Cops: Teen hits police officer, flees

An East Williston teenager walking down the middle of the street and acting belligerently was arrested Sunday after he struck a police officer in the face and fled, Nassau police said.

Brian Engbarth, 17, was charged with assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conducted after police said they found him walking down the middle of Meritoria Drive in East Williston early Sunday acting belligerently and making obscene gestures.

Police said Engbarth became more agitated, hit an officer on the side of his face and fled on foot.

Police caught up to him down the street and said Engbarth flailed his arms and kicked at officers as they handcuffed him.

An ambulance was called to the scene to transport Engbarth, who authorities suspected might be intoxicated, police said, but it was not known Sunday whether he was taken to a hospital.

Engbarth was arraigned Sunday in First District Court in Hempstead.

The officer who was struck was treated and released from a hospital for an injured jaw and contusion on his face, police said.