Riverhead blotter: Home invasions, drugs and DWI arrests

An 84-year-old man was robbed and beaten inside his Glenwood Village home Saturday by a 38-year-old acquaintance who was later arrested in Riverhead, authorities said.

Police said Julia Townsend forcibly entered the victim’s home at the mobile home park and beat him unconscious. When he awoke a few hours later, he found a large amount of cash and jewelry missing. He was treated by responding Riverhead ambulance workers and then transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center. Police are not identifying the victim. Ms. Townsend, who police said is homeless, is facing first-degree burglary charges.

• A Coram woman was arrested Dec. 23 after she rear-ended another car in Calverton while allegedly driving drunk, authorities said. Erica Maher, 32, was traveling east on Route 25 about 5 p.m. when she slammed into the car in front of her, Riverhead Police said. Ms. Maher, who was slurring her words and had watery eyes, told officers the car in front of her had stopped short. Ms. Maher was charged with DWI and taken to police headquarters.

• A Riverhead man driving on along Gregory Place near Osborn Avenue hit a police cruiser during the Dec. 26 blizzard, police said. Thomas Goodwin, 55, told police he slid while driving on Gregory Place about noon and hit the squad car driven by officer Michael Lombardo, who was traveling south on Osborn. Officer Lombardo then hit a utility pole, some small trees and another parked vehicle on Osborn. No serious injuries were reported.

• An 87-year-old man was arrested Dec. 22 after he was caught with crack, authorities said. Police pulled over Walter Sanders of Riverhead about 4:30 p.m. for a traffic violation on East Main Street. Mr. Sanders then took a tissue out of his pocket and threw it on the floor of his car, police said. Police examined the tissue and found it contained crack. Mr. Sanders was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

• Brandon Berryman, 19, of Aquebogue was arrested by State Police last Wednesday after he was pulled over and found to be wanted on a bench warrant in New York City. Mr. Berryman was also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. No additional information was available.

• A Riverhead man reported that four men entered his home New Year’s Eve, pulled him out of bed, hit him over the head with a glass bottle and stole $150. The attackers then allegedly fled the Parkway Street home on foot. Police said the victim, who was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment of injuries, was uncooperative and intoxicated. The victim told police the attackers lived with him but he did not know who they are. He declined to press charges.

• Nessa Gilmore was charged at Riverhead Police headquarters Dec. 22 with second-degree reckless endangerment. No additional information was available.

• Esaw Laird, 27, of Riverhead was pulled over while driving near Stotzky Park about 4 p.m. Friday in Riverhead and charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. At the same time and place police also arrested Angelo Ramos and charged him with unlawful possession marijuana. It is not clear if the two incidents were related. No additional information was available.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.