Crimes Nearby: Hit-and-Run Suspect was Involved in High School Sex Scandal

The following information was supplied by the Suffolk County police department. A criminal charge is only an accusation and does not indicate guilt.

HUNTINGTON

The Massapequa suspect accused of the hit-and-run death of an Old Bethpage man and his dog was once a teacher involved in a high-profile sex scandal involving one of his students, Patch has learned. 

Matthew Johnstone, 37, of North Massapequa, a former East Islip gym teacher, resigned five years ago after one of his students claimed he had an affair with her. 

Now an X-ray specialist at Huntington Hospital, Johnstone surrendered to police about an hour after running down Robert Michels and his dog, Sparky, on Round Swamp Road, authorities said.

SMITHTOWN

Brian Keane, 24, of Smithtown, was arrested on Sept. 10 and faces one felony charge of second-degree burglary and one misdemeanor charge of stolen property in the fifth degree. Police said Keane entered a home in Fort Salonga on Sept. 1 with the intention of committing a crime and, when arrested, had stolen property on him.

Brandon Dietrich, 25, of Smithtown, was arrested on Sept. 16 and charged with one violent felony count of first-degree robbery while displaying a handgun. Police said Dietrich pointed a handgun at another individual near the Plymouth Boulevard and Ridge Road intersection in Smithtown. He stole items from the individual before striking the person with the gun, according to police.

Jonathan Smith, 24, of Smithtown, was arrested on Sept. 16 and charged with one felony count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the second-degree and one felony count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. Suffolk police said Smith attempted to sell heroin in Smithtown near Old Willets Path and Veterans Highway intersection.

A 25-year-old Northport man was arrested Sept. 8 after he drove into a home on while intoxicated, Suffolk County police said.

Richard Jackson was driving a gray 2008 Audi when he crashed into a residence at 29 Normandy Drive in Northport at 1:30 a.m., police said.

Jackson was taken to the Second Precinct and charged with driving while intoxicated. No injuries were reported by police.

HAUPPAUGE

Susan Shindler, 53, of Hauppauge, was arrested Sept. 15 at 7:22 p.m. at her home and charged with third-degree grand larceny, a felony. Police said she allegedly took jewelry from a home in Melville on Sept. 5.