Police

Residents catch burglar in Riverside

A group of heads-up Riverside residents captured a would-be burglar who was masquerading as a Riverhead cop after he allegedly broke into their home early Saturday, authorities said.

Southampton Town Police said Bruce Parham, 50, described as homeless, entered the Old Quogue Road home through an unlocked door about 4 a.m. He then allegedly woke a sleeping resident by shining a flashlight, announced that he was a police officer and demanded money. The man told Mr. Parham he had no money, which caused Mr. Parham to get angry and strike the victim in the head, authorities said.

Other residents of the home rushed into the room and subdued Mr. Parham until police arrived. Mr. Parham was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center where he was treated and released, according to police.

Mr. Parham was charged with second-degree burglary, first-degree criminal impersonation and third-degree attempted robbery.

* Kevin Smith, 39, of First Street in Cutchogue was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree menacing last Wednesday night on Pleasure Drive in Flanders, police said.

Mr. Smith was allegedly involved in a dispute with his ex-wife’s husband, whom he threatened with a shotgun or rifle. He pulled the trigger, but the gun didn’t go off, police said. Four long guns were seized from Mr. Smith after his arrest, authorities said.

* Andre Pyatt, 43, whose address was listed as the homeless sex offender trailer on the county jail property in Riverside, was charged with failure to register as a sex offender last Thursday afternoon at police headquarters. Mr. Pyatt had not resided at the address he had given police since April 2010, which was the trailer, and when he showed up at headquarters for his scheduled 90-day registration he was taken into custody, according to police, who said they did not know where he stayed when he wasn’t at the trailer.

The homeless sex offenders staying in the trailer are required to sign in each night, police said. Mr. Pyatt was convicted of first-degree sexual abuse in 1997 in Albany, according to the state’s sex offender registry.

* A Flanders woman reported last Wednesday that someone had accessed her PayPal account and made an unauthorized online purchase in the amount of $69, according to police. The transaction was made May 30, police said.

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.