Cops: Two sought in Bethpage, Levittown assaults
Detectives are searching for two men who attacked victims Wednesday in Bethpage and Levittown, approaching one for a cellphone and the other for cash — then punching them when they didn't get what they wanted, police said.
Nassau County police said the two assaults occurred about 40 minutes apart.
In the first incident, which took place in the parking lot of a TD Bank branch on Stewart Avenue in Bethpage at about 9:30 a.m., police said the two suspects approached a 28-year-old man, and requested to use his cellphone or phone charger. When the man refused, police said one suspect "struck him in the left eye" and attempted to pull the victim from his car. Police said the victim was able to remain in the car, but still was struck "multiple times."
The suspects then fled and the victim was taken to a hospital for treatment, police said.
The second incident occurred at about 10:10 a.m., about 1.2 miles away outside the Best Buy store on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown, police said.
In that incident, police said two suspects, matching the description of the pair in the first incident, approached a 67-year-old man and asked him for money. Police said he complied.
Then, police said, the pair demanded more cash. When the man was unable to hand over more money, police said he was "punched in the face causing a laceration to his cheek" and then was thrown to the ground.
The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment, police said.
The suspects fled, police said.
Police are now asking for the public's assistance in locating the pair of suspects, each believed to be about 20 years old.
Both wore dark-colored hooded sweatshirts. One wore dark pants and black and red shoes or sneakers while carrying a black and white backpack. The other wore light-colored bluejeans and dark sneakers, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
