PD: East Northport Man Struck, Killed By Jeep Outside Home

**An East Northport man was struck and killed by a Jeep last week while working outside his Clay Pitts Road home.** *Photo Courtesy of Google Maps*

A 35-year-old East Northport man, operating a leaf blower outside his home, was struck and killed by a Jeep last week, Suffolk police said.

Richard Oliveri, 35, was operating the leaf blower near his home on the shoulder of Clay Pitts Road around 700 feet west of Cedrus Avenue at around 6:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25 when he was struck by the eastbound 2014 Jeep Wrangler, according to police.

Oliveri suffered a “severe head injury” and was brought by East Northport Fire Department to Huntington Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

James Monahan, 48, of East Northport, was the driver of the Jeep. He was not injured and remained at the scene.

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check and the investigation is continuing.

Man Stole $2.7K In Nicorette Gum From Target, Cops Say

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man they say stole more than $2,700 in Nicorette Gum from a Commack store in September.

The man, pictured above, stole the gum from the Target at 98 Veterans on Sept. 14 at around 7:15 p.m., according to police.

The suspect is described as a black male in his 30s or 40s and was seen wearing a red short sleeved shirt and khaki pants.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential

Man Wanted For Stealing Light From Village Store: PD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man they say stole from a Huntington store last month.

The man, pictured above, stole a multi-purpose outdoor light from Heli Sport at 308 New York Ave. on Oct. 15 at around 12 noon, according to Suffolk police.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

Dix Hills Man Had Sexual Contact With Horses, Cops Say

A Dix Hills man who failed to register his status on the county’s animal abuse offender registry was arrested last week for allegedly engaging in sexual misconduct with horses, Suffolk police said.

Police said Special Victims Section detectives conducted a check on Steven Errante, referencing his failure to register for the Suffolk County Animal Abuse Offender Registry, and during the check “discovered he had sexual contact with horses on two separate occasions.”

Errante, who was arrested in 2013 for beating a dog with a baseball bat and was required to register as part of his sentence, had sexual contact with horses on Aug. 25 and Sept. 4 at a stable located at 282 Pine Acres Blvd. in Dix Hills, police said.

Errante, 30, was charged with two counts of sexual misconduct with an animal and failure to register for the animal abuse offenders registry.

He appeared in Suffolk First District Court last Thursday, and bail was set at $2,000 cash, $4,000 bond and was not posted, according to court records. Errante, who is being represented by a legal aid, was next scheduled to appear in court after deadline on Tuesday..

FD: Fire Burns In Melville Trash Compactor

Firefighters battle a blaze that originated in a trash compactor in Melville last week. *Photo by Melville FD*

The Melville Fire Department responded to a fire in a trash compactor last week, fire officials said. The trash compactor was located inside a building at the Avalon Court Apartments on Republic Road, and the fire broke out at around 3:20 p.m. on Oct. 24.

Firefighters used a winch to remove the compactor from the building, and extinguished the burning contents, officials said. Two engines, a heavy rescue truck and three ambulances responded with 20 fire/rescue personnel under the direction of assistant chiefs David Kaplan and Bill Schmitt. Units were on the scene for about 90 minutes overhauling and dousing the contents of the compactor.

PD: Man Stole $700+ In Clothing From Huntington Station Store

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man they say stole clothing from a Huntington Station store last month.

The man, pictured above, stole eight red and blue jackets from Lord & Taylor at 158 Walt Whitman Road on Oct. 13 at around 4:40 p.m., according to police. The merchandise has been valued by police at $716.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

The Long Islander

News Briefs: East Northport Man Fatally Struck By Jeep