Cops: Offer of ride is met with mugging

A 35-year-old man was mugged Friday outside a bar by a robber who punched him, threw him to the ground and stole his cellphone before fleeing the scene in Farmingdale, Nassau County police said.

The robbery occurred on Main Street at 12:48 a.m.

Police said the victim, whose identity was not released, was approached by a man wearing dark-colored clothing outside the Nutty Irishman, a pub on Main Street. The man asked for $40, police said. Police said the victim refused to give the man money, but offered him a ride home. The suspect agreed.

En route to the car, however, police said the suspect "began punching" the victim, then threw him to the ground -- and rifled his pockets, taking the phone. The robber then ran.

Police said it was not clear if either man -- or both -- had been a patron at the bar.

Police ask anyone with information about the robbery to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.