Pair attack couple in car in Middle Island

A man and woman from New Jersey face charges of attacking a couple they were sitting in a car with in Middle Island on Monday, Suffolk County police said.

Joseph Rovinsky, 24, of Port Monmouth, N.J., and Shante Tyler, 21, of Eatontown, N.J., knew the couple, police said.

The man was stabbed during the attack, while the woman was punched in the head. The victims were taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center -- the woman with minor injuries, the man with serious injuries, according to police. The woman was treated and released, police said.

Police said the 10:15 a.m. attack in the parking lot of the King Kullen shopping center on Middle Country Road followed a dispute between the couples.

Police did not disclose the circumstances leading to the altercation, but said the man was stabbed in the neck, while the woman was punched in the head.

It was not immediately clear what roles Rovinsky and Tyler played in the alleged assault.

Police said that after the attack, Rovinsky and Tyler fled into a wooded area, but were arrested after being tracked by Canine Unit police officer Mark Sacco and his dog, Max.

Rovinsky and Tyler were each charged with one count of first-degree assault and one count of second-degree assault, police said. Both are scheduled for arraignment Tuesday in First District Court in Central Islip.