Smithtown Police Blotter: Man Steals Money, Is Charged With Robbery

SMITHTOWN, NY — Curious about what's going on in your neighborhood? These are recent incidents reported in the Smithtown area from March 24 through March 30.

The Suffolk County Police Department posted the following information. All charges are accusations and do not signify guilt.

Arrests

• March 27: David Chaves, 34, of Lake Ronkonkoma, sold cocaine on Hawkins Avenue in Lake Ronkonkoma around 11:15 p.m. March 27, police said. He was arrested and charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance: narcotic drug, police said.
• March 27: Tianna Dlag, 32, of Selden, sold cocaine on at least three separate dates between Oct. 25, 2024, and March 27, on Hawkins Avenue in Lake Ronkonkoma, police said. She was arrested and charged with three counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance: narcotic drug, police said.
• March 26: Benny Zhang, 24, of Flushing, forcibly stole a red bag containing money from someone in a parking lot on Middle Country Road in Lake Grove on July 9, 2024, police said. He was arrested and charged with second-degree robbery: aided by another, police said.

Incidents

• March 24: Auto-stripping (first-degree); grand larceny (third-degree); and criminal mischief (third-degree) were reported on Middle Country Road in St. James at 10 a.m. Catalytic converters were stolen off of seven vehicles at Smithtown Volkswagen between March 21 and March 24, police said.