Crime & Safety

Officer Injured in Assault at NUMC

A second precinct officer suffered a head injury and blurry vision when James Nicoletto's restraints were removed.

Just hours after being arrested in Oyster Bay, an East Norwich man is under arrest again, this time for assaulting a police officer at Nassau University Medical Center on Monday.

According to police, James Nicoletto, 40, assaulted a Second Precinct police officer after his restrains were removed for treatment by request of hospital staff. Nicoletto kicked and punched the officer, which resulted in a head injury and blurry vision. The officer has since been treated and released.

"Due to an ongoing police investigation, we are not authorized to release any information at this time," said Shelley Lotenberg, director of Public Relations at Nassau University Medical Center.

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Earlier on Monday, police responded to an Oyster Bay call, in which Nicoletto was annoying Dunkin Donuts patrons. When the officer approached Nicoletto near his 2002 Honda, he grabbed a folding knife and made a threatening motion toward the officer, police officials said.

Nicoletto asked the officer if he "wanted to fight," the police report said.

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After the officer made repeated requests for Nicoletto for put the weapon down, the suspect took out a metal baseball bat and charged the officer, damaging his police car, police said. After threatening to kill the officer, police assistance arrived and Nicoletto surrendered. He remains in the hospital for further evaluation.

Nicoletto was arrested and charged with menacing a police officer, second degree attempted assault, third degree criminal mischief and two counts of fourth degree possession of a weapon. Due to the assault at the hospital, a new count of second degree assault has been added to the charges. Nicoletto will be arraigned when deemed practical, according to police.


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