Two Teens Arrested for Recent Vandalism Spree

Suffolk County police arrested two teens on Sunday for a recent spree of vandalism on numerous vehicles in the Huntington, Lloyd Harbor and Cold Spring Harbor communities.

According to police, Second Precinct Officer James Rochford was on patrol in Huntington early Sunday morning when he heard a radio notification describing a vehicle that had been seen following several acts of criminal mischief that had recently occurred in the area. Rochford then located the vehicle, a 2009 Nissan SUV, on Oakwood Road near Pulaski Road with two inhabitants – Jake Cassidy, 18, of 57 Wilton Road in Cold Spring Harbor, and a 14-year-old boy. The two were arrested at 8:39 a.m. for damaging a 1995 Volvo 850 at 69 Maple Place in Huntington on Aug. 22.

After further investigation by Second Squad detectives, it was determined that the two were responsible for committing more than 25 acts of criminal mischief to vehicles in the Huntington, Lloyd Harbor and Cold Spring Harbor communities on Aug. 22. Detectives also believe the two to be responsible for other acts of criminal mischief to vehicles during the past month.

Both teens were charged with two counts of criminal mischief in the second degree, four counts of criminal mischief in the third degree and four counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree. Cassidy was also charged with one count of solicitation in the third degree for soliciting the 14-year-old boy to commit a felony. A criminal charge is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Police said Cassidy was held overnight and was arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Aug. 23. The juvenile was released into the custody of his parents and will appear at Family Court in Hauppauge at a later date.