Riverhead Resident Arrested After Attempted Burglary at Center Moriches Church Forces Preschoolers to Shelter in Place

Suffolk County police arrest a Riverhead man after he allegedly tried to kick in the door of a Center Moriches church while 19 preschoolers were inside.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 5:44 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from News 12 Long Island

Emergency Lockdown Triggered by Attempted Forced Entry

A frightening security breach at the Presbyterian Church of the Moriches led to an immediate shelter in place order for nearly twenty preschool students on Tuesday afternoon. Authorities report that a man approached the Main Street religious institution shortly after noon and began a violent attempt to kick down an entry door. The building, which serves as the home for Gentle Hearts Preschool, was occupied by 19 young children and two faculty members at the time of the attempted intrusion. While the physical barrier of the door held, the intensity of the confrontation necessitated a rapid tactical response from school staff to ensure the safety of the minors inside.

Suspect Confronted by School Personnel Before Fleeing

The attempted burglary was interrupted when an alert employee of the preschool confronted the individual, identified by investigators as Daniel Fanuele. Faced with direct human contact, the suspect abandoned his efforts to breach the building and fled the church grounds on foot. According to Suffolk County police, the staff member's quick thinking provided the critical window needed to secure the facility and prevent any direct contact between the intruder and the students. Although the experience was distressing for the occupants, law enforcement officials confirmed that no injuries were sustained during the brief but volatile encounter.

Coordinated Police Search and Successful Apprehension

Following the 911 call from the church, Suffolk County officers launched a localized search for the suspect based on descriptions provided by the preschool staff. The manhunt concluded approximately three hours later when police spotted Fanuele nearly four miles away in the vicinity of Mastic. He was intercepted at the intersection of Coventry Avenue and Mastic Road without further incident. The arrest ends a tense afternoon for the Center Moriches community, as investigators worked to determine if the suspect had any prior connection to the church or the educational facility housed within its walls.