'Missing' Street Crime Evidence Turns Up

Evidence from the now-defunct Street Crime Unit of the Southampton Town Police Department that had gone missing from a secure evidence room has surfaced, according to Newsday.

Newsday reports that the evidence, which was composed of a variety of illicit and prescription drugs, was sought by Chief Robert Pearce for an internal investigation of evidence handling. But when he went looking for it, it was not where it was supposed to be.

Pearce told Newsday that the evidence was located in a "secure area" where evidence is sometimes kept, and the chain of evidence was preserved. However, Southampton Town Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Vice President Kevin Gwinn said the evidence box was found in a room rarely used for evidence, namely, the detective’s supply room.

Read the report at newsday.com. [Subscription may be required.]

The Street Crime Unit, which was disbanded by the previous police chief, William Wilson, has been at the center of controversy and negative attention placed on the department. The Suffolk County district attorney’s office initiated a review of more than 100 cases conducted by the Street Crime Unit while a member of the drug enforcement unit was addicted to prescription painkillers himself, and the unit's handling of evidence has come under scrutiny. The investigation has resulted in convictions of purported drug dealers being thrown out, and subsequent lawsuits against the department and town.