Motorcyclist sought after crashed bike found in Central Islip, police say

Police are searching for a motorcyclist who they said crashed into a utility pole Monday morning then abandoned his bike in the middle of a Central Islip street.

A 911 caller reported finding a "motorcycle in the street" on Lowell Avenue at 5:36 a.m., Suffolk County police said.

The rider was nowhere to be found, police said.

Police sent a canine search unit out at the scene, near Cranberry Street, but as of 10 a.m. still had not located the motorcyclist. Crime Scene Unit detectives are now investigating -- and police said the motorcycle has been impounded.

It is believed there are no other vehicles involved.

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.”