Police: On-duty public safety officer molested at least 2 women

<p>A public safety officer in Suffolk County is accused of forcibly touching at least two women while on duty.</p>

News 12 Staff

May 17, 2018, 9:37 AM

Updated 2,183 days ago

Share:

A public safety officer in Suffolk County is accused of forcibly touching at least two women while on duty.
Dennis Fajardo, 28, was arraigned on sexual misconduct and forcible touching charges in Central Islip Thursday.
Police say Fajardo used his uniform and position as a public safety officer in Patchogue Village to prey on at least two women leaving bars after 4 a.m. on Main Street.
“In one instance, he offered…to find their vehicle. In the next instance, he offered to drive them home,” said Suffolk Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart.
In both cases, police say the women got into the patrol car and were groped or molested by Fajardo.  One incident allegedly happened to a 35-year-old woman on April 16, the other to a 24-year-old woman on May 13.
Fajardo started on the job last July and works at night. Police say there could be more victims out there. Patchogue Village Mayor Paul Pontieri says Fajardo has been suspended and could soon be fired.
Fajardo has no prior criminal record, is married and lives in Brentwood.
In court, Fajardo's court-appointed lawyer said neither woman identified Fajardo by name as their attacker. Afterward, the attorney refused to speak to the media.
Fajardo was allowed to leave court without bail.
Suffolk police are asking anyone with information about the case or other potential victims to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.


More from News 12
2:43
Pro-Palestinian rally set for today at Stony Brook train station; parking lot closed

Pro-Palestinian rally set for today at Stony Brook train station; parking lot closed

3:11
Sunny breaks this afternoon for Long Island with temperatures near 80

Sunny breaks this afternoon for Long Island with temperatures near 80

0:15
20-year-old man accused of breaking into home in Riverhead

20-year-old man accused of breaking into home in Riverhead

0:26
Riverhead police rescue 5 from boat in Peconic Bay; drone used to track boat

Riverhead police rescue 5 from boat in Peconic Bay; drone used to track boat

1:38
Flip Circus comes to Smith Haven Mall, Walt Whitman Shops

Flip Circus comes to Smith Haven Mall, Walt Whitman Shops

1:43
Garden Guide: These plants repel weeds and are a natural fertilizer!

Garden Guide: These plants repel weeds and are a natural fertilizer!

1:27
What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's quiche lorraine

What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's quiche lorraine

2:33
Family raises money to reunite Farmingdale HS sweethearts killed in Washington accident

Family raises money to reunite Farmingdale HS sweethearts killed in Washington accident

2:09
Exclusive look at field and stadium built for Cricket World Cup at Eisenhower Park

Exclusive look at field and stadium built for Cricket World Cup at Eisenhower Park

0:19
Police: Man shot during argument in Mt. Sinai

Police: Man shot during argument in Mt. Sinai

0:43
Huntington woman honored with citation for devotion to town ahead of 100th birthday

Huntington woman honored with citation for devotion to town ahead of 100th birthday

0:26
Lindenhurst man sentenced to up to 40 years behind bars for burning women with clothing iron

Lindenhurst man sentenced to up to 40 years behind bars for burning women with clothing iron

1:47
Man accused of killing NYPD detective from Massapequa Park indicted on murder charges

Man accused of killing NYPD detective from Massapequa Park indicted on murder charges

1:39
Bee on the lookout: Bees are all the buzz at Shoreham-Wading River HS

Bee on the lookout: Bees are all the buzz at Shoreham-Wading River HS

0:44
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine addresses public safety, inflation in State of the County

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine addresses public safety, inflation in State of the County

2:27
Huntington Town Board hosts second public hearing on walkable downtown in Melville

Huntington Town Board hosts second public hearing on walkable downtown in Melville

1:38
Sand delivered to Tobay Beach as crews work on opening access to the beach

Sand delivered to Tobay Beach as crews work on opening access to the beach

1:54
Nassau police arrest accused jewelry thief wanted across the world

Nassau police arrest accused jewelry thief wanted across the world

Long Island National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

Long Island National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

2:23
Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Massapequa Park

Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Massapequa Park