Security guards at New Cassel eatery charged in attack on patrons

Two security guards at a restaurant in New Cassel struck a patron with a baton, then maced and shot another patron who tried to assist the first victim, police said.

Both guards face assault and weapons charges in the early Sunday attack, police said in a Monday news release.

One victim suffered a cut to his head, Nassau County police said. The other victim was shot in the leg, police said. Neither injury was considered life threatening.

The incident occurred around 4 a.m. at the Romelia Sabor Latino Sea Food Restaurant on Union Avenue.

Police said the security guards, Joffre Viteri, 44, of First Street in Westbury, and Robert Giscombe, 52, of Ramble Lane in Westbury, were escorting patrons out of the restaurant after closing the bar area.

An argument ensued, police said, and escalated into a fight.

Police said Viteri struck a 28-year-old man with a baton, causing a cut to his head that later required "several staples" to close at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow. When a second man, whose age was given as 36, tried to intervene, police said, Viteri maced him - and then Giscombe, who saw the fight, drew a weapon and shot him.

The man was struck in the upper leg, police said.

He also was admitted to Nassau University Medical Center, though his condition was not immediately known Monday.

Police arrested Viteri and charged him with second-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Giscombe was charged with first-degree assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, first-degree criminal use of a firearm and unlawful wearing of a body vest.

Both are scheduled for arraignment Monday in First District Court in Hempstead.