On August 26th, Monsey Scoop reported on a frightening incident in Suffern, when a driver suffering a medical emergency lost control of his vehicle and crashed into Curley’s Corner restaurant on Orange Avenue. The driver was taken in critical condition to Good Samaritan Hospital, while the restaurant, owned by Suffern Mayor Michael Curley, sustained damage that he estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Authorities have now revealed a shocking update. The story, first reported by Jerry DeMarco of Independent Online News, A man who appeared to be a good Samaritan rushing to aid the unconscious driver has been accused of stealing from the victim instead. According to Mahwah Police Capt. Michael Blondin, Daniel Santos, 49, of Mahwah, entered the vehicle under the guise of helping but instead removed the victim’s $3,000 watch and took credit cards from his wallet.
Within just 15 minutes of the crash, the victim’s family began receiving alerts that his credit cards were being used. Several fraudulent charges were made both in Rockland County and in Mahwah, investigators said.
Police reviewed surveillance footage and quickly identified Santos, who had already been arrested in June along with his girlfriend, Natalie Sarkissian, on charges of selling cocaine from their Paddington Square condominium in Mahwah. In the new footage, Santos could be seen wearing the victim’s stolen watch, police reported.
On September 4th, Mahwah Detectives Christopher Fasulo and Timothy Letavish, joined by Detective Lt. Kevin Hebert, Detective Sgt. Eric Larsen, and Officer Anthony LoFaro, stopped Santos in his vehicle. A search of his residence uncovered the stolen watch, the victim’s credit cards, several ounces of cocaine, a scale, and packaging materials.
Santos was charged with receiving stolen property, use of a stolen credit card, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was first processed at Bergen County Jail before being transferred to Rockland County Jail. Sarkissian, 34, was also arrested on drug charges but was released the following day by a Superior Court judge.
Curley’s Corner remains closed as repairs continue from the devastating crash.
What a winner