Robbery victim confronts suspects, gets sprayed with chemical, cops say

A man who had been robbed, along with another customer, inside a Uniondale McDonald's late Sunday was hit in the face with a chemical spray after police said he chased the suspects and confronted them -- demanding the return of a laptop computer they'd stolen.

The suspects, identified by Nassau County police as a man and two women, fled the scene on foot. Police said the victim, 58, whose identity was not released, was taken to a hospital for treatment of swelling to his face and eyes.

Police said the incident occurred at 11:24 p.m. inside the McDonald's at 1110 Hempstead Tpke. First, police said, the trio caused a disturbance inside the store, and as the two women exited the man stole the laptop computer from the first victim, who police said had been sleeping. Then, police said, the male suspect stole a cellphone from a second sleeping customer.

The first victim then followed the suspects to Manor Parkway and McKenna Avenue, where he demanded the return of his laptop -- at which time he was sprayed in the face with "a chemical agent."

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to call Nassau Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-8477. All calls will be kept confidential.

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.”