LONG ISLAND CRIME BRIEFS

FORT SALONGA/Driver of SUV sought in hit-run that killed worker

Fourth Squad detectives are searching for the driver of a dark-colored sport utility vehicle wanted in a fatal hit-and-run accident in Fort Salonga, Suffolk County police said.

Witnesses told Crime Stoppers and detectives the SUV, probably made between 1994 and 1999, hit and killed a construction worker at about 1:35 a.m. Friday and then sped off.

Victor Schultz, 49, of Massapequa Park, and another worker from Intercounty Paving in Hicksville were loading a milling machine onto a trailer near the side of Route 25A when Schultz was struck, police said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other worker was not injured, police said.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477, or text SCPD and a message to CRIMES (274637). All correspondence will be kept confidential. -- GARY DYMSKI

FREEPORT/LIRR stops service during search for burglary suspect

Freeport police looking for a burglary suspect yesterday morning requested power be cut to service on the Long Island Rail Road, prompting cancellations and delays on the Babylon branch, an LIRR spokesman said.

Spokesman Sal Arena said Freeport Village police asked that power be cut to the railroad as they conducted their search between about 4:45 and 5:45 a.m., and Metropolitan Transportation Authority police complied. Police did not catch the suspect, Arena said, and full power was restored after about 45 minutes.

Officials said three trains to Penn Station -- the 5:18 a.m. train from Wantagh, the 5:41 a.m. train from Babylon and the 5:44 a.m. train from Amityville -- were canceled because of the search. -- GARY DYMSKI

MASTIC/Driver escapes with minor injuries in crash into creek

A driver who crashed his car into a creek in Mastic early yesterday escaped with minor injuries, Suffolk County police said. His car had to be pulled from the water.

The man, whose identity was not released, missed a turn on Patchogue Avenue traveling at "a high rate of speed," police said, and crashed his late-model Cadillac into East Millpond.

The man was able to escape the vehicle, police said. He was transported to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue, where, police said, he was treated for minor injuries.

Police said officers from the Seventh Precinct, the Marine Bureau scuba team and the Mastic Fire Department scuba team assisted in the search of the vehicle, with light provided by a police helicopter.

Police said no charges have been filed. -- JOHN VALENTI

SOUTHAMPTON/Teen accused of bringing gun to school suspended

The Southampton High School senior who brought a gun onto school grounds last week has been suspended for the rest of the school year, but he will be given tutoring through the district so he can graduate with his class, according to school officials.

The 17-year-old student, who is being treated as a youthful offender by the courts, was arrested Oct. 26 after an unloaded shotgun was found on the floor of his car, parked in the school parking lot. His name was not released by the courts or police because of his age.

He was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon for having the 20-gauge single-shot Stoeger shotgun in his 2009 Jeep Wrangler, Southampton Village police said. -- STACEY ALTHERR AND MARK HARRINGTON