Crime Watch

Police bust North Merrick heroin house

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Nassau County police raided a North Merrick home at 7:35 p.m. on Aug. 30 and arrested five people after authorities received several reports of “drug activity” at the house. Inside, police said they found 41 grams of raw heroin –– equivalent to 2,000 bags of the drug –– along with marijuana and a loaded 9mm pistol.

The home is on Merrick Avenue, only three blocks south of Old Mill Road, where Old Mill Road Elementary School is located. The house is also near a child day-care center, authorities said.

According to police, among the home’s occupants were Richard Reid, 30; Sterling Simonee, 20; Shaina Thompson, 20; and Constance Buonauro, 48. All four were arrested. A 3-year-old was found at the house as well.

Christina Kaempf, 34, of Allison Drive in North Bellmore, was also arrested after leaving the home in possession of heroin.

Police charged Reid with three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child.

Buonauro was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.

Thompson was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child.

Simonee was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Kaempf was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

All five defendants were arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Aug. 31. Their attorney information was unavailable at press time.