Preschool Employee Confronts Man Trying to Kick In Church Door During Class

A preschool employee stepped outside and confronted a man mid-kick at the front door of the Presbyterian Church of the Moriches on Main Street in Center Moriches last Tuesday, sending him fleeing on foot while 19 children inside finished their St. Patrick's Day festivities without ever knowing the threat was there.

Daniel Fanuele, 30, of Riverhead, was attempting to force entry into the church at approximately 12:50 p.m. on March 17 when the Gentle Hearts Preschool employee blocked him. Fanuele ran. The preschool owner later told Patch: "I was so angry that he even dared to threaten my little ones' safety!" Adding to the confrontation's resolve, the owner said simply, "I did what anyone would do."

As a precaution, 19 students and two staff members sheltered in place until Suffolk County Police officers arrived. No one was injured.

Suffolk County Seventh Squad detectives tracked Fanuele to the intersection of Coventry Avenue and Mastic Road in Mastic, where he was taken into custody at 2:41 p.m., less than two hours after the attempted break-in. Upon his arrest, Fanuele allegedly told police he was "looking for food" when he targeted the building, according to 1010 WINS. The church operates a food pantry where volunteers distribute food on Monday nights, though the incident occurred on a Tuesday afternoon.

Fanuele was charged with Attempted Burglary in the Third Degree and Criminal Mischief. He was held overnight at the Sixth Precinct and was scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on March 18.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Seventh Squad detectives at 631-852-8752.