1993: On June 28, 1993, at approximately 3:15 a.m., Troopers Deborah Spaargaren and Sean Ruane attempted to stop a 1984 tan Mazda B2000 pickup with a black cap on the Southern State Parkway for operating without a rear license plate affixed. The vehicle fled and attempted to evade the pursuing troopers.
The operator of the Mazda increased his speed, exiting the parkway at Wantagh Avenue, northbound, at approximately 65 mph. The Troopers notified SP Farmingdale Communications that they were in pursuit of this vehicle and requested assistance. The pursuit continued onto State Route 107 to Glen Cove Road and Roslyn Road with numerous secondary roadways being traversed during the pursuit. The Mazda reached speeds of up to 90 mph during the pursuit with several Nassau County and Garden City Police Department units joining in the pursuit. The Mazda attempted to make a left turn onto Old Country Road eastbound from Roslyn Road; the operator lost control, and crashed into and severed a light pole on the south side of the roadway. The Mazda came to rest on the sidewalk bordering Old Country Road approximately 70 to 75 feet west of Washington Avenue. The pursuit itself lasted approximately 20 to 25 minutes. The operator, identified as Joel David Rifkin, DOB 01/20/59, of 1492 Garden Street, East Meadow, NY, was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody. Troopers began an inventory search to impound the Mazda and discovered the deceased body of a prostitute identified as Tiffany Bresciani hidden in the rear. Rifkin was charged with Murder 2nd and Reckless Endangerment 1st in Nassau County.
During the subsequent investigation, Rifkin admitted to 16 additional murders of female prostitutes from the New York City and Long Island areas. An exhaustive investigation by the “Rifkin Task Force” led to the location and identification of the remains of 15 of Rifkin’s victims. Criminal charges were either lodged or contemplated in a total of 10 jurisdictions.
Rifkin was convicted after trial in Nassau County on May 9, 1994 for the murder of Tiffany Bresciani. He subsequently plead guilty to two counts of Murder 2nd in Suffolk County and one count of Murder 2nd in Queens County.