Man charged in Patchogue beating and robbery, say police

Suffolk police have charged a man in connection with a beating and robbery that took place in Patchogue early Thursday morning.

A Patchogue man, 38, was walking near the Patchogue Long Island Rail Road train station on Division Street at about 5:45 a.m. when he was attacked by two men who punched him several times and stole his wallet, police said.

An unidentified woman who was passing by saw the attack and yelled at the suspects to stop the beating. The assailants then ran off. The woman aided the victim, who suffered minor injuries, and helped him get home. About an hour later, police said, the victim spotted one of his attackers, as he was walking on South Street in Patchogue, and called police.

Fifth Precinct Patrol Officer Dennis Stewart arrested Antonio Lattan on South Street and West Avenue in Patchogue. The second man has not been located.

Fifth Squad detectives charged Lattan, 23, of Mastic, with second-degree robbery. He was being held overnight at the Fifth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Friday.

Detectives ask any witnesses, and the woman who aided the victim, to contact the Fifth Squad at 631-854-8552 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS.