Motorist Took Bullet To Chest

A man driving his pick-up truck came to a halt when the traffic light turned red at the intersection of Northville Turnpike and Route 58 at about 10 PM Friday night, September 6. What happened next is unclear.

What Riverhead police do know is gunshots rang out and the 1998 Dodge Dakota began rolling toward the Bank of America parking lot on the southwest corner of the intersection, through the bank parking lot, and across Route 58 before coming to a stop near the medical office complex at the northeast corner.

Riverhead Police Chief David Hegermiller said the victim, who was alone in his truck, has a wound in his chest cavity. While he said “we don’t know all the details,” he speculated that the shooter knew the victim.

The Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance responded to the scene and the victim was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital via a county medevac helicopter.

“We know who the victim is,” the chief said. “He’s in stable condition, but he is sedated. We are waiting to talk to him.”

Hegermiller did not know what kind of firearm was used.

“It’s an active investigation,” he said. “I’m hopeful we’ll be able to make an arrest soon.”

Violent Domestic Incident

Shelter Island police said they responded to a violent domestic dispute shortly after midnight August 24 that landed a Brentwood man in jail in lieu of $15,000 bail.

Mathew Jankite, 30, charged with initiating the argument, fled the scene of the alleged incident.

Cops said he tried to strangle the victim, abused the victim sexually, and robbed the victim.

Police found Jankite at the North Ferry terminal and held him for arraignment in the local justice court the same day, where he was charged with third-degree assault with intent to cause physical injury and grand larceny, among the additional charges leveled. Jankite was taken to Suffolk County jail when he couldn’t come up with the 15 grand.

Police records show on June 4, subsequent to a police investigation of a domestic dispute, Jankite was arrested for trespassing, second-degree harassment, petit larceny, and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. He was held overnight, arraigned before justice court, released on his own recognizance, and directed to return at a later date. Orders of protection were issued to the “alleged victims.”

Jankite was also reportedly taken into custody July 20 on a criminal contempt charge after being seen with a protected person on Shore Road in violation of an order of protection.

rmurphy@indyeastend.com