Cops seek arsonist in Riverhead vehicle fires

Police are asking for help in identifying and catching the person who set fire to multiple vehicles in a fenced-in yard last summer on West Main Street in Riverhead.

Neither Riverhead Town police nor Suffolk County police said how many vehicles were torched on Aug. 10. But a Crime Stoppers account of the incident included photos of two of the vehicles, both of which suffered significant fire damage.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-8477 or the Riverhead Town police detective squad at 631-727-4500, ext. 327. Tipsters can also send texts to SCPD at CRIMES (274637) or can email police at www.tipsubmit.com.

All calls, texts and emails will remain confidential and tipsters are eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for any information leading to an arrest, police said.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”