Year In Review: Breaking Crime News in Riverhead

During the past year, some high-profile crimes stories made headlines in Riverhead. What story do you remember most vividly?

1) Cops: Woman Attacked in Tanger Bathroom, Search On for Suspect: A 67-year-old woman said that she was attacked by a man in a bathroom at the Tanger Outlet Mall in Riverhead on Oct. 29, police said.

According to Riverhead Town Police, a call came in at noon about the alleged attack. The woman told police that she had been using the public bathroom, where a man was hiding in another stall. As she exited the stall, the woman said the man pushed her back inside and got behind her, placing one of his arms around her neck and trying to force her to the floor, police said.

The victim was screaming for help when another woman entered the bathroom, police said; she left the bathroom and rushed to a nearby store to notify personnel that an attack was underway in the ladies' room.

Police said the suspect fled the scene on foot toward River Road; police searched the area with the assistance of K-9 units.

The public has been asked to assist in the search. The suspect has been described as a "young-looking" black man, clean-shaven, between 5'6" and 5'8" tall, with a slim build and last seen wearing a dark-colored hoodie.

According to police, no suspect has been found, and the incident remains under investigation.

2) Judge: Alleged Armed Gunman Held Up String of Stores to Feed Heroin Habit: A Manorville man charged with a string of armed robberies was stealing to support his heroin habit, according to Judge John Iliou, who unsealed his indictment in November.

Paul Tromblee, 35, of Manorville, was indicted on nine charges of robbery in the first degre, a felony, and one count of robbery in the third degree, a felony. He was held on $250,000 cash bail and $500,000 bond, according to the judge.
Attorney Steven M. Politi of Central Islip represented Tromblee and entered a not guilty plea; he will pursue a jury trial, he said.  

3) Cops: New Photos of Route 58 Armed Robbers Revealed; Public's Help Needed: Police have released two photos of men they say were involved in the armed robbery of Route 58 Hess station in September.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Riverhead Police are asking for the public’s help to identify and locate the two men.

According to police, two black men entered Hess, located at 870 Old Country Road, on Sept. 13 at 10:30 p.m. and robbed an employee at gunpoint. The men fled with $200 in cash and $100 in Newport cigarettes. 

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

4) Cops: Little Boy Gave Carjacker $1: A mother driving with two children in her car was carjacked on Sound Avenue in Wading River on New Year's Eve, Riverhead Police said.

When the mother had no money to give the alleged culprit, police said her seven-year-old son gave the man a dollar.

According to Riverhead Police, a woman was driving on Sound Avenue, between Hulse Landing Road and Baiting Hollow Hill on Monday with her seven-year-old and one-and-a-half year old children when a man flagged her down around noon.

Although the woman's description of the man was "very vague," Riverhead Detective Sgt. Joseph Loggia said she told police he was a black male of medium build, approximately 5'10, wearing all dark clothing with a hoodie.

Loggia said although the suspect never displayed a weapon, "at some point during the conversation, he asked for money and mentioned he had a gun."

The suspect, police said, got in the vehicle and asked the woman if she had any money; she said no. "Her son gave him a dollar," Loggia said.

Next, police said, the man gave instructions to be driven to Osborn Avenue, where he got out of the car on Middle Road just east of the traffic circle.

5) DA: Riverhead Teacher Pleads Guilty to DWI; Gun Charge Dropped: After months of speculation, Riverhead fourth grade teacher Joseph Johnson pleaded guilty on Thursday in Suffolk County Court to misdemeanor drunken driving, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota.