Skip to main content

Cops Found Him ‘Furtive’

Thu, 12/28/2023 - 11:33

Town and village police charged two men with felonies in recent days following separate incidents, one at a house in East Hampton and another in the Reutershan Parking Lot.

On Dec. 19, East Hampton Village police stopped Michael R. Rossi of Riverhead in the parking lot at around 11 a.m. after noticing too-dark tints on the windows of his 2011 Nissan. An officer said Mr. Rossi appeared to be “overly furtive” when being questioned, leading to a search of the vehicle, which resulted in the discovery, in the center console, of a “small Ziploc bag . . . containing a white powdery substance.”

The substance field-tested positive for cocaine. Later, at police headquarters, it measured 1 gram in weight. Mr. Rossi, 33, stated, “I took it from the house I was cleaning because the husband isn’t supposed to have it.”

He was charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony, and was arraigned the next day by East Hampton Town Justice Steven Tekulsky, who released him on his own recognizance. Mr. Rossi is due back in Justice Court on Jan. 25.

Town police charged Jose R. Inga of East Hampton, 54, with a felony count of third-degree criminal mischief on the morning of Dec. 9 at his own house. According to the report, Mr. Inga threw a Modelo beer bottle at a wall-mounted TV belonging to another resident of the house, cracking it and causing more than $300 in damage.

He was arraigned the next day by Justice Lisa R. Rana, who released him on his own recognizance. Mr. Inga is scheduled to be back in court on Jan. 31, at which time he will appear before the town’s new justice, who is yet to be sworn in, David Filer.

They Know When You've Been Bad or Good

East Hampton Village is now home to 14 Flock license plate reader surveillance cameras, which amounts to one for every 108 full-time residents, if you go by the 2020 census data. They're heralded by local police for aiding in enforcement and investigations, but they use a technology that has proven controversial nationally with those concerned about civil liberties.

Dec 25, 2025

On the Logs 12.25.25

Responding Sunday night to a noise complaint from Wainscott Hollow Road, an officer heard loud music from a house and knocked on the door. The woman who answered said they were having a Christmas party.

Dec 25, 2025

Defied a Restraining Order

An East Hampton man was charged with a felony last week, accused of violating an active order of protection.

Dec 24, 2025

Town Police Dept. Ready for New Duties

The East Hampton Town Police Department says it is ready to take on dispatch responsibilities starting in January when it assumes responsibilities from East Hampton Village and becomes the primary Public Safety Answering Point, or P.S.A.P., in the town.

Dec 18, 2025

 

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.