Cella-Christopher-21-483523
Suffolk County, NY (77WABC)-A Seldan man is under arrest for allegedly targeting and physically attacking Hispanic men. Police say in one incident a man was choked, another man was attacked after being brought to a remote location and a third potential victim managed to escape 19-year-old Christopher Cella’s vehicle. Police say there may be more victims.
Police arrested Cella at his home on Sunday. He is charged with two counts of Aggravated Harassment 2nd Degree, two counts of Criminal Obstruction of Breathing, two counts of Unlawful Imprisonment 2nd Degree under the Hate Crimes Law, and one count of Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree under the Hate Crimes Law.
In the first incident, investigators say Cella drove to the area of La Placita, located at 711 Horseblock Road in Farmingville, and picked up a 52-year-old Holbrook resident at approximately 8:15 a.m. on Friday, September 17th. Cella, according to police, brought the man to an abandoned construction site on Blue Point Road in Farmingville, where he attacked him.
Cella then left the construction site and drove to the vicinity of 7-Eleven, located at 3000 North Ocean Ave. in Farmingville, where, just after 9 a.m., he picked up a 60-year-old Medford resident. Cella brought him to the Blue Ridge Condominium Complex, located on Granny Road in Medford. There, Cella attacked and choked the man before the victim was able to escape.
The following morning, at approximately 8 a.m., Cella went back to the North Ocean Avenue location and picked up a third victim, a 47-year-old Brentwood resident. Cella attempted to bring him to an unknown location. The man became suspicious and was able to escape Cella’s vehicle.
Detectives from the Suffolk County Police Hate Crimes Unit, detectives from the Sixth Squad and Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers, arrested Cella of 254 Adirondack Drive, without incident at his home Sunday morning.
Cella was held overnight at the Sixth Precinct overnight and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip today.
The investigation is continuing. Anyone who believes they may be a victim of Cella is asked to contact Hate Crimes Unit detectives at 631-852-6553.
