to address the problem of foreclosure rescue scams.”

The mission of the New York Press Association is to promote and encourage higher standards of journalism; to aid and advance the study and teaching of journalism; to encourage and promote a better understanding between the public and the Press; to support and defend the First Amendment, including the free press, realizing that only as long as the press is successful will the other rights, privileges and freedoms of New York’s citizens be preserved, and to pursue such goals through its legislative efforts, educational services and promotional  initiatives.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Vehicular Crime Unit detectives are investigating a fatal pedestrian motor vehicle crash during which two drivers fled in Patchogue on Saturday, December 5.

A man was crossing the street, in front of 639 Route 112, when he was struck by a northbound 2015 Toyota 4Runner at 3 a.m. The pedestrian was then struck by three other cars, two of which fled the scene.

Suffolk County Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian motor vehicle crash during which two drivers fled in Patchogue on Saturday, December 5. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. The pedestrian has been tentatively identified as a 64-year-old Patchogue man and his next of kin has been notified. His body was transported to the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification.

The driver of the Toyota, Richard Averso, 24, of Port Jefferson Station, and his two passengers were not injured. Anthony Wesley, 50, of Center Moriches, the driver of the other vehicle that stayed, was not injured.

Suffolk County Police Vehicular Crime Unit detectives believe the vehicles that fled the scene of the fatal motor vehicle crash on Route 112 in Patchogue on December 5 are a 2011 to 2015 dark-colored Hyundai Elantra and a 2000 to 2007 white or light-colored Ford Taurus.

The vehicles were impounded for a safety check. Anyone with information about the crash or the two vehicles that fled is asked to call the Vehicular Crime Unit at 631-852-6555 or Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that critically injured a child pedestrian in Kings Park on Saturday, December 5.

An 11-year-old female was walking across Main Street when she was struck by an eastbound van driven by Willian Lopez, 52, of Freeport, at 11 a.m.

Suffolk County Police are investigating a motor vehicle crash that critically injured a child pedestrian in Kings Park on Saturday, December 5. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The child was airlifted by a Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition. Lopez was not injured.

The van was impounded for a safety check. The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.