“I see too much violent crime being committed by young punks who think that they can get together in gangs and crews and beat the hell out of you or anyone else.” These were the words of former New York Judge Jeanine Pirro, now the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, speaking at a press conference by President Trump on cracking down on crime in the nation’s Capitol.
She could have been talking about Suffolk County, where a group of young punks drove a stolen car through a house in Mastic Beach.
According to Suffolk Police, two male teenagers were arrested after they crashed a stolen 2014 Kia Optima into a residence at 196 Washington Avenue. Seventh Precinct officers, patrolling in an unmarked vehicle, spotted the Kia at the intersection of Mastic Road and Patchogue Avenue around 4:30 p.m. The car had been reported stolen earlier in the day.
When marked patrol units attempted to stop the car, the driver sped off. Minutes later, the Kia plowed into the home. The driver tried to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended, while his passenger remained in the vehicle. Both teens were taken to NYU Langone Hospital–Suffolk in Patchogue with non-life-threatening injuries.
No other injuries were reported. The Town of Brookhaven Fire Marshal assessed the residence for structural damage, and the Kia was impounded.
The 16-year-old suspects, whose names are being withheld due to their age, were each charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the fourth degree. They were issued Field Appearance Tickets and will be arraigned at the Youth Part of First District Court in Central Islip at a later date.
Detectives from the Seventh Squad are asking anyone with information about the incident to call 631-852-8752. Police remind the public that a criminal charge is an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.