Police arrest N. Merrick custodian for heroin sale

Updated: 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Police have arrested a North Merrick School District custodian, Joseph Latona, 27, and charged him with sale and possession of heroin.

Latona, who allegedly sold drugs around the corner from a pre-school, has worked in the North Merrick district for nine years, including at Camp Avenue and Old Mill Road elementary schools, police said. He was arrested with more than 60 bags of heroin.

Police said Nassau County detectives witnessed Latona selling drugs from his pickup truck on Laurel Court in North Merrick at 4:55 p.m. on Tuesday to fellow North Merrick resident Scott Bono, also 27. When officers approached, Latona sped off.

Bono was arrested on the spot, while police followed Latona as he fled. According to police, the chase was called off because of Latona's reckless driving, and because his identity was already known to authorities. Latona later surrendered to police at his Little Whaleneck Road home.

Nassau County Det. Lt. Kevin Kevin Smith said there is no indication that Latona had drugs on school property at any time, though he said, "A person of that character shouldn't be anywhere near school-aged children."

North Merrick School District Superintendent David Feller said, "The employee has been immediately suspended and directed not to appear on or around school property. The district will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement officials."

Authorities would not reveal any details of the investigation that led to the arrests, but combating heroin use is now a top priority for police and the county executive, they said.

Latona was to be arraigned Wednesday in First District Court in Hempstead.

Detectives ask that anyone with information about drug activity involving Latona contact Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS.