Off-Duty Suffolk County Police Officer Accused Of Pointing Gun At Three Women
PATCHOGUE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A police officer has been arrested for allegedly pointing a gun at three women on a Long Island street while he was off-duty earlier this month.
Suffolk County Police Officer Gregory Hanrahan pleaded not guilty to three counts of menacing Tuesday.
Police say the incident allegedly happened Nov. 5 at about 1:45 a.m. on West Main Street in Patchogue.
Prosecutors said Hanrahan allegedly made lewd remarks to the women before he brandished the handgun.
It was not immediately clear if the gun allegedly used in the altercation was police-issued.
Surveillance video is said to have captured the encounter. The accusers, identified in court papers as victims, summoned help from a local public safety officer.
"Just a block up the street, and usually we're pretty in touch with public safety as well as security guards for PSA that do a great job of keeping us informed," local bar manager Mike Robinson told CBS2's Jennifer McLogan.
The 32-year-old, who has been an officer with the department for two years, was suspended without pay and his guns were seized. He was supported in court by the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association and his wife, who offered no comment.
A department internal investigation is also underway.
"These allegations are extremely disturbing and will never be tolerated. This type of misconduct is taken very seriously and was vigorously investigated by the Suffolk County Police Department," Assistant Police Commissioner Justin Meyers said in a statement. "In addition to the criminal charges filed today, the officer has been suspended without pay and the SCPD will continue to take all appropriate actions."
A judge issued three orders of protection on behalf of the women and set bail at $4,500.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
