William Mohan, 53, of Lindenhurst was arrested around 12:15 a.m., Friday, July 5, at the store at 760 Old Country Road in Westbury, said the Nassau County Police.
According to detectives, while inside the store, Mohan allegedly took merchandise and concealed it in his clothing.
The victim, an employee of the store, witnessed the theft and approached Mohan and asked him to give the merchandise back, police said.
Instead of turning over the items, Mohan reportedly began striking the victim in the head with his fist multiple times and threw the victim into a display rack, causing the victim to sustain substantial pain, swelling, and a laceration to his face, police said.
The victim was able to escape when customers entered the store. Mohan then fled the store on foot and was followed by the customers, who caught and held him until police arrived.
The merchandise was recovered from the front lawn of a nearby home, police said.
Mohan was charged with robbery and criminal mischief.
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