Latest news with #KevinCatalina
CBS News
7 days ago
- CBS News
Suffolk County police officer released from hospital as man accused of shooting him appears in court
The man accused of shooting a Suffolk County police officer earlier this week on Long Island appeared in court Friday, as the wounded officer was released from the hospital. Nieves Reyes pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and attempted murder of a police officer in front of a courtroom packed with law enforcement. Reyes is accused of killing a coworker Wednesday in North Bay Shore, a hamlet in the Town of Islip. While police were investigating the homicide, Reyes allegedly opened fire on them, shooting the injured officer in the face. The bullet entered just below the officer's eye, but he was released from the hospital Friday and is expected to make a full recovery. Police said the 33-year-old has been with the department for two years and is a Navy veteran who's married with three children. "I think he's in a lot of pain, but I think he understands this could've gone a lot worse. I think he's happy to be alive, and we're happy that he is alive," Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said Thursday. Meanwhile, Reyes is also charged with killing 66-year-old Eugene Allen, of Brentwood. Prosecutors said Reyes was seen chasing the victim with a machete. Allen's nearly decapitated body was discovered Wednesday in a wooded area near Reyes' home, police said. Investigators said the men worked together, possibly as mechanics, and had a prior dispute. Reyes was ordered held without bail Friday, and his attorney and family members declined to comment outside court.
Associated Press
24-07-2025
- Associated Press
Police officer shot in the face while investigating a killing in suburban New York
NORTH BAY SHORE, N.Y. (AP) — A police officer was shot in the face while attempting to search a home as part of an investigation into a recent killing in suburban New York, authorities said Thursday. They said the officer was expected to recover, and the suspect ultimately surrendered. The chain of events began Wednesday afternoon, when the body of a 66-year-old man was found in the woods in North Bay Shore, on Long Island. An investigation, including security camera footage, led investigators to want to question a former co-worker of the deceased, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said at a news conference. He said the two apparently were mechanics and had had conflicts in the past. Police obtained a search warrant and went to the 48-year-old man's home, where he fired on officers through an open door, the commissioner said. He said one officer, a 33-year-old former Navy medic with two years on the force, was shot in the face. The impact fractured one of his cheekbones and the bullet lodged near an ear, coming a half-inch (1 cm) from one of his eyes, said surgeon Dr. James Vosswinkel of Stony Brook University Medical Center. He said the officer was spared nerve damage and was on course for a full recovery. The officer underwent surgery to remove the bullet and was recuperating later Thursday morning. 'He's in a lot of pain,' the police commissioner said, but 'he's happy to be alive.' He said no officers fired. Instead, they surrounded the home and summoned hostage negotiators. The suspect surrendered around 6 a.m. Thursday, according to the commissioner. Police haven't yet released the officer's or suspect's name. Charges against the suspect are expected but haven't been announced.
CBS News
11-06-2025
- CBS News
Body found in Long Island swimming pool identified as murder suspect, police say
A man found dead in a Long Island swimming pool has been identified, and police say he was wanted for murder. The body of 23-year-old Matthew Zoll was discovered on May 25 inside the backyard pool in East Shoreham. Suffolk County Police said they had been searching for Zoll since Nov. 9, 2024. Police said he was wanted for the murder of his father, 61-year-old Joseph Zoll, who was stabbed to death inside a home in Rocky Point. Investigators search the area for weeks in November, but the son was never found. "We are currently waiting for a DNA analysis to confirm that, but, you know, based again on all of the ancillary evidence that we were able to uncover, we are investigating that strong possibility," Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said when the body was found last month. A homeowner discovered the body when he opened his backyard pool for the season. Police said it appeared the body had been in the water for a while. "It's just so disturbing. You take your pool cover off and... I mean, what if there was young children around or the poor family?" neighbor Sharon Healey said at the time.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Scammers are using AI to bilk victims out of millions: Here's how to protect yourself
