Over the past two weeks, Southold Town police responded to a wide range of calls that reflected the season’s mix of routine problems and unexpected complications. The department continues to investigate a series of vehicle break-ins — the latest on Knollwood Lane in Mattituck — as well as multiple DWI arrests, reports of damaged property and several disputes that unfolded in parking lots, private homes and along Main Road. They were also called to check on threatening text messages, mediate a fight between friends preparing to travel for the holidays, and sort out everything from a loose-goat sighting to an agitated hospital patient who kept returning after being discharged.
Nov. 18 — A Southold man reported that an unknown vehicle had either backed into or sideswiped the rear passenger-side of his vehicle while it was parked at a Main Road business in East Marion. The business does not have security cameras, according to a police report.
Around 9:30 p.m., Suffolk County police requested assistance from Southold officers in interviewing a 63-year-old local man who said he received concerning text messages from his daughter, who claimed she was being held in a car by a 59-year-old Amityville man who “wouldn’t let me go anywhere.” The man told police his daughter stopped responding to messages after that. A police official said the case was ultimately transferred to Riverhead, which had jurisdiction.
Nov. 19 — Around 8:30 a.m., a Mattituck woman on Knollwood Lane reported that an unknown person had “cracked” the rear passenger-side door window of her husband’s Tesla truck, causing an estimated $650 in damage. The couple’s Ring camera did not capture the incident, and the truck’s cameras had been turned off to save battery power, according to a report.
Around 1 p.m., an anonymous caller reported that a 29-year-old Cutchogue man was “disturbing a pothole” at a country club on Main Road in Cutchogue. A responding officer spoke with the man, who said he was simply “standing on the grass enjoying the weather.” No further action was taken.
Around 3:30 p.m., a Mattituck man reported that a dog charged at him and attempted to bite him as he left a recreation center on Peconic Lane. He provided vehicle information on the dog’s owner, who later told police the Mattituck man had “attempted to kick the dog.” All parties were uninjured, according to the report.
Nov. 20 — Around 1 p.m., a Third Street resident in Greenport reported that two Greenport men were refusing to leave her property. A responding officer determined the woman was “highly intoxicated” and said one man had left the area and the other had never been there, according to the report.
Nov. 22 — Around 1 a.m., Jalen Shelby, 32, of Greenport, was arrested for alleged driving while intoxicated after an officer reported observing his vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign near Main Road and Main Bayview Road in Southold.
Around 2 a.m., Angel Rodriguez, 35, of Cutchogue, was arrested for alleged driving while intoxicated after a patrol officer reported observing the vehicle he was driving fail to maintain its lane on Middle Road in Mattituck.
Around 5:30 p.m., a patrol officer observed a vehicle traveling westbound on Front Street in Greenport with an improperly attached, forward-facing light. The driver, identified by his Guatemalan ID card, was unable to provide proof of insurance. A records check showed the vehicle had no insurance on file. It was towed and impounded.
Near midnight, a 25-year-old Greenport woman reported she was involved in a physical altercation outside a convenience store on Front Street. She said a friend had driven from upstate New York to pick her up for a holiday trip, but the two argued about “the amount of money that would be paid for gas,” leading to a physical dispute. The driver left the area with diapers and baby formula the woman had placed in the car ahead of their planned trip. The next day, police were called to a local hospital to interview the woman following concerns about “her ability to care for” an infant in her care.
Nov. 23 — Near 1 a.m., David Sheperd, 27, of Shelter Island, was arrested for alleged driving while intoxicated after police reported his vehicle was swerving and had insufficient taillights on Main Road in Southold.
Around 3 p.m., police received a report of “loose goats attempting to cross Route 48” in Peconic. An investigation determined the animals were within fencing enclosures and could not reach the roadway.
Around 10 p.m., police were called to a local hospital for a report of an “irate patient” who had been discharged but was refusing to leave and “acting aggressive.” The 39-year-old Riverhead man was “uncooperative and agitated,” but left without incident. About an hour later, he returned, insisting staff had not returned all his belongings and vowing he “would not leave without” them. He again left without incident, and a notice of trespass was filed.
Nov. 24 — Around 3 a.m., Maria Perez, 50, of Greenport West, was arrested for alleged driving while intoxicated after the vehicle she was driving allegedly failed to maintain its lane near Main Road and Locust Avenue in Cutchogue. She was transported to police headquarters and held for morning arraignment.
Around 11:30 p.m., at the request of a Florida sheriff’s office, Southold police attempted to make a death notification to a 91-year-old Southold woman whose son had died in Hernando County, Fla. No one was home. The report noted the house appeared unoccupied for “a couple of months.” Southold police advised authorities in Florida.
Nov. 25 — Around 3:30 p.m., police were called to a gas station on Main Road in Cutchogue for a report of an intoxicated man causing a disturbance after being denied entry to the store. Police offered the 59-year-old Peconic man a ride home, and he agreed, requesting to be taken to a 7-Eleven in Riverhead.
Around 9:30 p.m., police responded to a Southern Cross Road home in Cutchogue after a woman said her boyfriend took an unknown quantity of her prescription medication for depression. Both later said he had not taken any medication. He told police he had pretended to take it to get her attention about his concern for her pregnancy. She said her doctor told her the medication was safe and that both could discuss the matter at her upcoming appointment. Police were satisfied with the resolution.
Nov. 26 — Around 9:30 a.m., a Mattituck woman reported that someone had rifled through her Chevy Equinox overnight — the latest in a series of car break-ins. She told police her internet service was down, so her surveillance cameras were not working at the time.
Nov. 27 — The property manager at Mattituck Plaza reported around 8 a.m. that the parking lot’s exit sign had been damaged overnight. The manager said none of the plaza’s cameras cover the exit, but suggested a bank across the street may have captured video. Police are investigating.
Around 5 p.m., a Greenport convenience store owner reported that an intoxicated man came into the store asking for matches and became angry when told he would have to wait, yelling, “Let’s go outside and fight.” The man fled before police arrived. Officers obtained an image of him from the store’s surveillance cameras.
Nov. 29 — Around 1 p.m., police received a report of a juvenile sitting unattended in a car near Mechanic Street and Main Road in Southold. A 50-year-old Jersey City woman told police the child asked to wait in the car while she ran another errand. Police observed the child eating a sandwich and in no distress.
Nov. 30 — Around 11:30 a.m., a 36-year-old East Marion man reported receiving a WhatsApp text from an unknown number stating, “I told you to stay away from my baby. I don’t care if I go to jail.” The man said he and his family “do not have any problems with anybody,” and he could not imagine who sent the message. He asked that the incident be documented and said he would block the number.