In 2 separate cases, cops hurt in scuffles with suspects

Suspects scuffled with police trying to make arrests in two separate confrontations early Sunday, sending five officers to the hospital, Nassau County police said.

In Hempstead, police said, Nestor Artega, of Burr Avenue, struggled with Third Squad detectives trying to arrest him at his home yesterday at 12:14 a.m. in connection with a May 30 domestic assault.

During the fracas, one of the detectives suffered a back injury, another suffered injuries to his leg and face, and a Hempstead police sergeant hurt his hand. The trio was taken to a hospital, where they were still being treated Sunday morning, said police spokesman Officer Michael Toich. Artega wasn't hurt, Toich said.

Artega, 26, is also accused of kicking out the window of a Hempstead police car after he'd been detained, causing $300 in damage, police said.

Artega was to be arraigned Sunday at First District Court in Hempstead on charges including second-degree and third-degree assault, third-degree criminal mischief, fourth-degree dangerous weapon possession and resisting arrest, police said.

About 30 minutes after Artega's arrest, a near riot erupted in New Cassel when police tried to arrest a man they spotted smoking marijuana on the street outside "a large, loud house party" at 157 Kinkel St., police said. Two men, Carlhens Souffrant, 27, of the Kinkel Street address, and Evens Pierre, 29, of 262 Covert St., interfered with the arrest and began to incite the crowd, police said.

When police tried to arrest the two men, a struggle ensued; a police sergeant suffered a sprained shoulder and another officer received a leg laceration, police said. Both were treated and released.

Souffrant and Pierre are charged with second-degree assault, first-degree riot, resisting arrest and second-degree obstructing governmental administration. They were to be arraigned Sunday.

Amid the chaos, a police spokeswoman said, the marijuana smoker managed to flee and avoid capture.