Top Crime Stories for 2012

Crime, from homicide to gun theft to arson, dominated the headlines in Huntington in 2012. Here are some of the top crimes this year.

Man Accused of Killing Stepfather

A Huntington man was arrested and charged in the fatal stabbing of his stepfather in June. Matthew Hubrins, 28, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Noel Mohammed, 44. Police went to the Spring Road home after a caller reported a disturbance. Mohammed, who lived in the home, was taken to Huntington Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later, according to police. Hubrins was indicted on a charge of murder and is due back in court Jan. 16.

Huntington Station Man Shot to Death

A Huntington Station man was shot to death in September. Second Precinct police officers responding to a call about shots found Darnell Boddie, 42, lying on the front steps of his Tippin Drive residence. He was pronounced dead at Huntington Hospital. The Homicide Squad said the case is under active investigation but had no further details.

Police Identify SUV Model in Fatal Accident

A Honduran immigrant was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Jericho Turnpike in September. Luis Dagoberto Flores Hernandez, 27, who was walking in the westbound lane of Jericho Turnpike when he was hit. Police said he was dragged 500 feet from the Thorney Avenue intersection before being dislodged  in front of the Whitman Motor Lodge at 295 East Jericho Tpke. Police said the vehicle was a black Nissan Pathfinder.

Man Admits to Driving Car Into House

A woman who initially took the blame when her car drove through a home in May was cleared and her boyfriend charged instead. Daniel Sajewski of Brooklyn pleaded guilty Dec. 14 to several charges in the crash that sent her car through a house at 200 Southdown Road. Two women living in the house escaped injury. He is due for sentencing Jan. 16 at Suffolk County Court in Riverhead. Prosecutors said he persuaded Sophia Anderson to claim she was the driver because he had several previous brushes with the law.

Man Accused in Home Depot Bomb Threat

A Deer Park man was accused of planting a bomb at a Home Depot in Huntington, where he worked, in October. Federal officials said that Daniel Sheehan, 50, planted the explosive device as part of a bigger $2 million extortion plot, in which he also threatened to place three other bombs at other stores. FBI agents arrested Sheehan on a charge of attempted extortion by use of an explosive device in the joint investigation conducted by the FBI and Suffolk Police Department, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District Loretta E. Lynch, said.

Latin Kings Leader Sentenced to 16 Years

Angel Cordero Jr., leader of the Huntington branch of the Latin Kings street gang, was sentenced to 16 years in prison in December. He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sandra J. Feuerstein at the federal courthouse in Central Islip. Cordero previously pleaded guilty to gang-related conspiracy to commit assaults with dangerous weapons, attempted assault with a dangerous weapon, and illegal possession of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence.

Guns Stolen During Hurricane

Suffolk County police said the Camp-Site Sport Shop in Huntington Station was broken into Oct. 30 and eight rifles were stolen. The store covered its glass front and painted warnings on the front of the store that read, "You Loot, We Shoot."

Coach Accused of Harassment

A youth baseball coach was arrested on Sept. 21 on charges of sending an opposing coach and his family menacing texts and surveillance photos. Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said Robert Sanfilippo, 45, of Huntington, was charged with 20 counts of aggravated harassment and one count of stalking.

Rewards Offered in Sweet Hollow Arson

Suffolk County police offered a reward in connection with the arson that destroyed Sweet Hollow Hall at West Hills County Park Dec. 10. The building, which was used by Starflower Experiences, Senior Pops Orchestra of Long Island and other organizations, was destroyed in the early morning blaze.

Gang Members Indicted in 2009 Killing

A federal grand jury  indicted 11 Suffolk County members or associates of the MS-13 gang on murder and other charges in a series of crimes, including two in Huntington. The two cases were the 2009 murder of Luis Castro in Huntington and the January holdup of a deli in Huntington Station. In May, U.S. prosecutors said rival gang members had stabbed and slashed Castro, who they believed to be a member of the rival 18th Street gang, to death with a machete and knives and left his body on West Rogues Path.