Cops investigate latest Patchogue attack as hate crime

Suffolk police are investigating the assault and robbery of a 22-year-old Ecuadorean man as a potential hate crime, reigniting safety fears among the Latino community in Patchogue.

The attack comes more than nine months after the fatal stabbing of Marcelo Lucero, an Ecuadorean immigrant whose death authorities have labeled a hate crime. Seven teenagers were charged in the Lucero attack.

"It's a shame," Joselo Lucero, 35, Marcelo's brother, said of the recent attack. "So many people feel unsafe right now. You don't have the freedom really to go out any time you like."

Police Commissioner Richard Dormer said Monday police have "leads" in their investigation. He said Friday's attack differs from Lucero's because it was a "chance encounter" rather than a group on the "prowl" for Latino victims.

"This is a terrible event," said Dormer. "Also this is a reminder that we must continue our outreach to the community. The fact that this victim did reach out to us and did cooperate with the police immediately shows that our bridge-building has borne fruit."

The victim, whom police are not identifying, told police he was walking on Division Avenue near West Avenue on Friday at 11:30 p.m. when three young white men in a parking lot called out to him.

One of the men allegedly struck the victim in the face, knocking him to the ground, according to police, and cash and personal items were stolen. Disparaging remarks about the man's ancestry were made, police said, declining to specify exactly what was said.

Dormer said the man was released after being treated for minor injuries at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue.

Ecuadoreans in Patchogue Monday said the attack reflects the tensions between the communities that persist, despite outreach efforts. "I walk calmly in the streets and I have no problems in my neighborhood, but there is some tension, some anger," said Mario Lopez, 33. "It's obvious that some people don't like us."

Others said they've noticed increased anger against Latinos because of the ailing economy and fewer available jobs. "There's no doubt that as jobs have gone away, people have been getting angrier at us," said Berta Zumba, 36. "We're all just working, trying to provide for our families. We shouldn't be attacked."

Following Lucero's attack, community members came together to form Fundación Lucero de América, a nonprofit that provides services to Latinos, in addition to doing outreach to the greater community. This summer the foundation had a booth at the village's "Alive After Five" summer festival.

"If this is true, it's really a shame because we have been working to build bridges here, to make sure we are one community," Lucero said. "This is the kind of thing we're trying to prevent."

Police ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS or 631-852-6323.