Headlines That Topped in January

As we welcome February 2013, here is a quick look back at the top headlines posted by Westhampton-Hampton Bays Patch in January.

1. Real-Life 'Jaws' Arrives in the Hamptons

A great white shark that was swimming off the South Fork shoreline has made its way back out to sea, according to OCEARCH, a Utah-based nonprofit organization, which tagged the shark and uses real-time technology to track it as part of its efforts to learn more about the animal that inspired the Steven Spielberg film "Jaws."

2. Jay Lockett Sears Faces Child Porn Charge; Community Shocked

Westhampton Beach and Quogue community members were shocked to learn that Jay Lockett Sears, a man who touted his dedication to children through a Quogue-based nonprofit organization, Mission of Kindness, was arrested and charged with one count of child pornography by the FBI on Jan. 25.

3. Cops: Hampton Bays Man Sodomized Boy

A 33-year-old Hampton Bays man was arrested on Jan. 4 for a sex crime that occurred last winter with a child, according to police.

4. Driver Taken to Hospital After Car Crash in Quiogue

The driver of a car that crashed into the woods on Montauk Highway in Quiogue was taken to the hospital via the Westhampton War Memorial Ambulance Corps on Jan. 12. The driver, who was alone in the car, was helped from the vehicle with the assistance of ambulance volunteers, the fire department reported.

5. Armed Break-In Leads to Fatal Shooting in Flanders

A 21-year old Flanders man has died after he was shot in the chest on Jan. 27. The man, Demitri Hampton, was reportedly shot in the chest by two armed men who entered his home at 200 Priscilla Ave., according to Suffolk County police, who were alerted after they received a 911 call at about 3:15 a.m.

6. Cops: Speonk Stabbing Leads to Prostitution Arrest

A man with stab wounds and a broken arm who showed up on the doorstep of the Westhampton Beach Police Department earlier in January ledSouthampton Town police to discover a prostitution operation, disguised as a perfume party in Speonk.

7. Civic Eyes Forming Village of Hampton Bays

A group of residents in Hamptons Bays are resuscitating the long talked about idea of incorporating as a village to gain some independence from Southampton Town and have more of a say over their own neighborhoods. A meeting was held to discuss the idea on Jan. 28. Read about it here. 

8. DWI Charge Follows Friday Night Crash on Montauk Highway

A Westhampton Beach woman was arrested and charged with DWI on Jan. 18 after police said she was driving drunk when she was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Montauk Highway that shut the road down for about an hour.

9. Truck Overturns on Old Country Road; Traffic Slows

Southampton Town police report that a dump truck carrying mulch overturned at the corner of Montauk Highway and Old Country Road on Jan. 8. No injuries were reported.

10. Cops: Teen Hid Drugs in Teddy Bear

Westhampton Beach Village police arrested a Westhampton Beach 16-year-old after she admitted to hiding prescription drugs in a teddy bear. Police say the teen quickly admitted to having the pills and offered up the teddy bear. Inside, police said there was a plastic bag filled with over 100 pills, some prescription such as Oxicodone and non-prescription pills, including Acetaminophen.

For more headlines, click here.

Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone every day with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.