Fifth Squad Detectives report the details of an incident that occurred on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 11:37 pm in Garden City South.
According to detectives, an intoxicated male ordered a car service and provided the driver with a similar address of his residence. After being dropped off at the wrong address, the male subject entered the rear fenced yard of a Garden City South residence. Defendant Thomas Morganthaler, 34, of Yale Road, heard the subject in his yard and confronted him with a handgun. Defendant Morganthaler discharged two rounds into the ground. Upon police arrival, officers found both men on their knees with their hands in the air.
A loaded handgun was recovered on the ground in the vicinity of Morganthaler. Morganthaler legally possessed the handgun but it was confiscated by officers after the incident.
A thorough investigation was conducted and both defendant Morganthaler and defendant Christian Coronel, 32, of Yale Street, Hempstead, was arrested.
Defendant Morganthaler is charged with Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree. He will be arraigned on Monday, March 9, 2026 at First District Court, Hempstead. Defendant Coronel is charged with Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree. He was issued an appearance Ticket returnable to First District Court on March 26, 2026.