Nissan stolen from Ronkonkoma Marriott, crashed in Centereach, cops say

The car was stolen from the parking lot of the Courtyard Marriott along the Long Island Expressway in Ronkonkoma sometime between 8 p.m. Feb. 7 and 9 a.m. Feb. 8, police said.

Later, on the night of Feb. 8, Super Bowl Sunday, it was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Centereach.

Now, Suffolk County police are asking the public’s help in locating the four people — three men and a woman — who fled the scene on foot after the crash, which occurred at about 8:45 p.m. at the intersection of Mark Tree Road and Tree Road.

Police said the stolen car, a 2015 Nissan Altima, was taken from the hotel parking lot on Express Drive South.

Later, it struck the 2013 Nissan Rogue head-on, police said.

Police recovered the car and photos show the front end heavily damaged as a result of the crash. It was not immediately clear what evidence was recovered from the vehicle.

Police said the suspects may have been carrying a Moe’s Southwest Grill bag, leading investigators to believe they may have eaten at a Moe’s restaurant in the Centereach area just before the accident. Police are asking anyone with information about the foursome to call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477.

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

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.”