Police: Man stole tip jar, hit owners of Mastic Beach restaurant

A Bellport man faces robbery charges in the theft of a tip jar from a Mastic Beach restaurant and the striking of two of its owners on Monday, Suffolk County police said.

Darryl Hatcher, 49, was arrested after he lifted the tip jar at the New Rooster Kitchen, 389 Neighborhood Rd., at about 7:16 p.m., police said.

After reaching over the counter and taking the jar, two of the owners -- a woman and her son -- confronted Hatcher and he struck them, police said.

Hatcher also confronted a third owner as he left, and that owner, a man, called 911, police said.

No one was injured, but the mother and son were taken to a hospital to be examined, police said.

Hatcher, of Hoffman Avenue, was arrested a short time later. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday at First District Court in Central Islip.