Wyandanch, NY - January 3, 2016 - Suffolk County Police have arrested a Wyandanch man for weapons possession and assault charges in two separate incidents.
While on routine patrol, two First Precinct police officers observed a 2010 Honda parked at the end of Pine Street in Wyandanch at approximately 7 p.m. on January 2. As they approached the vehicle, the officers observed an occupant smoking marijuana and upon further investigation, a passenger in the rear seat, Maleek Ward, was found to be in possession of a loaded, defaced 9mm handgun. Ward, 18, of Wyandanch, was taken into custody and charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.
Further investigation by First Squad detectives determined Ward was responsible for an incident that occurred on January 1 at BP Gas Station, located at 1501 Straight Path in Wyandanch. During that incident, Ward intentionally struck a man with a 2012 Toyota RAV4 before the vehicle struck a gas pump, igniting a fire. Ward was charged with Assault 2nd Degree and Criminal Mischief 4th Degree for that incident.
Three other people who were in the car with Ward on January 2 were also arrested. Tony Whitehead, 23, of Central Islip, was charged with an outstanding warrant, Frederick Booker, 26, of Central Islip, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree and Daquan Cannon, 24, of Central Islip, was charged with Criminal Possession of Marijuana 5th Degree.
Ward will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on January 4. Whitehead was scheduled to be arraigned at Southampton Town Justice Court on January 3 and Booker and Cannon were scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on January 3.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.