Police: Man pulled mini cleaver on Freeport supermarket security guard during robbery attempt

A Hempstead man, who attacked a store security guard attempting to keep him from stealing items at a supermarket in Freeport, was arrested and charged with robbery Tuesday, Nassau County police said.

The incident occurred at the Compare Foods supermarket on Merrick Road at 9:21 p.m.

Police said Michael Everett, 55, of 139 Terrace Ave., was charged with first-degree robbery after he attempted to strike the security guard with a mini meat cleaver he had hidden in the waistband of his pants, police said. He faces arraignment in First District Court in Hempstead on Wednesday.

Police said store security at the market saw Everett "removing food items and attempting to exit the store without paying for them" and that a security guard attempted to stop Everett -- only to be attacked.

A struggle ensued, police said, before Everett was subdued and detained for arrest.

Police said no injuries were reported.

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.”