Crime & Safety

Top 5 Crime Stories of 2013: J-Lo's Stalker Caught; Arson Alleged in Southampton

Also: Justin Bieber gets into fight in Southampton club.

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Taylor K. Vecsey, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge

It should be surprise that some of the most talked about stories are those that have to do with the crimes alleged to have been committed in our area. Here are just five of the most read crime-related stories of 2013:

5.  Man Charged in Ponzi Scheme Claimed Funds Were for Shinnecock Tobacco Shop

A Dix Hills man is being arraigned in federal court Dec. 10, on wire and mail fraud charges in connection to a Ponzi scheme totaling more than $5 million after he told investors they would be financing wholesale cigarette purchases on behalf of a Shinnecock Nation tobacco shop.

4. Cops Offer Cash Reward in Southampton Village Burglary, Arson

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Police are asking for the public's help to identify the suspects who burglarized a house in Southampton Village, stole a Jeep and then torched it last month.

3. Police: Armed Men Storm North Sea Home, Leave With Cash

Police said it was just before midnight on Oct. 15 when two men barged into a home on Widener Lane carrying a revolver and a shotgun. The homeowner was in the house at the time of the robbery, according to the police report. Police said the two men grabbed $1,500 in cash from an envelope inside the home as well as the keys to a Ford vehicle, and then fled. The report did not indicate that the vehicle was taken.

2. Bieber Brawls in Southampton

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Justin Bieber found himself skirting more trouble, this time in the Hamptons.

The pop superstar who has been tabloid fodder recently for his antics reported ripped off his shirt and brawled with a fan while partying at South Pointe nightclub in August.

1. Cops: Jennifer Lopez's Stalker Found Squatting in Her Pool House

A man whom police said is stalking actress-singer Jennifer Lopez was arrested at her Water Mill house in August. Southampton Town police said workers at the house called police after a suspicious man was found on Lopez's property on Aug. 8.

Are there other stories you expected to be on this list? Tell us in the comments below.

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