Police: Hempstead man who attacked driver had guns in car

A Hempstead man seen punching a 78-year-old man in a dispute over a parking space was arrested after police found a handgun, a shotgun and two loaded high-capacity magazines in the attacker’s car, officials said.

Nassau County police said they determined that the two men had a dispute over a parking spot at a Dunkin’ Donuts on Front Street in Hempstead about 1 p.m. Wednesday.

One motorist, 78 years old, attempted to drive away and the other driver, Edward Doe Jr., followed him and blocked his car nearby, police said.

Officers on patrol saw Doe’s 2018 Nissan Maxima blocking a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe, and as they got closer, “they witnessed a male striking the driver of the Tahoe multiple times with a closed fist,” Nassau County police said in a news release.

Doe had also taken the keys from the Tahoe, police said.

The victim had lacerations to his head but declined medical treatment, police said.

Police said that in addition to the weapons, they recovered a quantity of marijuana from Doe’s Maxima.

Doe was arraigned Thursday in First District Court in Hempstead on charges of criminal possession of a weapon, robbery and criminal possession of marijuana, according to online court records. He was held on $100,000 bond or $50,000 cash, records show. His next court date is Monday.