A 24-year-old man was in McDonald's on Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont at approximately 3:55 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, when he was confronted by a group of people shouting inappropriate comments regarding his sexual orientation.
Detectives from the Nassau County Police Department said that the man asked them to stop, at which point a 16-year-old started to argue with the victim and began spitting on him.
Police said that both parties were separated by employees, at which point the teenager approached his victim again and began punching, kicking and making more comments about his sexual orientation toward him.
The teenager fled on foot, but was ultimately tracked down by officers from the fifth precinct and was placed under arrest without further incident. The 16-year-old was arrested and charged with third-degree assault as a hate crime. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, May 29 in Family Court in Westbury.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information has been asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.
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