(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Philomena Mistretta, 51, of Coram, was indicted for Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, and other related charges, for allegedly intentionally striking a 63-year-old woman with a minivan following a verbal and physical altercation with the victim at a public parking lot in Bellport.
“Using a vehicle as a weapon demonstrates a shocking disregard for human life. Fortunately, the victim in this particular case survived, but the alleged actions here serve as a stark reminder that rage behind a wheel can be just as dangerous as rage behind a loaded gun,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Today’s indictment reflects the seriousness of these allegations.”
According to the investigation, on October 26, 2024, shortly after 3:30 a.m., Mistretta was sitting in the driver’s seat of a 2004 White Toyota Sienna when she allegedly was involved in a verbal dispute with the victim who was standing next to the passenger side of the vehicle. The argument, at the parking lot of Miracle Plaza off Montauk Highway in Bellport, escalated after Mistretta got out of her vehicle then got into a physical altercation with the victim. Mistretta then allegedly returned into her vehicle, backed up, angled her car towards the victim, and then drove over her, dragging the victim for a short distance. The victim was transported to Long Island Community Hospital with lacerations to her skull. Suffolk County Police officers arrested Mistretta at the scene.
On November 7, 2024, Mistretta was arraigned before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz for the following charges contained in the indictment:
• One count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony;
• One count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree, a Class C violent felony; and
• One count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony.
Justice Horowitz ordered Mistretta held on $100,000 cash, $200,000 or $750,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Mistretta is due back in court on December 10, 2024, and faces 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count. She is being represented by Chase Brown, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Patrick J. Mullen and Scott Romano of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective John McGay of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fifth Squad.
