Landlord punches, uses bungee cord on tenant, police say

A female tenant in Wantagh late Friday night was grabbed from behind by her landlady, who then wrapped a bungee cord around her neck and punched her repeatedly in the head and face before the attacker took off on foot, Nassau police said.

The tenant suffered "substantial pain and bleeding," police said, and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

However, that didn't end the dispute: A short time later, officers again were called to the same Hunt Road address for "a landlord/tenant disturbance," police said in a news release. The landlady, Natalie Lapelosa, 43, had returned and was threatening the victim, according to police.

Initially, Lapelosa refused to leave the home; Bureau of Special Operations officers and the 2nd Squad later arrested her without incident, police said.

Lapelosa's attorney, Scott Gross of Garden City, said an eviction proceeding had begun, "but there was no physical altercation."

Lapelosa is charged with misdemeanors: assault and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation.

Gross said Lapelosa pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Saturday in First District Court, Hempstead. "She maintains her innocence," he said.

Bail was set at $1,500 bond or $750 cash and a temporary order of protection was issued, according to online court records. 

Lapelosa is due back in court Tuesday, when, Gross said, "we look forward to fighting these charges."