On The Beat

A woman from Ramblewood Mobile Home Park in Wading River was locked up for allegedly pointing a gun at her neighbor and verbally threatening her last Wednesday night.

Riverhead Town cops said the woman called 911 just after 8 PM, and when they arrived on the scene, they found Iris Catana, 63, in possession of a loaded double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun. Catana pleaded not guilty to charges of third-and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree menacing at her arraignment in Riverhead Justice Court on Thursday.

She was released on $3000 cash bail and is due back in court on May 8, according to a court spokeswoman.

Rental Scammer Busted in Bays

A local real estate agent has been busted for allegedly scamming prospective renters by taking cash for an acquaintance’s pad in Hampton Bays and not sealing the deal.

Two different people filed complaints with police about a real estate agent taking deposits for a Hampton Bays rental home back in February, leading investigators to Melanie Williams, 54, of Manorville, Southampton Town Police said. The victims, police said, provided a deposit for the rental and they were promised a date to move in. But as the date approached, both victims were told the rental was still not available. At least three victims have come forward to report the scam to the detective division, Lt. Susan Ralph said.

Williams was slapped with felony charges — three counts of fourth-degree grand larceny and three counts of first-degree scheme to defraud on April 29. She pleaded not guilty at her arraignment in Southampton Town Justice Court on April 30 and was released on $6000 cash bail.

If convicted, Williams faces up to four years in state prison based on each count. She is due back in court on July 26.

Detectives believe there could be other victims that were scammed by Williams, so they are encouraging anyone who has had contact with her regarding a rental to contact them at 631-702-2230.

RiverHead Man Locked up for DWAI

A Riverhead man was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of drugs in Riverside last Wednesday.

Southampton Town Police said Julian Wright, 45, was seen operating a car southbound in the northbound lane of County Road 94 at about 1 PM, and he was found to be under the influence of a drug. He was charged with driving while ability impaired, first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. It is not clear what type of substance Wright was on at the time of his arrest.

He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Southampton Town Justice Court the following day. He remains in custody at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility on $2500 cash or $3000 bond, according to authorities.