Police are tracking down a suspect wanted for killing a nun in a hit-and-run crash on the East End this week.
After more than a week of public pleas for the suspect involved in the hit-and-run death of a beloved Syosset nun in Water Mill to turn himself in, authorities have decided to release the man’s photo and identity, hoping it will lead to his arrest.
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Southampton Police Friday said they believe 30-year-old Carlos Armando Ixpec-Chitay is the man involved in the hit-and-run accident that killed Sister Jacqueline Walsh of Syosset Monday July 9 at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Rose Hill Road in Water Mill.
CARLOS ARMANDO IXPEC-CHITAY (Photo credit: Southampton Town Police)
Walsh was on a retreat with her colleagues from Sisters of Mercy, a Roman Catholic order, which devotes itself to serving women and children.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, dark brown/black hair, brown eyes, 5 feet 7 inches tall, approximately 140 pounds. He is known to frequent areas in Water Mill and Riverhead, police said.
Southampton Town Police Chief William Wilson told the Press last week that the department was considering releasing the suspect’s information if he refused to turn himself in or wasn’t taken into custody.
Wilson hoped the suspect would turn himself in so police could bring closure to Walsh’s family and her congregation. She served at St. Edward Confessor Church in Syosset.
A multi-agency hunt has been underway since the incident occurred.
Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, New York State police, U.S. Marshals Service and the Suffolk County Crime laboratory have devoted resources to help track the man down, police said.
“No good is going to come of the individual fleeing or evading law enforcement,” Wilson told the Press last week.
A 911 caller reported finding Walsh bleeding and unresponsive on the ground on the side of Rose Hill Road, police said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Nobody witnessed the hit-and-run, officials said. An unoccupied 2009 Volkswagen Touareg with front-end damage was found about a half a mile from the scene, police said.
Walsh was laid to rest last week.
Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to call Southampton Town Police Detectives at 631-702-2230 or e-mail Detectives at crimetips@southamptontownny.gov. All calls will be kept confidential.
