Riverhead deli patron hurt in knife attack, police say

A 31-year-old man was transported to a hospital after police said his hand was sliced by a knife-wielding man outside a deli on East Main Street in Riverhead early Monday.

The attack occurred in the doorway of Royal Dorado Deli & Restaurant at 2:20 a.m., Riverhead Town police said.

Both the suspect and victim were patrons of the establishment, police said.

The cause of the confrontation was unknown.

Police said the victim was transported by Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance to the Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead for what was termed “a non-life-threatening injury to his hand.”

Police said the suspect, identified only as “another male patron” of Royal Dorado, fled the scene.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the knife attack to call detectives at 631-727-4500, ext. 321.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

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.”