carolyn gusoff, cbs 2 news. >> suffolk county republican chairman endorsed trump last week. at 5 p.m. >>> miss are looking for a person connected -- police are looking for a person connected to more than a dozen burglaries in squeeze. to a victim and has more on the suspect and who he may be targeting. >> they broke the lock and window. >> reporter: this woman is shaken after her home on 80th street in glen oaks queen was blaze add. she described what happened. >> everybody was upside-down, everything top to bottom. >> reporter: the entire family went out in celebration of her upcoming wedding and returned to a once locked door open. >> there was a lot of julie and things we had for the -- jewelry and things we had for the bride and groom sides. >> reporter: something similar happened in january. john called the police when his neighbor's home was ransacked while they were on vacation. >> they took out the air- conditioner and stole everything. >> reporter: police connected 16 burglaries all following the same pattern all in the 105th precinct since january surveillance phot

cbs2's carolyn gusoff live in roosevelt with that story new at noon. carolyn. >> reporter: good afternoon, it was a terrifying ordeal for a man driving home from work en route to freeport. he drove through this intersection, and he says he was approached by two masked men armed with knives as he sat right there at that red light. it happened at 10 p.m. at the intersection of nassau road and clinton avenue. a victim in a 2005 nissan ultimate says two men reached into his open car window, demanded money, then slashed him under his chin and armament the panicked victim got out of the car. the carjackers jumped in. they stole the car. they got away with his phone and wallet, too. a nearby deli for help. police found the car ditched doors way down the block from front of a vacant home. police are snow looking for those two armed men. neighbors say the violent carjacking is a new low for a community that has had its problems with crime. >> this is the first i ever heard of anyone going to a car at a light and hijacking their car. this is serious. this is seri

cbs 2's carolyn gusoff reports from jericho. >> reporter: one driver dead, the long island expressway jammed for six hours. this was the scene in jericho by exit 41 thursday morning. and police say it started which a dangerous decision. >> he made that choice to exit his vehicle and it was a very, very tragic chain of events. >> reporter: a chain of events that began when the victim driving eastbound hit the center median, then got out of his car to shore up a broken bumper. police say his stopped car was then struck by a passing suv. >> it is believed that the individual of vehicle 1 was struck by vehicle 2. and both the vehicle and the occupant, um, were pushed into the roadway. >> reporter: nassau police say the 34-year-old driver of that second vehicle was drunk. then a third vehicle struck the man dragging him nearly a half mile. the fight tal crash a sad remind -- the fatal crash a sad reminder that getting out is never safe. too often minor fender-benders take a tragic turn. >> get off the highway, pull over to the shoulder, even better look for the next exit and get off there.

cbs 2's carolyn gusoff reports. >> reporter: in this apartment in 2008 a beating of a 6-year- old at the hands of his mother's boyfriend. convicted of whipping the first grader with this weightlifting belt. the helpless child' screams caught on audiotape recorded in an open phone line by the boy's biological father. that recording just ruled admissible by new york's highest court. >> it was a good ruling for people who care about the rights of children. >> reporter: nassau d.a. madeline explains that now parents who reasonably believe it's in their child's best interests may record a conversation secretly. that's an exception to new york law that requires consent of at least one person in a recorded conversation. >> it's tremendously important for parents to know that they can protect their children. it's very limited in its scope. >> the opportunity to abuse this decision is very, very real. >> reporter: the attorney who defended the defendant says the ruling sets a dangerous precedent predicting more children will be used as pawns and bugging will become the norm in ugly divorces.

in jericho, long island, carolyn gusoff, cbs 2 news. >>> up next, remembering a music icon. prince's impact on music goes far beyond singing. a look back at his talents and could go down in history. >> also ahead, from behind the camera to center stage, an intern for stephen colbert gets his moment in the spotlight. >> and today in history, in 1964 president lyndon john opened the new york world's fair. 51million people came to flushing to see exhibits like it's a small world and high- tech innovations like picture [ laughter ] >>> many the shocking death of prince is still sinking in for many. >> he was one of the most prolific musicians of our time. anthony mason takes a look at one performance in particular that stands out above the rest. [ music ] >> reporter: with the sound that danceed between rock, soul and funk, he had become one of the '80s' most influence absolutely artists. with his grinch like grin he seduced his audience and an audacious performer he flaunted his androgeny. daring anyone to define him. >> reporter: musicianship was astounding. a self taught virt

cbs 2's carolyn gusoff has the story. busy deli and this was the chaotic scene at midday. a car careened through the window and came to rest inside sending glass and food flying. the owner of mam deli was one of those inside. >> we just heard a boom. i don't know what happened. i went to the front and see there was a car. >> reporter: the female driver trapped inside her mangled car had to be pulled from the wreckage and appeared to be alert without life threatening injuries, but ken butler, a customer, recalls the fear. >> i tried to run from it, and debris and bricks and grass were flying everywhere. >> reporter: witnesses say this school bus parked on babylon turnpike may have obstructed the view of this driver and he veered out of control into the store. neighbors say that this stretch of babylon in freeport has been a problem for years. one car ended up in that yard. workers say they are thankful because moments later, the deli would have been packed with customers. carolyn gusoff, cbs 2news. >> and the car narrowly missed hitting a pedestrian walk manage front of the

carolyn gusoff is there live with the very latest. carolyn? >> reporter: mary and dick, one man is dead, another man charged with dwi. police say that it all started with the risky decision by a driver. a driver on the led dead. hit by two vehicles. it began at 2:00 a.m. with the victim still unidentified. then got out of the car to sure up the broken bumper. that they were struck by vehicle 2. both the vehicle and the occupant were pushed into the roadway. >> reporter: and then a third vehicle would strike the man dragging him nearly a mile. >> he made that choice to exit his vehicle and it was a very tragic chain of events. >> reporter: they closed the express way for six hours and a sad reminder says aaa that getting out of your car on the highway is never a good idea. too often fender benders turn fatal. >> they could have easily driven to the next exit to inspect the damage the highways, no place to be in the middle of trying to check out the vehicle. >> police advise to get that car off the road. and if that is not possible, turn on the

cbs 2's carolyn gusoff live with the story new at 5:30 tonight. carolyn. >> reporter: that's right. garage door owners are really a staple now of suburban life but careful where you leave them. twice in the last week, happauge residents left these garage door owners in unlocked cars and that let thieves into their homes while they slept. the car unlocked in the driveway with the garage remote inside. house while they slept because the door to the home was unlocked inside the garage. >> we don't lock it. you know, you get complacent. because you're relaxed. you know, you don't think anything is going to happen. and now you learn the hard way. >> reporter: it was 3:30 thursday morning, the would-be thief scared away without taking anything because marie woke up. down the block surveillance video recorded this hooded man first going driveway to driveway looking for open car doors. suffolk police say he struck earlier in the week here on janet court. a family of four asleep upstairs, the thief got away with cash, again the garage door remote like this one lifted from an unlocked car and

carolyn gusoff, cbs 2 news. >> carolyn, thank you. >>> the deaths of two new jersey high school students have prompted a crackdown on traffic violators in hudson county. operation slow down, save lives began today and will continue through the summer. driversand pedestrians are stopped and tickets in direct response to public outcry after a 17-year-old and 16-year-old, noel herrera and brian rodriguez, were struck and killed crossing jfk boulevard last month in bergen. >> if you are jaywalking, you fail to yield to a pedestrian you will get a summon, and it's all about safety. >> hudson county sheriffs departments are also taking part in the crackdown. >>> the clock is ticking. tomorrow morning nearly 40,000 verizon workers plan to strike. negotiations broke down after nearly 10 months of talk. the workers claim that verizon is skimping on health benefits, trying to send more jobs overseas and requiring tech mission toes -- technicians to work away from home for more than 2 months. verizon customer that we spoke with is not happy. >> having them being on strike is a big inconvenience for

cbs 2's carolyn gusoff has the video. >> this one right here, all of a sudden i hear a loud bang. >> reporter: what they heard at 1 a.m. was a car crashing into this front yard caught on surveillance video in north babylon. headlights coming toward the fence then the car crashes through and flips over but what came next was a bigger surprise. >> i was going to get somebody going to have to, you know, save someone's life and i saw that there was no one in the car and i was just like what?! >> reporter: neighbors got their answers from a surveillance system. cameras captured the driver of the flipped car taking off fleeing the scene! leaving behind thousands of dollars in damage to a fence and yard. >> he came around that corner too fast. you could see the tire tracks three houses away in their driveway and he went to this house flipped three types an ended up on my front lawn. >> reporter: the driver fled. cops ran the plates and found it was stolen. they also found cell phones. >> they have to catch them. >> reporter: it's not the first time a vehicle has veered out of control on thi

carolyn gusoff is live in patchogue long island where donald trump will first be attending a fundraiser at a location that's drawing controversy. carolyn. maurice. donald trump just arrived. but his supporters and his hours. emporium, that's the venue behind me. and the way police have it set a block away and then down the block opposite the venue are trump detractors. immigrants. they are separated by the police to keep the peace. but it's not just donald trump suburban voters. john kasich also on long island today and then tonight all of the gop hopefuls descend on new york city. suffolk gop supporters lined up for a $150 per head fundraiser eager to have their moment in the national spotlight, a primary when new yorkers truly have a say. >> to experience an american election being actually front row and part of it. >> reporter: all of the republican white house hopes of were invited here but after a local endorsement, only donald trump accepted. >> i don't like some of the things he says sometimes. but i still believe we need a businessman. go in there and straighten out the books. >

cbs 2's carolyn gusoff reports on the story that's new at 5:30. >> reporter: you can order it or vap shots and by it. they have heard of "kratom"? >> never heard of it. >> reporter: they may ban t legislator steve stern says sick. >> psychosis, respiratory >> reporter: because it's legal people may assume it's safe. he says not so. >> not just the problems as a result of its highly addictive nature. but it is considered a gateway drug. >> i have been taking this plant every day for about two years now. >> reporter: susan ash travels the country lobbying against banning "kratom." she claims it helps wiener had off opium after lyme disease and never had ill effected. the natural plant used for centuries in thailand to kill pain and treat depression, but because it can produce a mood boost she says it's misunderstood. >> it tastes so bad that it's recreational drug. we don't even like to call it a drug. it's a mild plant that is a powerful medicinal. >> reporter: the fda has issued alerts warning against using it. this drug abuse expert says no public health entity has signed off on "kr

he showed carolyn gusoff exclusively how he spent his weekend. >> i cut the cable wires making it useless. >> reporter: so you turned the camera off? >> i've made it dysfunctional, just like the program. i don't know how many but somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 to 30. >> no confirmation from suffolk police on whether ruth was arrested tonight. transgender bathroom policy has passed in a new jersey school district, the board heard from parents and students tonight, cbs2's valerie castro is live in hillsdale where their meeting just wrapped up. valerie? >> reporter: maurice, the school board voted in the last 30 minutes to pass the new policy. there were lots of speakers on both sides. it was a very contentious debate and it also included transgender students. the new and improved policy will accommodate transgender students at pasqual hills and pasqual valley regional high to use the restrooms that a transgender student identifies with. restrooms and changing areas already provide for individual privacy and the students will have to show that this is indeed their core identity. some pa

carolyn gusoff has more. carolyn? >> reporter: alice, he said he was trying to do things legally, lobbying the legislature but it hasn't worked, so he knowingly broke the law. suffolk police said she is looking at jail time. stephen ruth, smiling broadly, said he got what he wanted. he cut the wires running dozens of red light cameras. you realize what you are doing a crime? i call it saving lives. >> reporter: last year, the self-proclaimed red light robin hood was charged with a victim for pointing lights s away from traffic, and in january, he cut down a camera pole. crews are splicing back together the cut wires on at least 18 cameras across suffolk county. >> in suffolk county, you have the right to respect yourself and the police department will respect that but we will not tolerate the violation of law and not tolerate the destruction of property. >> reporter: controversial cameras and $80 pines $80 -- fines are at the heat of the debate. >> this is clearly someone committing crimes to justify something. that d

