In 2012, the Commack community has been shocked by news of a former high school graduate's murder to a string of neighborhood burglaries that left residents on the lookout.
Looking over the last year, we count down the 10 Worst Crimes of 2012:
* Sheriff Arrests Mother for Commack Grad's Murder: An autopsy on Commack High School graduate Gabriel Philby-Zetsche, found dead in his upstate New York apartment in July, revealed he was killed and his body went undiscovered for five days. Albany Sheriff's offices has arrested Tracy Zetsche, 52, and charged her with second-degree murder of her son.
* Police Confirm 6 Commack Burglaries in Two Weeks: Suffolk County police have confirmed that six Commack homes have been burglarized in two weeks. The slew of home invasions has many area residents speaking out about what they are calling a rash of recent burglaries in the area. Three of the reported burglaries occurred on Jan. 6, and two more on Jan. 10, according to police.
* A Huntington man who manages a youth baseball team was arrested in September on charges of reportedly harassing a Commack man coaching another team.
* : The Town of Smithtown was robbed of more than $200,000 by a trio operating a recycling scheme in town for more than two years, officials said, and that amount is likely to increase.
* Attorney General: Commack Store Selling Designer Drugs: A Commack store, East Coast Psychedelics, is facing a lawsuit from the state attorney general for allegedly selling synthetic designer drugs and being labeled a "head shop."
* Commack Man Accused of Armed Gas Station Robbery: A Commack man was arrested Nov. 28 for allegedly holding up a Blue Point gas station at gun point. Suffolk County police say Paul Zigon, 57, entered a BP gas station on Montauk Highway at 10:27 p.m. on Nov. 28 and started demanding cash.
* : Six people were arrested and a manager cited in March during a state liquor authority check at Arizona Bar and Grill, police said.
* Cops: Landlady Stole from Tenant's Home: A Commack woman has confessed to stealing cash and jewelry from a tenant living in her basement apartment, Suffolk County Police announced on Sept. 4.
* Hate Crimes Unit Investigating Graffiti Incident at Local Parks: Suffolk County Hate Crimes Unit is investigating a rash of graffiti incidents at a handful of parks in the area - including Burr Winkle Park and Cedar Road Park - and while no gang activity is suspected, the offensive nature of some of the markings could lead to felony arrests.
* Vandals Damage Sports Equipment at Commack High School: Vandals destroyed sports equipment at Commack High School in September, and police are looking for anyone who might have information.
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