Teen Damages Oakdale Building As Part of Social Media Challenge: Cops

OAKDALE, NY — A teenager who damaged an Oakdale building as part of a social media challenge was arrested and charged on Tuesday, Suffolk County Police said.

A Fifth Precinct police officer was patrolling the former Dowling College property, located at 150 Idle Hour Blvd., at about 6 p.m., when he observed three males walking on the property.

One of the teens broke a window with a rock, police said.

The male, 18, of Farmingdale, claimed he caused the damage as part of a social media challenge targeting historic buildings.

Fifth Squad detectives and Fifth Precinct Crime Section officers are now investigating previous incidents of criminal mischief at the location. Police are also conducting patrol checks of the property, following community complaints.

The teen was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and issued a field appearance ticket.

He is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on April 10.

Anyone with information on this or similar incidents is asked to call the Fifth Precinct Crime Section at 631-854-8532 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.