Shelter Island Police Department blotter: Aug. 3, 2026

Those named in arrest reports or receiving police summonses have not been convicted of a crime. In court, the charges against them may be reduced or withdrawn or the defendants may be found not guilty.

ARREST

On July 31, at 7:16 p.m., William Orlando Salazar-Hernandez, 28, was placed under arrest following an investigation into a reported motorcycle accident on North Cartwright Road. The defendant was found to exhibit multiple indicators consistent with intoxication and arrested for driving while intoxicated. Shelter Island Town Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and the defendant refused medical assistance for minor injuries. After being held overnight pending arraignment, he appeared before Shelter Island Justice Court and was released on his own recognizance and directed to return on a future court date.

TRAFFIC SUMMONSES

On July 24, Alexander Vojciehowski of Riverhead received a summons for operating a vehicle with visibility distorted/broken glass on North Ferry Road.

Cathleen J. Parsons of Shelter Island was ticketed on July 26 on New York Avenue for failure to stop at a stop sign. 

John R. Andrew of Shelter Island was issued summonses on July 29 for operating an uninsured motor vehicle while its registration was suspended or revoked, on West Neck Road.

37 parking tickets were issued last week.

ACCIDENT

On July 24, Christopher H. Cleary of Jamaica, N.Y. was disembarking the North Ferry when his vehicle struck the side of the boat, causing damage in excess of $1,000 to his vehicle.

MARINE TICKETS, INCIDENTS

Jean-Michel L. Bus of Sag Harbor received a summons on July 25 in West Neck Harbor for having a child aboard a vessel not wearing a personal flotation device.

On July 26, Stephen L. Clarke Jr. of Sag Harbor was ticketed off Crescent Beach for not having a boater’s safety certificate, and no personal flotation device (PFD) on a child under 12.

Police contacted the owner of a dinghy that washed up on July 24. A caller reporting persons tubing after dark in West Neck Harbor was advised that it was legal from sunrise to sunset and to call police with registration numbers if a boat was observed tubing after sunset. Multiple vessels illegally anchored in West Neck Harbor were advised to move on July 25 and 26. Responding to a report of a possibly disabled vessel off the Sunset Beach Hotel, an officer deployed a drone and observed two persons waving a white cloth. There was no sign of distress, the vessel was under power and in waters in the Southold jurisdiction. 

An Environmental Conservation Law check on Ram Island on July 25 found 16 people fishing, no violations. A check on Reel Point on July 26 found nine people fishing, no violations. 

OTHER REPORTS 

In response to a door alarm activation on July 24, officers searched a residence for intruders at the owner’s request and found no emergency. In response to a report from a Heights resident of multiple vehicles parked illegally in front of her home, parking tickets were issued to several vehicles on July 26. Two youths operating e-bikes on North Ferry Road on July 26 were advised of state and local laws forbidding their operation. The parents were advised and the youths pushed the bikes home.

Police investigated a report on July 26 of underage drinking at a bar; they canvassed the area with negative results. 

Officers conducted radar enforcement on St. Mary’s Road; distracted driving on South Ferry Road; radar and distracted driving on West Neck Road on July 27, with three warnings issued.

An officer observed a person driving a vehicle on a beach in Ram Island on July 27 and advised him that a Town permit was required to drive on the beach. 

In other reports: police responded to accidental 911 calls; reported downed trees; provided lift assists; conducted well-being checks; and completed rifle re-qualifications. 

ANIMAL INCIDENTS

The Animal Control Officer (ACO) retrieved a nest of baby bunnies disturbed by a dog in Hay Beach on July 27 and will raise them until they’re able to be released. A caller reported finding prehistoric bones in Hay Beach on July 28; the ACO recognized them as belonging to a fawn. The ACO assisted with searches and retrievals for several dogs at large.

ALARMS

A smoke detector was activated on Ram Island on July 24, caused by shower steam. Shelter Island Fire Department and 1st Assistant Chief J.C. Chavez declared a false alarm. A smoke alarm was activated in the Heights on July 24 by a hotel guest smoking in the bathroom. SIFD confirmed there was no emergency. Smoking was reported to have caused another activation in the restaurant later. Police and SIFD were unable to confirm that but declared no emergency.

A living room smoke alarm was activated in a Heights residence on July 25 by starting a fire in a fireplace that puffed smoke back into the house. SIFD said the alarm was appropriate. A CO alarm was activated in Tarkettle on July 26. SIFD responded and found no CO. Assistant Chief Chavez declared no emergency. Investigating an audible smoke alarm coming from a Center residence on July 26, an officer located the detector between outdoor cushions on a porch and disabled the alarm. 

A fire and smoke alarm went off in Shorewood on July 28. SIFD and Assistant Chief Chavez declared a false alarm. Another activation in Shorewood that day was declared a false alarm by Assistant Chief Chavez.

An outdoor outlet fire in Longview on July 26 drew a response from police and SIFD. The owner reported having the deck power washed and believed water got into the outlet, causing a fire when he used it. Assistant Chief Chavez declared no emergency once the fire was out but advised the owner to contact an electrician to replace the wires.

On July 29, an alarm was going off in the Center; a smoke detector was found in a crate outside. Assistant Chief Chavez removed a battery to disable it. A CO alarm was activated in the Center on July 30. SIFD responded and detected CO in a garage. A caretaker said cars in the garage were started, leading to the buildup of CO. SIFD deployed fans to air it out. 2nd Assistant Chief P. J. Lechmanski said the alarm was appropriate. 

AIDED CASES

Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services and Stony Brook Paramedic responded to aided cases on July 24, 25, 26 (2), 28 (2), and 30. Six persons were transported to Eastern Long Island Hospital for treatment. One person was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center.