Crimes Nearby: Woman Pleads Guilty In Cancer Fundraising Scam

Here’s a look at some of the top police stories that made headlines in and around your community this past week.

Patchogue

Police: Husband Finds Wife Murdered in Their Medford Home

A Medford woman was found dead in her home by her husband Monday night in what Suffolk Police are classifying as a murder. Police said Fifth Precinct officers were called to the home located at 5 Norway Pine Drive around 8:30 p.m. after Eric Connelly, 47, discovered his wife, Bonnie Farrell, 45, dead in their bedroom.

Sachem

Police: Driver Runs Out of Gas, Killed While Crossing LIE

A 24-year-old Coram man was struck and killed by a minivan Tuesday night after his car ran out of gas and he attempted to cross the Long Island Expressway on foot, police said. Ryan Marshall was driving a 2005 Honda CRV eastbound on the LIE when his vehicle ran out of gas between exits 62 and 63 in Holtsville, police said.

Sayville

Man Struck By Car in Sayville While Trying to Rescue Dog

This story was updated Wednesday morning with more details on the victim and driver of second car involved in the incident. The man hit Tuesday evening on Broadway Avenue in Sayville suffered a broken leg and no life-threatening injuries, according to information provided by Suffolk Police Wednesday morning.

The driver who hit the man, who had been trying to rescue his dog that was hit and killed by another vehicle that left the scene, was not injured in the incident and there are no charges filed, according to police.

Three Village

Man Rushes Past Greeter at Murphy Jr. High, Nabbed by School Personnel

A man was apprehended Wednesday by school personnel at Murphy Junior High School after rushing past the entrance greeter. According to an email sent to parents from school principal Vincent Vizzo, the incident involved a young-man who had fled from a community group home.

Port Jefferson

East Northport Teen Reported Missing

The Suffolk County Police Department issued a Silver Alert for 17-year-old Melissa DiDaniele, of East Northport, on Wednesday night.

DiDaniele, who has ties to the South Fork, was last seen in Central Park in New York City on Dec. 6, but she left her house on Dec. 2. Police said she may be suffering from bipolar disorder.

Miller Place-Rocky Point

Woman Pleads Guilty to LI-Wide Cancer Scam

Brittany Ozarowski pleaded guilty Monday to pretending to have cancer in order to solicit thousands of dollars from people throughout Long Island.

Ozarowski pled guilty to a 24-count indictment including charges of grand larceny and forgery, a spokesman for the Suffolk County district attorney told the Associated Press.