Suspect sought in assault on elderly man

Suffolk County police have released a photograph of a suspect in an alleged assault of an elderly man at a Middle Island department store in February, the department's Hate Crimes Unit said.

The man and his wife were entering a Walmart on Middle Country Road on Feb. 18 when another man, who was driving a late-model, silver Chevrolet Silverado, pulled up close to them and yelled profanities from his truck window, police said.

Later, the same man went inside the store and ran toward the older man with a shopping cart, police said, ramming him in the side and grabbing him before leaving the store, police said.

Police said the incident is being investigated as a hate crime because the assault was against an elderly man.

Police also released a photo of the truck the suspect was driving.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477. All calls will be kept confidential.