Mom, Daughter Ran $160K Retail NY Theft Ring, Stashed Items In Surprising Spot: Police Mom, Daughter Ran $160K Retail NY Theft Ring, Stashed Items In Surprising Spot: Police
Mom, Daughter Ran $160K Retail NY Theft Ring, Stashed Items In Surprising Spot: Police A mother and daughter operated a coordinated retail theft ring across Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and New York City, authorities said Thursday, July 30. Maria Betances, 47, and Leslie Cruz, 24, had nearly $160,000 worth of stolen goods and $30,000 cash at their homes in Valley Stream and Queens, respectively, according to the Queens District Attorney’s office. The duo operated the scheme for months, directing at least four burglars to hit stores in Nassau, Westchester, and Rockland counties, along with Queens and Staten Island, according to New York State Police. Betances also ran the …
LI Middle School Weed Gummy Case: Dealer Cuts Plea Deal And Faces Deportation, Authorities Say LI Middle School Weed Gummy Case: Dealer Cuts Plea Deal And Faces Deportation, Authorities Say
LI Middle School Weed Gummy Case: Dealer Cuts Plea Deal And Faces Deportation, Authorities Say A Long Island drug dealer admitted selling weed gummies to a middle school student, eventually sending 12 children to a local hospital, authorities said Thursday, July 30. Wilmer Castillo Garcia, 23, pleaded guilty to third-degree drug possession and child endangerment in exchange for a two-year prison term, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said. Castillo Garcia, of Mastic, is a Guatemalan native and will face deportation after serving his sentence, according to authorities. His legal problems began in March 2025, when a dozen students at William Floyd Middle School in Moriche…
This Common Kitchen Spice Shows Promise Against Cancer Cells In Early Study This Common Kitchen Spice Shows Promise Against Cancer Cells In Early Study
This Common Kitchen Spice Shows Promise Against Cancer Cells In Early Study An ingredient found in kitchens around the world is drawing scientific attention for what it did under tightly controlled laboratory conditions. Researchers tested five plant-derived compounds against mouse fibrosarcoma cells and normal rat muscle cells, according to a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Curcumin, the compound that gives turmeric its yellow color, produced the most balanced combination of cancer-cell activity and preliminary safety, researchers found. Curcumin, the compound that gives turmeric its yellow color, produced the most balan…
Second Man Charged In $74K Forged US Treasury Check Scheme At Nassau County Capital One Second Man Charged In $74K Forged US Treasury Check Scheme At Nassau County Capital One
Second Man Charged In $74K Forged US Treasury Check Scheme At Nassau County Capital One A second man has been charged in connection with a scheme that allegedly used a forged U.S. Treasury check to steal more than $74,000 from a Capital One bank in New York, police announced Wednesday, July 29. Laron McCravey, 40, of Freeport, is accused of acting in concert with Dwayne S. Campbell during the June 12, 2024 incident at the Capital One branch on West Sunrise Highway in Valley Stream, according to Nassau County Police.  Campbell, 40, of Springfield Gardens, allegedly deposited the fraudulent U.S. Treasury check at the bank, causing a loss exceeding $74,000, as Daily Voice pr…
Accused Killer LI Teen’s Baffling Mental Health Evals Lead To Third Exam Accused Killer LI Teen’s Baffling Mental Health Evals Lead To Third Exam
Accused Killer LI Teen’s Baffling Mental Health Evals Lead To Third Exam The Long Island teenager accused of killing his girlfriend in a botched murder-suicide is headed for a third mental health evaluation. Austin Lynch, 18, of Nesconset, was ruled competent to stand trial in one case and incompetent in another case, so Judge Anthony Senft ordered another test on Tuesday, July 28, News 12 Long Island reported. Lynch’s ex-girlfriend, Emily Finn, ended the high school couple's relationship during her first semester at SUNY Oneonta in the fall of 2025, and investigators described Lynch’s behavior in those months as obsessive and overbearing. But over Thanksgiving…
12-Year-Old Girls Targeted For Self Harm, Sexual Images By LI Man On Snapchat, Feds Say 12-Year-Old Girls Targeted For Self Harm, Sexual Images By LI Man On Snapchat, Feds Say
12-Year-Old Girls Targeted For Self Harm, Sexual Images By LI Man On Snapchat, Feds Say A Long Island college student forced two 12-year-old girls to send him nude pictures, instructed one girl to harm herself with a razor, and attempted to recruit more victims, authorities said. Jordy Contreras, 21, of Brentwood, was indicted Tuesday, July 28 and held in Nassau County jail, according to Newsday. Contreras used Snapchat to communicate with his pre-teen victims beginning in December 2025, federal investigators said. He promised to pay one victim, identified only as Jane Doe 1, over Roblox in exchange for nude images, according to charging documents. Additionally, Contreras ask…
