12 Arrested In Undercover Drag Racing Bust In Suffolk: Police

DEER PARK, NY — Twelve men were arrested over the past month in an undercover drag racing sting in Deer Park and East Farmingdale, Suffolk County police announced Friday.

Police said they launched the sting after numerous complaints from local communities. Police arrested some drivers immediately following the races and others were arrested after.

Police said they seized 10 vehicles and are looking for two others.

The following people were arrested:

• Kevin James, 21, of Islip, was arrested Nov. 10 and accused of drag racing in a 2017 Honda Civic on East Industry Court in Deer Park at 10:35 p.m. He was charged with illegal speed contest, reckless driving, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle and issued multiple traffic violations.
• Anthony Rodriguez, 19, of Central Islip, was arrested Nov. 10 and accused of drag racing in a 2020 Honda Civic on East Industry Court in Deer Park at 10:35 p.m. He was charged with illegal speed contest, reckless driving and issued multiple traffic violations.
• Zain Javaid, 23, of Farmingdale, was arrested Nov. 15 and accused of drag racing in a 2013 Audi AS4 on Allen Boulevard in East Farmingdale at 2:40 p.m. He was charged with illegal speed contest, reckless driving and issued multiple traffic violations.
• Nicholas Welker, 19, of Ronkonkoma, was arrested Nov. 16 and accused of drag racing in a 2019 Dodge Charger on Allen Boulevard in East Farmingdale on Nov. 15 at 2:30 p.m. He was charged with illegal speed contest and reckless driving.
• Matthew Girimonti, 22 of Bethpage, was arrested Nov. 16 and accused of drag racing in a 2019 Ford Mustang on Allen Boulevard in East Farmingdale on Nov. 15 at 2:15 p.m. He was charged with illegal speed contest and reckless driving.
• Nathan Schaffert 28, of Huntington, was arrested Nov. 18 and accused of drag racing in a 2012 Ford Mustang on Allen Boulevard in East Farmingdale on Nov. 15 at 2:45 p.m. He was charged with illegal speed contest and reckless driving.
• Frank Gutman 27, of Kings Park, was arrested Nov. 23 and accused of drag racing on Allen Boulevard in East Farmingdale on three occasions Nov. 15. He was charged with three counts of illegal speed contest and three counts of reckless driving. Police are trying to locate Gutman’s 2020 Chevrolet Camaro with the New York license plate KEN 9374.
• Joseph Raimondi, 22, of Middle Island, was arrested Nov. 23 and accused of drag racing in a 1991 Mercedes Benz 500 on Allen Boulevard in East Farmingdale on Nov. 15 at 2:30 p.m. He was charged with illegal speed contest and reckless driving.
• Deybi Zelaya-Campos, 20, of Central Islip, was arrested Nov. 25 and accused of drag racing in a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse on Allen Boulevard in East Farmingdale on two separate occasions on Nov. 15. He was charged with two counts of illegal speed contest and two counts of reckless driving.
• Henry Portillo-Perez 22, of Roosevelt, was arrested Nov. 30 and accused of drag racing in a 2012 Nissan 370Z on Allen Boulevard in East Farmingdale on two separate occasions Nov. 15. He was charged with two counts of illegal speed contest and two counts of reckless driving.
• Peter Bueno 29, of Brentwood, was arrested Dec. 1 and accused of drag racing on Allen Boulevard in East Farmingdale on two occasions on Nov. 15. He was charged with two counts of illegal speed contest and two counts of reckless driving. Police are trying to find Bueno’s 2008 BMW 335I with the New York license plate JJD 4951.
• Joel Cineas 20, of East Islip, was arrested Dec. 1 and accused of drag racing in a 2020 Toyota Supra on Allen Boulevard in East Farmingdale on Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. He was charged with illegal speed contest and reckless driving.

The arrestees will be arraigned at First District in Central Islip at a later date. All vehicles were seized under Suffolk County law.

All photos courtesy of Suffolk police