Update: Police clear several members of group from Splish Splash incident
UPDATE (Aug. 31): Several of the individuals pictured in surveillance video at Splish Splash who were wanted for questioning in connection with an alleged forcible touching incident were cleared by Riverhead Town police. The individuals reached out to police and detectives determined after conducting interviews that they had no involvement in the matter and are no longer considered persons of interest, according to an updated Crime Stoppers alert from Suffolk County police.
Detectives would still like to speak to five other men, pictured above.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. Aug. 21 when a group of males subjected female minors to unwanted physical contact while in the wave pool.
Anyone with information can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, by texting “SCPD” and a message to “CRIMES” (274637) or by email at www.tipsubmit.com.
Original Story (Aug. 29): Splish Splash released a statement Wednesday responding to the report that a minor was groped at the park last week, saying a camp counselor in charge of the child denied offers from park security to report the incident to police.
“Splish Splash takes guest complaints very seriously — especially those where minors claim they have been inappropriately touched,” the statement from Gamini Perera, the director of sales of marketing, reads. “In this instance, one guest made a complaint and the security team took direction from the girl’s guardian. Splish Splash and its vendor, Titan Security, acted responsibly, thoughtfully and with care. The facts did not warrant any further action.”
On Aug. 21 around 4:30 p.m., a Huntington YMCA counselor approached park staff and stated that one of her minor female campers had reported being inappropriately touched in the wave pool.
“The girl claimed that she was inappropriately touched by a group who were playing with a soccer ball, but did not see anyone’s face to identify them,” the statement said. “The girl was also unable to relay any information about how she was inappropriately touched. The YMCA counselor, nor any of Splish Splash’s five on duty wave pool lifeguards, saw any inappropriate behavior,” the statement said.
The counselor also told security that “the parents didn’t need to be called because they were leaving the park soon,” according to the statement.
Security did follow through on the counselor’s request to eject a group of young men who matched the limited description they had from the park. They escorted the young men to the lockers, watched them gather their belongings and escorted them off property, according to Splish Splash.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Riverhead Town Police detectives are now looking to question the group that was asked to leave the park following the incident.
Detectives would like to speak to eight males and one female captured on security footage and in the above photo.
Newsday reported Tuesday that the mothers of girls at the park that day, including the one who was inappropriately touched, are frustrated with the park’s response to the incident and the pace of the Riverhead police investigation.
Anyone with information can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, texting “SCPD” and your message to “CRIMES” (274637) or by email at www.tipsubmit.com.
All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.
Photo caption: Security footage of people wanted for questioning released by Suffolk County Crime Stoppers Wednesday.