Serial Bank Robber From NY Caught Fleeing PA Bank With Bag Of Cash Sentenced Serial Bank Robber From NY Caught Fleeing PA Bank With Bag Of Cash Sentenced
Serial Bank Robber From NY Caught Fleeing PA Bank With Bag Of Cash Sentenced The New York man who was caught fleeing a Pennsylvania bank with a bag of stolen cash has learned his punishment. Marc Masich, 48, of Amherst, NY, was sentenced Wednesday, July 29, after admitting to a six-bank robbery spree that targeted financial institutions in Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery counties during late 2024, the Bucks County District Attorney's Office announced. Bucks County President Judge Raymond F. McHugh sentenced Masich to nine to 18 years in state prison. He was also ordered to pay $20,255 in restitution and have no contact with the six banks or the six employees involve…
Casino-Loving LI Attorney’s Case Expands, $100K More Stolen: Authorities Casino-Loving LI Attorney’s Case Expands, $100K More Stolen: Authorities
Casino-Loving LI Attorney’s Case Expands, $100K More Stolen: Authorities A thieving Long Island attorney stole $100,000 more than previously known from several additional clients, authorities said Wednesday, July 29. Peter Giattino, 43, of Wading River, was indicted on multiple new charges for thefts totaling $855,480, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said. Giattino was first arrested back in January, when prosecutors accused him of stealing $750,000 as part of a Southampton home transaction in June 2025. In that incident, a home buyer wired Giattino the money, then he withdrew it and blew it at various casinos and on personal expenses, investigator…
NBA-Mob Gambling Case: LI Mobster ‘Fat Nick’ Takes Plea, Along With Gambino Son, Feds Say NBA-Mob Gambling Case: LI Mobster ‘Fat Nick’ Takes Plea, Along With Gambino Son, Feds Say
Nba-mob Gambling Case: LI Mobster ‘Fat Nick’ Takes Plea, Along With Gambino Son, Feds Say A Long Island-based mob associate pleaded guilty in the wide-ranging poker and point-shaving scandal on Tuesday, July 28. Nicholas Minucci, 39, of East Northport, copped to wire fraud conspiracy in the sprawling case, Newsday reported. He is now one of 15 people to plead guilty, of 34 initially named suspects, officials said. NBA head coach Chauncey Billups, active player Terry Rozier, and former player Damon Jones are the biggest names in the case, with the feds accusing them of rigging poker games alongside the mob and aiding an illegal sports betting operation. Minucci, also known as “F…
Search Intensifies For American Woman Who Went Missing During Beach Trip In Caribbean: Update Search Intensifies For American Woman Who Went Missing During Beach Trip In Caribbean: Update
Search Intensifies For American Woman Who Went Missing During Beach Trip In Caribbean: Update A trip to one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated shorelines has turned into a mystery with a family desperate for answers. Elizabeth “Liz” Waddell, 44, of Cary, North Carolina, was last seen at Grand Anse Beach in St. George’s, Grenada, on Wednesday, July 22, according to the Royal Grenada Police Force. Police issued the missing-person alert on Thursday, July 23. The alert describes Waddell as 5 feet 5 inches tall, with a medium build and short blonde hair. It identifies her as a US citizen residing in the Grand Anse area during her stay. Authorities asked anyone who has seen Waddell or k…
LI Serial Killer’s Home Targeted By Masked Duo With Family Inside: Report LI Serial Killer’s Home Targeted By Masked Duo With Family Inside: Report
LI Serial Killer’s Home Targeted By Masked Duo With Family Inside: Report Two masked people banged on the door of notorious Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann’s home on Tuesday, July 28. A short clip of the incident, captured by a doorbell camera and obtained by Newsday, shows one person knocking on the door of the Massapequa Park home, then both people sprinting away. Heuermann’s ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, and their two children were home at the time, according to Newsday. They were not harmed. Ellerup’s lawyer, Robert Macedonio, told Newsday the incident was an example of the “constant harassment that she faces on a daily basis.” Though Ellerup reported the i…
‘Deranged’ Nassau Killer Chatted With Wife On FaceTime Minutes After Sister-In-Law’s Murder: DA ‘Deranged’ Nassau Killer Chatted With Wife On FaceTime Minutes After Sister-In-Law’s Murder: DA
‘Deranged’ Nassau Killer Chatted With Wife On FaceTime Minutes After Sister-In-Law’s Murder: DA A Long Island man who killed and raped his sister-in-law took a FaceTime call from his wife in the middle of the crime, authorities said Wednesday, July 29. Joseph Horner, 27, was indicted Wednesday on murder and rape charges in the killing of 25-year-old Victoria Castle at their home in North Massapequa on Monday, June 29, the Nassau County District Attorney’s office said. Prosecutors said Horner killed Castle by strangling her to death, then left her on a bed and received a video call from his wife, the New York Post reported. After chatting casually on the call, Horner hung up and procee…