cbs 2's carolyn gusoff live in lakeview with the very latest. >> reporter: kristine, the sorb state parkway behind me finally reopened after eastbound lanes were closed today for 4 hours. all due to the crash of an ambulance into that overpass and we still don't know why control. a frightening spectacle on the southern state washing way. the occupants of an ambulance in dire need after it veered out of control and slammed at eagle avenue. it happened at noon at exit 18 in lakeview. the ambulance cab mangled. its patient compartment perched on an embankment. emergency medical technician in the back. but the ambulance driver and a male patient were pronounced dead at the scene. the emt was rush to the hospital with a broken leg and concussion while police worked for hours to recreate the accident. it appears the ambulance lost control and hit a light pole before hitting the bridge. the vehicle part of hunter ambulance fleet a private medical transport. it had to be hoisted high above the bridge to clear the scene. police won't say where it was heading but it was not traveling with lights and

carolyn gusoff, cbs 2 news. >> police have not said if ruth was arrested. one legislator is appalled by his actions and want him arrested. >>> after a 90-day review, mayor de blasio unveiled a new plan to deal the homelessness. the department of homeless services will improve the shelter services and facilities, and there will be a new accountability council and a renewed prevention and outreach for those living on the streets. >> it will be a very long battle, very tough battle, and we believe the new initiatives time it is our responsibility to own the situation. i want to be very clear. the buck stops here on this issue. >> reporter: 15,000 housing units will be created over the next 15 years. >>> time now is 18 minutes after the hour. still ahead, a battle on long island to save a cow. >>> how a photographer is taking flowery portraits of dogs to help find them homes. another check on weather and next here on cbs 2. >>> there's a battle on long island, and animal lovers have started a campaign to save minnie the cow from slaughter. bob benner and his wi

carolyn gusoff, cbs 2 news. >> fedex would not say whether the employee in the video was fired or quit. >>> breaking news in baltimore. a man wearing a panda costume and a surgical mask was shot by police after he reportedly threatened to blow up a television station. the fox building was evacuated after the suspect entered the lobby and claimed he had a bomb. when the suspect left the building, police say he was refused to comply with police orders and advanced toward officers. the suspect remains on the groundout side the tv station. authorities say that the suspect appeared to have wired on him and some type of explosive device. >>> more breaking news now. a woman is pistol-whipped this afternoon in east new york, brooklyn. >> now police are trying to find the men responsible. cbs 2's alice gainer is live in east new york with the developments. >> reporter: montauk avenue here is taped off and police are positioned outside of this woman's apartment. afternoon. police say a 43-year-old woman identified by her cousin as sam was taking out the trash her and took off. police believe the

in east north point long island, carolyn gusoff cbs2 news. >> fedex would not say if the employee in the video quit or was fired. >>> up next, how coffee and wine could be good for your gut and what foods you might want to avoid. >> and buying a dress for prom isn't cheap but there is a cost free alternative. >> here's otis livingston with a quick check on sports. >> the giants elected cornerback eli apple with the tenth pick in the first round of last night's nfl draft. his ohio state teammate, linebacker darron lee was selected by the jets. coming up tonight the yankees giants. [incoming message beep] the average text takes your eyes off the road for nearly five seconds. [screaming] stop the texts. stop the wrecks. >>> on health watch, what you eat can influence the beneficial bacteria in your gut. diversity of bacteria is desirable. foods containing sugar and other simple carbohydrates reduced that diversity, but coffee and wine along with fruits, vegetables, yogurt and buttermilk can increase the diversity. >> buttermilk, pancakes there we go. >>> time for traffic and weather on

in mineola, long island, carolyn gusoff, cbs 2 news. >>> the man at the center of the nassau county case was as in prison for assaulting the child. >>> a newtown middle school teacher is facing charges this morning for bringing a gun to school. 46-year-old jason adams is charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds. it is the same connecticut town that was the site of one of the deadliest school shootings in u.s. history. he's been placed on administrative leave penning the investigation. police say adams is a registered gun owner. >>> a mount vernon man goes on trial in westchester county today for a fifth time. sewan days is charged in the 1996 murder of 79-year-old archie harris of east chester and his home health aide. two days of trials ended in hung juries, two convictions were overturned. >>> it's now 6:19. up next what charlize theron said about beauty and hollywood that sent twitter into an uproar. >>> and turkey troubles in bergen county could soon be solved. how the town officials are problem. t mt ard twk.nogesur-st00eginrn tanphe this is everything i have, my family