Baldwin man punched officer, police say

A Baldwin man punched a police officer in the face Saturday after the officer caught him peering into a home in the suspect's neighborhood, Nassau police said.

The confrontation, just after midnight Saturday, escalated after police asked Eseoghene Omene, 33, to pull his right hand out of his pocket; Omene "became belligerent towards officers," police said.

He allegedly punched an officer in the face near the home he was peering into, at Bertha and Middle Bay drives.

"A struggle ensued and Omene was eventually placed into custody," police said. Omene allegedly had a screwdriver in his pocket.

The officer, from the Baldwin-based First Precinct, was treated at a hospital and released; a police spokesman said Omene wasn't hurt.

Omene, of 3588 Bertha Dr., was charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. Judge Erica L. Prager of First District Court ordered Omene jailed on $10,000 bond or $5,000 cash, according to court records. He hadn't posted the bail as of early Saturday evening.