Cops seek help in Freeport slay probe

Nassau County homicide detectives on Monday asked the public's help finding suspects in the shooting death of a man whose body was found in the driveway of a Freeport home earlier this month.

The county's Crime Stoppers agency offered a reward in the case of as much as $5,000 for those who provide information leading to an arrest.

Miguel Perez was shot at approximately 9:48 p.m. on Aug. 9 in front of 78 Rutland Rd., and Freeport police responded after someone called 911 a minute later to report shots fired, police said.

The night of the shooting, neighbors told Newsday that Perez, 23, lived on Rutland Road with his girlfriend and was the father of an 8-day-old girl and 14-month-old boy. Neighbor Kay Avery said she heard "three pops" Thursday evening.

"I didn't even move. I thought it was the fireworks," she said, adding that fireworks are common in the area this time of year. Avery said she was shocked when her son told her a few minutes later that Perez had been shot and killed.

"He always had a smile on his face," Avery said. "He always had so much respect. Always spoke polite. Why would anyone shoot him?"

Avery said Miguel did not have a car and was often seen riding his bike in the neighborhood or to work at a restaurant on the Nautical Mile.

Avery's nephew told Newsday that he saw Perez sitting at the edge of his driveway with a friend minutes before the shooting. Michael said he could not think of a reason why anyone would shoot Perez.

"Miguel would help anybody," the nephew said. "He'd go around shoveling snow for the neighbors."

Crime Stoppers asks anyone who has any information about this crime to call its toll free hotline, at 800-244-TIPS (800-244-8477); or the homicide squad at 516-573-7788.