Harding Custodian Honored by Lindenhurst Schools

The recognized Thomas A. Frey for his quick thinking and action earlier this month when he promptly alerted school authorities after a Lindenhurst man tried to gain access to .

The district and the Board of Education presented with a certificate at the Community Forum on Wednesday, , at .

Superintendent Richard Nathan read the commendation aloud, and then he and BOE President Ed Murphy, Jr. thanked Frey while the residents in attendance offered thundering applause.

They felt his actions were key in keeping the school and its students and staff safe after was found by Frey peering into windows on school grounds on March 2.

When Frey saw Ciambriello looking into the windows, according to the superintendent, Frey opened the door and asked him what he was doing and for identification.

Ciambriello couldn't produce any, but tried posing as a "town security guard," according to Suffolk Police.

Frey "knew something was up, and closed the door and immediately alerted the administration, which alerted the police," Nathan told Lindenhurst Patch.

"I think his actions ultimately prevented anything worse from happening," he added. "And I think it's important enough to recognize him."

After that Harding was placed on lockdown for about a half an hour while police located and Ciambriello following a through the streets near the school and through parts of West Babylon and North Lindenhurst.

"The kids stayed in their classrooms while the chase was happening," Nathan said. "Everyone followed emergency procedure, and more security was there, as well."

The district alerted all of the other schools about what was happening, as well, and sent a School Messenger call to Harding parents, noted the superintendent. A letter was also sent home to Harding parents that Friday.

"Had I realized the chase was also in North Lindenhurst, I would've placed Rall on lockdown, too," Nathan said.

Ciambriello was arrested after finally being stopped behind . But not before leading officers away from his home on East Shore Road in a "low-speed pursuit," , First Precinct commanding officer.

Shortly thereafter he hit Suffolk Police Unit Car 117 with his car. That was the same accident that, according to , took place at Lido Parkway and Elm Avenue in Lindenhurst.

When police finally nabbed Ciambriello, he began resisting arrest and had to be tasered three times, according to the inspector.

He's facing numerous charges, including criminal impersonation, criminal trespassing, three counts of felony criminal mischief, one count of misdemeanor criminal mischief, three counts of asssaulting a police officer, unlawfully fleeing police and driving under the influence of drugs.

According to Gigante, Ciambrello was initially sent to Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip for treatment, then transported to Stony Brook Medical Center for psychiatric evalauation.

Over that weekend he was arraigned, Gigante later told Patch.

"Ciambrello was arraigned on March 4. He's currently in custody with at least $50,000 cash bail set," according to Robert Clifford, spokesperson for the office of Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota.

"We're awaiting the test results on the defendant’s blood," Clifford added.