If the sirens sound in Commack, we do our best to be on the beat to get the story for our readers not long after. Below is a look at some of the top police stories of the past year. Want to give us a tip in 2012? Email editor Kaitlyn Piccoli at: kaitlyn.piccoli@patch.com
Commack junior , 16, was struck and killed on the Northern State Parkway in April. According to police, Cavaliere had attended a party at a friend's house near the scene prior to the accident. The driver involved was not charged in the accident.
: Following Cavaliere's death, a 7-Eleven employee and two Dix Hills residents were charged with violating alcohol laws related to the fatal accident, police said.
: Susan Torns, 58, of Melanie Way, allegedly struck a car carrying four people head-on, injuring herself and the passengers in the other vehicle on Veterans Memorial Highway in March.
: Roseann Zarra, 67, died from head injuries sustained during a collision with another vehicle on Veterans Memorial Highway on Dec. 22, police said.
A Commack businessman was one of three defendants convicted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in February for their roles in the $70 million "Metro Dream Homes" Ponzi scheme.
A 20-year-old Brentwood man was arrested in February and charged with during a large fight at the motel in November 2010, according to police.
: A teen driver was killed in April when his car collided head-on with a freight truck on Crooked Hill Road near the Commack-Brentwood border.
: Brian Dorak, 30, was struck by a Mazda RX8 travelling westbound on Vets Highway near Apple Lane in Commack in June and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. No arrests were made in the accident.
: Commack resident Anthony Verlucci was arrested two times in five days, and charged with DWI Drugs while travelling on the Long island Expressway in June, according to police.
: An 86-year old Commack man was killed in July as he attempted to pull out onto Jericho Turnpike from Kentucky Fried Chicken.
: The convenience store located at was robbed by an armed man in early June.
: One month later, two armed men robbed another 7-Eleven in Commack in early september. The suspects mde off with an unspecified amount of cash, police said.
: A North Patchogue man was arrested and charged with three counts of third degree robbery after he allegedly robbed TCBY in Commack on Sept. 11 as well as three nearby banks, police said.
But I suppose it's newsworthy. There's a saying in the news-biz...'if it bleeds, it leads.'