Raynor Smacked With Felony Charges

It was a costly traffic violation for Kevin Raynor, an assistant chief with the Westhampton Beach Fire Department.

Southampton Town Police said its Community Response Unit stopped the 32-year old from Westhampton Beach around dinnertime Saturday, November 24 near Carols Way in Hampton Bays during a routine traffic stop. But what they found was anything but routine.

Police said Raynor was packing 175 bags of heroin and slapped two charges on him: third and fourth-degree criminal possession, one B and the latter a Class C felony.

Raynor, who was reportedly driving a department vehicle when he was pulled over, was held overnight held overnight and released the next morning on $5000 bail. Police stressed the investigation is continuing.

Southampton Town Police said an intoxicated driver struck and killed a pedestrian with his car on Sunday, November 18, at about 11:45 PM in Flanders. Tyler Gaches of Shirley was apparently headed south on County Road 105 near Flanders Road. Town Police said Ian Costanza, 36, of Riverside, was on the road at the time — though it is unclear if he was walking or attempting to cross, when Gaches hit him with his vehicle.

Costanza was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transported to the Suffolk County medical examiner’s office. Gaches, who apparently notified police of the accident, was subsequently charged with driving while intoxicated by officers who arrived at the scene.

rmurphy@indyeastend.com