This is no way to keep up with grandma. Cruel scammers are cheating elderly people out of millions of dollars with a new high tech scam that uses AI to find their grandchildren's voices on TikTok and then use the sounds to make phony phone calls designed to trick the seniors, cops on Long Island warned Friday. The scam involves criminals finding a vulnerable and elderly person with grandkids — then scouring social media sites like TikTok for videos of the young people speaking. They then use voice-cloning software and spoofed phone numbers to make panicked calls pretending to be that grandchild, claiming they've been arrested or hurt and urgently need bail money or medical funds. 'They're always trying to stay a step ahead,' Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina told The Post on Friday. Catalina confirmed the department has been seeing a growing number of these cases, and said the software criminals are using can perfectly emulate someone else's voice — often fooling the area's vulnerable and elderly population. 'It's often times a grandchild scheme we're seeing, where the individual will call and say that they are in some kind of trouble that requires money,' Catalina said. Police said victims have been duped into forking over thousands of dollars in cash and wire transfers — thinking they're rescuing a loved one when in fact they're being scammed by a synthetic voice and a criminal on the other end of the line. Catalina said the department has seen an uptick in these types of scams in recent months and warned the public to stay vigilant, especially when receiving emotional pleas involving money and secrecy. He advised families to establish a 'safe word' in case of emergencies, and to reach out to the person they are claiming to be after receiving the call to confirm directly before transferring any money. As for the scammers, Catalina warned that the department is making these crimes a high priority given the large amount of cases. 'If we find the individuals who do this, who know exactly who they're stealing from, we will prosecute you to the fullest — these crimes are a priority to us and we're gonna make sure that we get to the bottom of this,' Catalina said. In 2023, over 3,000 scams were reported on Long Island — resulting in over $126 million stolen from mostly senior citizens, according to the most recent data from AARP. Nearly $74 million was stolen from Nassau, and almost $54 million was taken in Suffolk that year alone. And Catalina warned it will only get worse as AI continues to progress. 'They're getting more and more sophisticated, so everybody has to be very careful,' he said.
New York Post
23-05-2025
- New York Post
Scammers are using AI to bilk victims out of millions: Here's how to protect yourself
This is no way to keep up with grandma. Cruel scammers are cheating elderly people out of millions of dollars with a new high tech scam that uses AI to find their grandchildren's voices on TikTok and then use the sounds to make phony phone calls designed to trick the seniors, cops on Long Island warned Friday. The scam involves criminals finding a vulnerable and elderly person with grandkids — then scouring social media sites like TikTok for videos of the young people speaking. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina (right) warned of a new AI scam Friday. Dennis A. Clark They then use voice-cloning software and spoofed phone numbers to make panicked calls pretending to be that grandchild, claiming they've been arrested or hurt and urgently need bail money or medical funds. 'They're always trying to stay a step ahead,' Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina told The Post on Friday. Catalina confirmed the department has been seeing a growing number of these cases, and said the software criminals are using can perfectly emulate someone else's voice — often fooling the area's vulnerable and elderly population. 'It's often times a grandchild scheme we're seeing, where the individual will call and say that they are in some kind of trouble that requires money,' Catalina said. Police said victims have been duped into forking over thousands of dollars in cash and wire transfers — thinking they're rescuing a loved one when in fact they're being scammed by a synthetic voice and a criminal on the other end of the line. Catalina said the department has seen an uptick in these types of scams in recent months and warned the public to stay vigilant, especially when receiving emotional pleas involving money and secrecy. He advised families to establish a 'safe word' in case of emergencies, and to reach out to the person they are claiming to be after receiving the call to confirm directly before transferring any money. As for the scammers, Catalina warned that the department is making these crimes a high priority given the large amount of cases. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said as AI continues to progress, scams will get more sophisticated dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images 'If we find the individuals who do this, who know exactly who they're stealing from, we will prosecute you to the fullest — these crimes are a priority to us and we're gonna make sure that we get to the bottom of this,' Catalina said. In 2023, over 3,000 scams were reported on Long Island — resulting in over $126 million stolen from mostly senior citizens, according to the most recent data from AARP. Nearly $74 million was stolen from Nassau, and almost $54 million was taken in Suffolk that year alone. And Catalina warned it will only get worse as AI continues to progress. 'They're getting more and more sophisticated, so everybody has to be very careful,' he said.
