Top Crime Stories of 2013

The police have been busy in Merrick during the past year. Here's a round-up of the top stories concerning Merrick that were featured on Merrick Patch.

10. Cops: Merrick Man Under Influence of Drugs, Led to Ocean Parkway Crash: A Merrick man was arrested after he was allegedly was under the influence of drugs when his vehicle was involved in a head-on crash.  

9. Merrick Man Convicted in LIRR Fraud Case: A federal jury  convictedMichael Costanza, a Merrick resident and Long Island Rail Road retiree who was accused of disability fraud, of fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud.  

8. Merrick Woman Accused of FEMA Fraud: Jena Sowinski of Merrick allegedly received thousands in FEMA disaster assistance after claiming her apartment was inhabitable after Hurricane Sandy.

7. Merrick Woman Arrested in Large Drug Bust: A Merrick woman was arrested  after a traffic stop in Elmont turned into a major drug bust.

6. Judge: Diner Owners Must Pay $338K to Underpaid Employees: Cousins Tassos Strifas of Merrick and George Strifas were  ordered to pay back approximately $338,000, plus back taxes and fines worth approximately $64,000 to underpaid employees. 

5. Police: Merrick Man Stole Thousands in Sports Memorabilia: A Merrick man was arrested after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of sports memorabilia from a Westbury store. 

4.Virginia Man Arrested For Burglary in Merrick: Donald Smith, 45, of Newport News, Va. jumped in Merrick Bay to avoid arrest for a burglary. 

3. Cops: Merrick Ambulance Thief Caught: Salvatore Brecciano, 46, of North Merrick, was arrested after he allegedly stole an ambulance from outside a Merrick fire house. 

2. Merrick Man Arrested for Impersonating a Cop, Fire Marshal: A Merrick man was arrested for impersonating a fire marshal and police officer in Garden City. 

1. UPDATE: Woman Jumped in Front of Train in Merrick: A woman was killed after she jumped in front of a train on a Merrick platform.