Crimes Nearby: PTA Prez Charged With Stealing

A former Harborfields School District Special Education PTA President was arrested and charged with stealing $3,000 from the organization over a number of years, Suffolk Police said.

Following an investigation by Second Squad detectives, it was determined that Torres stole the funds while holding various positions in the volunteer organization between Jan. 1, 2007, and July 31, 2012. Her last position with the group was president.

Torres, 42, of Huntington, was charged with third degree grand larceny and will be arraigned Thursday afternoon at First District Court in Central Islip.

• Charged With Selling Alcohol To Minors

Suffolk County Police arrested two men after they were caught selling alcohol to a minor during a State Liquor Authority check at several businesses in Commack and Huntington Station.

The Second Precinct Crime Section conducted a New York State Liquor Authority check at seven businesses in Commack and Huntington Station last week. Police said some of the businesses were selected based on community complaints while others were selected at random.

Two businesses that failed the inspection were Jenny’s Deli and Grocery in Huntington Station and Hess Express in Commack, police said.

During the check, police said Luis Lopez, 50, of Huntington Station, an employee of Jenny’s Deli and Robert Dispenza 19, of St James, an employee of Hess Express were arrested and charged with Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 1st degree for selling alcohol to an underage agent. The businesses will also be referred to the State Liquor Authority.

The five businesses that refused to sell alcohol to a minor were US Petroleum in Commack, Mishael’s Deli in Huntington Station, Compruebe Deli in Huntington Station, Chapi Deli in Huntington Station and Los Campos Deli in Huntington Station

Dispenza and Lopez were issued appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on April 2.

• Stolen Alcohol

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk Police are seeking the public’s help in finding a man who stole a bottle of liquor from an Islip Terrace store.

According to police, a man concealed a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label under his sweatshirt and left the LQ Liquor and Wine Store, located at 64 Carleton Ave., without paying for the liquor. He fled the scene in a gray Honda Civic.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.