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Riverhead blotter: Southampton man faces drug charges

A Southampton man was arrested on drug charges in Riverhead Monday night, according to officials.

David Cox, 50, was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument Monday night on Hubbard Avenue in Riverhead, where Mr. Cox was found in possession of cocaine, according to police.

The charge is a Class C felony punishable by up to 15 years in jail.

• Appliances, cabinets, plumbing fixtures and copper material was reported stolen from property on Osborn Avenue in Riverhead last Tuesday afternoon. The investigation has been turned over to Riverhead Town detectives. The estimated value of the stolen items was unknown.

• Robert Ritchwood, 25, of Bellport was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs Tuesday night at 11:22 p.m. on Old Country Road in Riverhead.

• Estuardo Ramiro Pop-Artola, 32, address unavailable, was charged with third-degree assault following a disturbance at El Caracol Deli on Griffing Avenue about 6 a.m. Sunday.

• An unknown man removed four handbags with a total value of $800 from the Michael Kors store at Tanger Outlets just before 6 p.m. Friday. The suspect then fled the scene, according to police.

• A woman’s car keys and car were reported stolen from the Kmart parking lot on Route 58 last Wednesday afternoon. The 1998 Ford Escort was later found in Suffolk County Police jurisdiction, according to officials.

• Nine backpacks with a total value of $240 were reported stolen from Dick’s Sporting Goods on Route 58 last Wednesday afternoon. A man was spotted taking the items and leaving in an unknown direction in a silver four-door sedan, police said.

• Kenneth Stevens, 21, address unavailable, was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny at PC Richard & Son Friday at about 6 p.m. He was processed at police headquarters and released on $500 bail, according to police.

• An American flag was reported stolen from property on Southfield Road in Calverton last Wednesday afternoon. The flag was valued at about $20, according to police.

Several thefts of American flags have been reported in Riverhead Town in recent weeks.

• A black and red high-handle bicycle valued at $150 was reported stolen near the Long Island Aquarium on East Main Street last Tuesday afternoon by an unknown man, who was seen removing the bike, police said.

• About $90 worth of “consumable goods” were reported stolen from King Kullen on Route 58 by an unknown man Monday afternoon, according to police.