Top Crime stories of the Year

Unfortunately, crime happens. And when it does, we report it to help you stay informed. We gathered the most shocking and interesting crime stories of the year. Take a look.

1.

Jose Benigo Sanchez-Gonzalez, 24,was one of Riverhead's most wanted. He was caught for allegedly raping a 6 year-old relative. He was charged with first degree rape and endangering the welfare of a child. The incident occurred years ago but was not reported until last fall. He was caught with the help of the U.S. Marshal's New York/New Jersey Regional Task Force.

2.

Hugo Alberto, 35, of Riverhead, was stabbed in the stomach multiple times at Casa Rica. Elmer Miranda De Paz, 28, was accused of the crime and bail was set at $100,000. Alberto lost a lot of blood due to the stabbing, causing De Paz to be arrested for first degree assault.

3.

A Halloween costume contest resulted with a shooting at Dream Night Club on Canal Road in Hampton Bays. Carlo Petrusa, 64, was shot and later died due to a fight that escalated. Shawn Badgett, 35, was the event's promoter and was also shot. He was treated at Stony Brook Hospital and released. The shooter was dressed as a character from the movie "The Dead Presidents."

4.

Two Riverhead businesses found to be selling alcohol to minors during a sting that included 16 licensed retailers throughout Riverhead. Hess Mart on route 25A in Wading River and King Cullen on Route 58 in Riverhead both failed. Stephanie Eirman, 63, of Wading River and Kimberly Green, 33 of Flanders were charged with unlawfully dealing with a child.

5.

John Licausi, 51, from Riverside was convicted in June for aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter, driving while ability impaired by drugs and more. He ran a red light and struck a car driven by Scott, Foster, 46, of Manorville. It was determined that Licausi was a repeat felony offender and was therefore sentenced to 25 to life for the crash.

6.

Alfred Lee Marshall, 29, and Vashon Barrow, 34, were caught in a fight with intruders when Nessa Gilmore, 28, tried to use a shotgun to ward off the intruders. The gun discharged and accidentally shot Marshall in the back. Marshall's injury was not life threatening but the intruders remain at large.

7.

Two men were charged with promoting prostitution and two others with patronizing a prostitute. Manual Lopez-Garcia, 23, of Moriches and Guatemala City, and Francisco Israel Gonzalez-Charvirria, 36, of Hampton Bays and Mexico, were charged last month with operating a house of prostitution. They have a date in Southampton Town Justice Court, Jan. 18.

8.

Jamil Houpe, 29, from Riverhead was arrested on Route 58 and received felony DWI charges. State police observed him driving erratically and was pulled over and given a sobriety test, which he failed. He was previously been charged with a DWI.