Crime & Safety

Crimes Nearby: Couple Charged With Endangering Three Children

A look at crimes and incidents across the region as reported by Suffolk County Police.

A Huntington Station couple was arrested and charged by police with endangering the welfare of their three children following a car accident Tuesday in Greenlawn.

Wilver Garcia-Lopez, 28, was charged by police with aggravated driving while intoxicated with a passenger 15 years old or younger and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. In addition, Dorita DeGarcia, was charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

According to police, Garcia-Lopez was a driving a 1999 Oldsmobile west on South Lane when he lost control of the car and crashed into the front stoop of a house at 3 South Lane. Following the crash, which happened at 9:05 p.m., DeGarcia fled the scene with the three children returning to a house at 22 South Lane where the family had attended a baby shower earlier that evening, police said.

DeGarcia and her three children were transported to Huntington Hospital where they were treated for minor injuries. Garcia-Lopez was not injured.

Garcia-Lopez and DeGarcia were arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip.  

• Police Rescue Dogs From House Fire

Three officers from the Third Precinct along with members of the Brentwood Fire Department rescued two dogs from a house fire in Bay Shore on Wednesday.

According to police officers Christine Cunningham, Joseph Bianco and Bridgette Dormer, responded to a house fire at 971 Spur Drive North at just after 6 p.m.  The officers were prevented from entering the home because of thick black smoke from the fire. 

However, through a broken window, Cunningham was able to pull a small-breed dog out of the home. Brentwood volunteer firefighter Gabriel Castillo was able to enter the house and rescued a bullmastiff.Residents were not home at the time of the fire.

Bianco and Dormer suffered smoke inhalation and Cunningham cut her arm reaching through the shattered window. Castillo suffered cuts and received first aid at the scene.

All three officers were taken to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore where they were treated and released. 

The Arson Squad is investigating the cause of the fire but it is believed to be non-criminal.

• Wallet Thief Sought

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Second Squad detectives are looking for a man they said stole a wallet from a vehicle in Greenlawn.

According to police, a man entered a 2005 Chrysler parked on Colgate Road and stole a wallet either on April 5 or April 6. The man used a stolen debit card on April 6 at the BP gas station located on Route 110 and Great Neck Road in East Farmingdale.  

The suspect was described as black, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and approximately 160 pounds. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt under a black vest. 

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.  All calls will be kept confidential.  


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