John Murphy, 41, of Manorville, a detective with the Village of Rockville Centre Police Department, was charged with aggravated harassment and criminal mischief as a hate crime in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, June 3, following a disturbing incident in his neighborhood in November 2024.
On November 3, 2024, the cellphone worker and Murphy got into an altercation while examining cell towers at Sylvan Court and Weeks Avenue as part of a routine network inspection, according to the Daily Voice.
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A neighbor informed Murphy, who then confronted the man in his truck and cursed at him, according to prosecutors. When the employee tried to present their ID, Murphy allegedly reached through the open window, opened the vehicle door, and snatched the man’s laptop. The worker was successful in retrieving it.
Murphy slammed the door and informed the employee he wasn’t wanted in the area, screaming, “Get out of here, we don’t want you or your like in the neighborhood,” and using a racial slur at the employee, according to prosecutors.
He then ripped the amber light from the top of the automobile and threw it at the vehicle before kicking the driver’s door, causing damage, according to prosecutors. He allegedly threw the light again as the victim drove away and contacted 911.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney stated that the victim was doing his work when the defendant allegedly attacked him and wrecked his vehicle. “Even more troubling is that the defendant is a sworn police officer.”
Murphy was arrested by the Suffolk County Police Department’s Hate Crimes Unit a week after the alleged assault. On Tuesday, he was charged with two counts of felony criminal mischief, a hate crime, and aggravated harassment, a misdemeanor.
He was released on his own recognizance because the charges are not bailable under New York law. If convicted of the top offense, he may face 2⅓ to 7 years in prison.
