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(Yaphank, NY/77WABC)-Suffolk County Police say a Bayshore man is under arrest facing multiple charges for allegedly impersonating a police officer and kidnapping two teenage girls 16 and 14 years of age on Wednesday afternoon Feb. 3rd, 2021 in Lindenhurst, NY.
Suffolk County authorities say, Donald Cristinao Jr., 46 years old of Bayshore, Long Island, is charged with two counts of Kidnapping 2nd Degree, two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, one count of Criminal Impersonation 1st Degree, and one count of Luring.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, a father of three children, called the incident “every parents nightmare.” He said after hearing of the alleged incident his relief that the girls were ok quickly turned to “anger.”
Authorities say, at approximately 3:35 pm Wed. afternoon, the two female teenagers were walking west on Herbert Avenue in Lindenhurst when a man driving a white SUV approached them, identified himself as a police officer, and asked them what they were doing. The girls told the man that they were walking to the library. He then told the girls to get in his vehicle and he would drive them to the library. Upon entering the library’s parking lot, he told the older girl to exit the vehicle so he could talk to the younger girl. He then drove off with the 14-year-old to Fireman’s Park.
The man parked the vehicle and allegedly began to touch the girl inappropriately, but she was able to fight him off and flee the vehicle.
Police commissioner Geraldine Hart says the 14-year-old “kicked the door open” running to a nearby home for help. The homeowner called 911.
Hart also said the 16-year-old sought help from a school crossing guard outside of the Lindenhurst Library. The guard she said thought something was “suspicious” and also called 911.
Both Bellone and Hart reminded people if anyone is ever approached by someone purporting to be a police officer, ask for identification including a badge. Hart said if the person makes you feel “uncomfortable,” immediately go to a public area and call 9-1-1. She said a 9-1-1 dispatcher can determine whether the person is a legitimate law enforcement official.
The Police Commissioner and The County Executive repeatedly praised police from the 1st Precinct for working through the night to effect an arrest within 24 hours.
Cristiano was held overnight at the First Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned today, February 5th, at First District Court in Central Islip, NY.
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