Crime Nearby: Arrest in Pet Store Theft, More Students Followed

Here are the latest arrests and incidents in neighborhoods surrounding Lindenhurst.

Cops: Woman Took Dog from
Dix Hills Pet Store
A Hauppauge woman was arrested and charged by Suffolk Police with stealing a puppy from a Dix Hills pet store in February.

Detectives from Suffolk County Police’s Second Squad arrested Krista Kazan in her home on Rollingwood Court. She's charged with grand larceny, fourth degree, a class E felony, and was arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip on Sunday, March 17.

Following the release of a surveillance photo on February 22 by Suffolk County’s Crime Stoppers Bureau, police said Kazan was identified as the woman who allegedly removed a puppy from Yippity Yap, located on Route 25. Police said Kazan allegedly took the dog on February 17.

Valued at $1,800, police said the dog was returned to the store by a family member the day after the surveillance photo was released.

Nearby: Police Say Wyandanch Assistant Principal Sexted Students
An assistant principal at a nearby school district was arrested as he left his Northport home on March 18 after Suffolk Police alleged he sent inappropriate texts to students and coworkers.

Suffolk County Police have charged Craig Cohen, 47, a Wyandanch High School assistant principal, with three counts of second degree aggravated harassment and one charge of endangering the welfare of a child.

Police said Cohen sent several inappropriate texts from his cell phone to students and faculty members between February and March. But Suffolk Police Lieutenant Terrence Fanning said the case is ongoing and the investigation may broaden as more victims step forward. 

"There were numerous texts, way more than a dozen," Fanning said.

The First Precinct Crime Section asks anyone who may have information related to this case to call 631-854-8126.

North Babylon Student Reports Being Followed by Van
A North Babylon middle school student on the way to a bus stop on the morning of March 18 reported being followed by a dark blue van, according to a letter to the community from North Babylon Superintendent Patricia Godek posted on the District's website.

The incident occurred at the corner of Brooklyn Avenue and State Street, which is located in West Babylon, but within the North Babylon School District.

The news comes just days after Godek sent a similar letter to the community alerting residents to an incident that took place near the same location involving a North Babylon High student and a brown Honda.

North Babylon High Student Approached by Vehicle at Bus Stop
A North Babylon High School student reported "being stalked and followed" by a man driving a late model brown Honda, according to letter sent home to the community by North Babylon Superintendent Patricia Godek.

The incident was reported to school officials and police on Friday, March 15, but occurred March 12, Godek told Patch.

The female student was approached at the corner of Mount Avenue and State Street, which is located in West Babylon, but within the North Babylon School District. The driver was described as a male in his mid-40s.

Police said the incident, which is currently being investigated by the First Precinct Crime Section, occurred at a North Babylon High School bus stop.

There have been several incidents in the past month in nearby Deer Park of students being approached or followed by suspicious vehicles. Although police have upped patrols in the area, a police spokesperson has said there was nothing criminal in nature about those incidents.

Report: SUV Crashes into Home Malts Avenue in West Islip
A sport-utility vehicle crashed into a West Islip house on March 17, causing damage to the home, according to Suffolk County Police. Newsday reported the 82-year-old woman driving the car had just picked up her 74-year-old neighbor and the neighbor's 31-year-old aide to go to church when the driver foot allegedly slipped off the brake, causing the SUV to strike a nearby house on Malts Avenue.

None of the women in the car were hurt, according to the report. One person who was inside the home at the time of the crash wasn't injured, police said. Identities of the parties involved weren't released. Members of the West Islip Fire Department repsonded to the scene.

Wave of Car Vandalism Continues
Cars in commercial and residential areas were targeted in vandalism incidents in the past week, including in the Farmingdale area, cops said.

Nassau County Police reported seven vehicles had glass broken, scratched frames and unknown substances poured on them within the Second Precinct.

In South Farmingdale, Bethpage and Syosset, cars in residential areas sustained damage, while other commercials areas, like the Hicksville LIRR and Syosset Medical Building, saw cars vandalized.

On February 27 a Bay Shore man was charged with using a phony credit card and license at the Sunrise Mall Sears, Nassau Police said. Jesse Stewart, 37, allegedly purchased merchandise with the bogus card. He was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of a forged instrument.

On February 27 a man was accused of stealing numerous jackets from the Sports Authority on Sunrise Highway, Nassau Police said.

On March 6 Jaclyn Tesoriero, 34, of Farmingdale was at Kohl's on Sunrise highway and charged with grand larceny, fourth.

On March 5 a car was broken into outside of Lucille Roberts on Sunrise Highway in Massapequa, police said. A window was broken and a pocketbook was stolen.

On March 1 an Amityville man was arrested at the intersection of Sunrise Highway and Unqua Road, police said. Sean Ageman was charged with DWI and one violation of the Vehicle and Traffic Law.

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