Task Force Nails Two On Hinda Boulevard

Agents from the East End Drug Task Force stormed into a house on Hinda Boulevard in Riverhead on April 15 and arrested two men on narcotic charges.

The arrests were the result of an investigation the Riverhead Police Department and the task force began after neighbors complained about “suspicious activities” at the house.

Agents, armed with a search warrant, went in that night. Police said the raid proved fruitful — agents allegedly seized quantities of heroin and cocaine along with items and materials to cut, process, and package heroin for sale.

Police charged Richard Kayte, 37, of 47 Hinda Boulevard, with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (in excess of one-half ounce), a class B felony; two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a class A misdemeanor; and three counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree, a class B misdemeanor.

Police also arrested another resident, Charlene Crump, 60, on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a class A misdemeanor, and three counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree, a class B misdemeanor.

Tanger Shoplifters Escape

A man-and-woman duo, presumably, were almost thwarted by an alert salesperson at Tanger Outlets on April 14 but made off with merchandise. Riverhead Town Police said they received a call from the Dooney & Bourke store at about 2:30 PM. The employee said an unknown man and woman stole five handbags valued at $464.

It is a tried-and-true thievery strategy. Two people often work as a team: one feigns interest in making a purchase to engage the salesperson, while the other makes off with an item without paying for it. Police couldn’t locate the pair when they arrived.

In other Tanger-targeted news, a woman reported to Riverhead police that two unknown men stole approximately $4196 worth of clothing from Barneys New York. The larceny was reported at approximately 3:45 PM April 17.

Police arrested three women on Friday, April 19, after a traffic stop on Route 58 in Riverhead cops say revealed they were in possession of shoes valued at $174.98 that were reported stolen from Famous Footwear on Old Country Road. Shamiqwa Dixon, 24, Hardiway Toney, 45, and Tequan Dennis, 24, were each charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class A misdemeanor, and criminal possession of an anti-security item, a class B misdemeanor.

The next day, Edward Dweck, 48, and Anthony Lagalante, 39, both of Riverhead, were arrested after they allegedly stole Nike sneakers valued at $159.99 from Famous Footwear.

On April 18, Riverhead police say that Michael Vaughn, 38, was in possession of a vape cartridge containing THC liquid. He was charged with petit larceny and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, both misdemeanors.

A scissor-man lift valued at $12,875 was reported stolen from behind Walgreens on April 24. According to a police report, it was taken sometime between August 2018 and January 2019.

rmurphy@indyeastend.com