Skip to main content

Felony Charges for N.J. Pair

Thu, 08/22/2024 - 11:37

Two Jersey City residents were set to return to East Hampton Town Justice Court on Thursday in a virtual follow-up after both were arraigned on July 26 on charges of possessing stolen property; one was additionally charged with felony drug possession.

According to police reports released this week, Francisco Leonpopa, 24, and Melissa Rossi, 22, were allegedly in possession of a J.P. Morgan Visa credit card at Duryea’s in Montauk on July 25 without consent of the cardholder. Later that day on South Emery Street in Montauk, police said Mr. Leonpopa was found to have three vials of a substance that later tested positive for crack cocaine. The drugs weighed over 500 milligrams, according to police.

Police charged Mr. Leonpopa with a class-D felony for drug possession and two class-E felonies for possession of the stolen property. Ms. Rossi was charged only with one class-E felony for possession of stolen property.

The next day, East Hampton Judge Steven Tekulsky released both Mr. Leonpopa and Ms. Rossi on their own recognizance and scheduled the virtual follow-up.

On the Police Logs 08.20.26

No crime was committed on Aug. 12 on Front Street in Springs, where police responded to a report that a man was holding a shotgun. Police said it was in fact a BB gun, which the man told them he uses to scare off squirrels and other small animals.

Aug 20, 2026

Montauk Art Show Targeted by Thieves

Just weeks after the sentencing of the woman who drunkenly drove through the Montauk Art Show last year, destroying many paintings, photographs, and handmade crafts, the event was targeted again, this time falling victim to thieves and vandals.

Aug 20, 2026

July Train Robber Brandished a Knife

Metropolitan Transportation Authority detectives have charged a Bronx man with robbery, saying that in East Hampton last month, he stole money from another train rider and then brandished a knife in his face.

Aug 20, 2026

Multiple Pileups as Labor Day Draws Near

East Hampton Town police reported multiple accidents last week as local roads fill up for the final weeks of summer.

Aug 20, 2026

 

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.