A North Massapequa man who was secretly taking photos of an 8-year-old girl at a Seaford ice cream shop was arrested after an off-duty cop saw what was going on, police said.
Richard Stacel was allegedly taking the photos with a cell phone while on line at the Mad Topper Ice Cream store at 1220 Hicksville Road shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday. Cops said Stacel was taking the photos "in a manner that was innappropriate."
The officer, who was standing within five feet of the suspect and the young girl, saw what was happening and waited until Stacel was outside to confront him so other customers wouldn't be endangered.
The officer identified himself while the store owner called 911.
Stacel struggled with the officer and broke the phone and its memory card, police said. The suspect went to his car, but the off-duty officer stood between the driver side door to prevent Stacel from shutting it and leaving.
Stacel then allegedly reached towards the center console of the car, where a stun gun was later found. Police arrived and placed him under arrest.
Nassau County Police Deputy Inspector Kenneth Lack said that police will try to recover the photos, but wasn't sure if it would be possible. Lack also said that Stacel had been arrested for a child endangerment issue in Nassau County before.
Stacel was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and weapons possession.
One arrest does not "enslave our children", nor does it put the country's polictical, moral and social direction at risk.. Get a sense of perpective.
wow. so... simple. All somone needs to do is find a quote from to a lawyer who protects cops from frivoulous 'wrongful arrest' cases (nevermind the illigal weapon, mind you), or prevention of child abuse, and we are good?
"He or she knowingly acts in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a child less than seventeen years old or directs or authorizes such child to engage in an occupation involving a substantial risk of danger to his or her life or health;" The cop alleged he broke the phone. What the cop is NOT saying is that it broke because the cop would not let go of the phone, and in the struggle it broke. Witnesses are saying that he broke the phone, but none were even close enough to see well, at least 70 feet away, plus being at night with two people turning around during the brief struggle. The phone is fragile and broke when Mr. Stacel attempted to get his phone back from someone he probably thought was a mugger as the "officer" produced no ID. Just saying you're a cop is NOT good enough. Without producing ID, that person is impersonating an officer. Even IF someone is taking pics that you don't want, It's LEGAL. A cop has no right to take your phone. ALL they can do is ask you to delete those pics, which is NOT what happened. The phone was taking from Mr. Stacel who then fought to get HIS property back that was UNlawfully taken from him. This cop does NOT know the law and acted out of emotion and anger, two qualities that a cop can NOT allow to control him. Get your facts straight first!
"...but did he a commit a crime? I think not. The Penal Law defines Endangering the Welfare of a Minor as follows: He or she knowingly acts in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a child less than seventeen years old or directs or authorizes such child to engage in an occupation involving a substantial risk of danger to his or her life or health;" So taking photos of an 8 year old girl who is not your daughter is certainly likely to be injurious to yourself, but how is it injurious to the girl? - I care about the law and here law enforcement is stretching what could be innocent conduct into a crime"
It's also come to light that the store owner pushed him by the throat into the car, yet this "COP" did NOTHING to protect the citizen who's duty his to protect or STOP the store owner! That alone shows the TYPE of "Cop" this person is...rather is NOT! No one was trying to flee, but rather trying to get protection from TWO people that were coming after him. Did you hear THAT in the news..?? NO! And why not, because the news and media COULD CARE LESS about being accurate or right, ONLY about what sells newspapers or gets ratings. There is a book known as "Toxic Sludge is Good For You: Lies, Damn Lies and the Public Relations Industry" The COPS are the ones that notified the media in revenge because it was one of their "boys" that was involved in the incident. They didn't care if it was true or not, as usual, they just seek revenge and retribution instantly.
If you knew the reason why this "Abnormal" person had a stun gun in the first place you would hopefully wake up from your slumber. It has to do with the failure of the police to act in previous incidents years ago, thus protecting his daughter from harm. Again, JUDGE NOT at least until you have ALL the facts in, which in this case the media spun virtually EVERY one of their to their own advantage as have the police.
WOW, THIS IS A TOTAL FABRICATION AND LIE, EITHER BY THE OFF DUTY COP, THE MEDIA OR BOTH!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!
You obviously don't understand how the country was framed and formed and that it was done based on the idea of LIMITED government, with decentralization of power. This was accomplished via the 10 amendment known as states rights, where whatever power is NOT EXPLICITLY given to the central government, which is VERY LITTLE overall, it reserved to the states (the MAIN power) or to the people (who give ALL Powers to both the state and central, now Federal government). Decentralization and the focus on LOCAL governments was the KEY to preventing the central government from gaining TOO much power, as the founding fathers KNEW that it always does sooner or later.. just as it's happening right now! This started with the corporatization of the United States INC and really ramped up with the establishment of the "Federal Reserve" and the printing of fake money backed by nothing but oil and faith, instead of gold and silver as the Constitution allows. THIS is why the feds have taken over. You also obviously don't know much about communism because you have lived in a communist country your entire life. Don't think so. here are just a few, see how many fit with what you just said and more.
education system (your government does this poorly) - Item 10 Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children's factory labour in its present form and combination of education with industrial production. law (your local govenment does this) and a framework of civil order (your govenment does this). - Communism does this via the centralisation of all manufacturing, communications, infrastructure, law and everything else. The destruction of the dominance of LOCAL governments to PREVENT dictators and tyrants from ever seizing power is the real reason the founding fathers were SO afraid of a strong central government and sought to limit it in every way possible. As Thomas Jefferson said "The great thing about the second amendment is that it's not really needed until they try and take it away" By abolishing the distinction between town and country
Why are you telling me to get my facts straight. I have been saying the same thing consistently since this started. Perhaps you are thinking of the other Michael.
I agree with you. I have been defending Mr. Stacel from the getgo because it did not make sense and was very suspicious from the beginning. The cop never showed him his badge and that would be considered impersonating an officer. I hope he gets fired, and Mr.Stacel sues the cop, NC, and the Media for publishing his address which is also illegal. The media is so bent on getting ratings that what is legal and true does not matter anymore.
We do need to maintain a level of civility but you do seem as if you're assigning wrong doing to the officer which isn't fair either. We don't know the details behind his actions yet. There's nothing wrong with questioning but we shouldn't assume he acted unfairly until we have more details. As an off duty police officer if he will be held to an unfair standard. If he steps in people scream abuse of power. If something happened and he doesn't step in people will scream that he didn't help. It isn't always easy for them either.
Here is what someone on a law firm posting said: “Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the guy had ill intentions,” You are assume way too much. What has not come out is that he was texting his own daughter and waiting for a reply, that is why his phone was even out. Cell phone records will prove this to be true. The media has so much wrong about this story it’s not even funny!
If it hadn't escalated, we would all have been non the wiser to Rich's prior, and the sensationalist descriptions would have led some of us - me included - to different initial reactions.
In the last 3 responses to me you have called me Cuckoo, that I cannot read and the that implied that Mr. Stacel was guilty and that he had to explain himself to you. You are an asshole so go shove it up your ass.
In the last 3 responses to me you have called me Cuckoo, that I cannot read and you implied that Mr. Stacel was guilty and that he had to explain himself to you. Good thing you do not live close by because I would wipe the floor with you obnoxious arrogant ass. You are an asshole so go shove it up your ass.