Brookhaven man accused of yelling anti-Hispanic slurs

A man from Brookhaven hamlet was arrested Saturday after he yelled slurs and anti-Hispanic statements at two men outside a Patchogue restaurant, Suffolk police said.

Nicholas Kohler, 21, of 1 Blair Ln., was arraigned Saturday afternoon on two counts of second-degree aggravated harassment. Bail was set at $500 cash or $1,500 bond. He is due back in courtFriday.

Suffolk police said they are investigating the incident as a hate crime.

Kohler was walking along Route 112 in Patchogue when he confronted a group of Hispanic men outside the Latino Mix Bar & Grill at 3:09 a.m. Saturday, police said.

Court documents say Kohler punched one, Elias Rodas, and used a profanity. "Go back to your own country," Kohler allegedly said.

He also punched and kicked Jose Fuentes, and said, "I don't like Spanish people," according to the court documents.

Police said Kohler took offense at something that was said during the confrontation and began fighting with the men.

When Kohler was arrested, he accused police of targeting white people, according to prosecutors in court Saturday.

Judge Gigi Spellman said Kohler had five pending misdemeanor charges - including criminal contempt, trespassing and aggravated DWI. "He's no stranger to the criminal justice system," Spellman said.