Friday, December 14, 2018
Vol. 78, No. 50
$1
Pet store owners charged with selling illegal reptiles
TOYS FOR TOTS
also look to update their platform to promote additional services and products to the community as a whole. Other plans for the new year include the Chamber working together with Plainview-JFK High School to create internship programs for students. “It is important that high school students get a sense of the working
Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that two people and two businesses were arraigned on a 52-count grand jury indictment for the alleged illegal possession, transportation, commercialization of dangerous wildlife, including common snapping turtles, Gila monsters and Mexican beaded lizards. DA Singas said on September 10, following a monthslong investigation and pursuant to a warrant, law enforcement agents from the Nassau County SPCA, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Nassau County fire marshals, and the NCDA Investigations Bureau searched the premises of Reptile Rage, a pet store in Levittown, and discovered several dangerous reptiles, including a six-foot-long Asian monitor lizard. During the search, authorities allegedly discovered Defendant Dellecave, the owner of Reptile Rage, did not possess a required permit for an Asian monitor lizard or several other exotic animals. The lizard was also allegedly housed in an unlocked enclosure in the front of the store that could easily have been opened by any member of the public. In addition to their bite, water monitors are known for using their tails and sharp claws as weapons. Later in the day, SPCA officials went to Dellecave’s Seaford home where they allegedly found defendant Cammarata, Dellecave’s nephew, with a Gila monster lizard crawling out of a square storage container inside his vehicle. Gila monsters are one of only two venomous lizards in the world, and while their bites are not deadly, they are extremely painful. Currently, there is no antivenin for Gila monster bites. Following a further search of the vehicle, three Gila monsters, one alligator, two dwarf caimans, five Mexican beaded lizards, a 9mm silver handgun, shotgun, ammunition, and controlled substances were also allegedly recovered. According to the District Attorney, the investigation revealed the defendants allegedly imported some of the reptiles from Florida, where they are legal, into New York where they are illegal, for several years. In total, 83 animals, valued on the black market at
See page 17
See page 17
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino (front row third from left), and members of the Tow Board announced the success of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Toys for Tots Collection Drive and commended the United States Marines Corps for their continued service to our nation’s children. Pictured with the Town officials are Retired Major Chuck Kilbride (front row center), Nassau County Police Department PBA President & Toys for Tots Co-Chairman James McDermott and Toys for Tots Assistant Coordinator Sergeant Andrew Diaz.
Chamber has big plans for new year BY GARY SIMEONE
Plainview-Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce president Andrew Lamkin is looking to make a few changes for the upcoming year. Some of the changes include growing the Chamber’s membership numbers, holding additional workshop classes, and putting together networking events. Lamkin, who is principal in
the Law Firm, Andrew Lamkin P.C., said that in 2019 he wants the Chamber to hit a few new milestones. “We’re looking to grow our current membership of 222 members to include more businesses in 2019,” said Lamkin. “We want to increase our networking events for members and hold newly scheduled workshops.” He said that the Chamber will
Group collects funds for vets PAGE 8 Elementary students talk cells PAGE 12