Man slashed in Merrick church attack

A Merrick church employee was slashed on the hand during an attempted robbery Wednesday morning, Nassau police said.

Someone entered St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church on Hewlett Avenue at about 8:45 a.m., flashed what appeared to be a kitchen knife and demanded money from a 62-year-old employee, police said.

The victim suffered a minor slash wound to his hand, police said, and the robber fled empty-handed.

The victim's name was not released by police, but authorities said he was not a member of the church's clergy. He refused medical attention, police said.

The crime was reported to police about 10:40 a.m., authorities said, but a woman who answered the phone at the church told Newsday that she was unaware of any incident and declined to comment.

Seventh Squad detectives who were investigating the crime requested that anyone with information contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS.