Police: Mattituck Man Arrested for Involvement in East Islip Burglary

The following information was supplied by the Suffolk County Police Department. A criminal charge is only an accusation, and does not indicate convictions.

Suffolk County Police reported the arrest of a Mattituck man on Wednesday for his involvement in a burglary at a home in East Islip on April 13.

Martin Tarpey, 25, of 595 Bay Avenue in Mattituck was charged with first-degree burglary and will be arraigned Wednesday at First District Court in Central Islip.

Tarpey was one of four men involved in the burglary at 60 East Adams Street in East Islip during which one burglar, Fred Flock, 27 of Coram, was shot and killed by a resident of the home during the early morning hours of April 13, police said.

The burglars, one armed with a .22 caliber rifle, forcibly entered through a rear door of the home at 12:19 a.m., police said. Once inside the home, the armed man shot a dog — a pit bull, which is expected to survive,  after which point a male resident of the home, also armed with a shotgun, confronted the men and shot Flock, was pronounced dead at the scene, and Justin Benkov, 25 of Mastic. Suspects Tarpey and Philipe Robinette, 27, of Aquebogue, fled the scene.

Benkov was transported to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore where he is listed in critical condition, police said. He will be charged on an active warrant for fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Robinette was located a short time after fleeing the scene by Third Precinct Sergeant Paul Bowden and was charged with first-degree burglary. He was arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip.

The investigation is continuing. The resident of the home who shot and killed Flock has not been charged, police confirmed.