O’sider arrested on assault and drug charges

Nassau County police arrested an Oceanside man on drug and weapons charges after he allegedly tried to assault two officers on Austin Boulevard near the intersection of California Place North in Island Park on Friday night.

According to police, two officers stopped a 2011 Nissan Altima at 9:47 p.m. An investigation at the scene found a bag of marijuana belonging to the passenger in the front seat, identified as Charles Rodriguez, 33, of Oceanside.

A subsequent search outside the vehicle found Rodriguez also in possession of a gravity knife. As they tried to arrest him, police say, Rodriguez resisted, then attempted to grab a gun from one of the officer’s holsters and a baton from the other officer.

More officers responded to the scene and Rodriguez was placed under arrest.

A further search of the car revealed three bags of heroin, a hypodermic needle and another drug identified as a hallucinogen. The Nissan’s driver, Adriana Cacioppo, 21, of Hewlett, and two other passengers, Francesca Delfino, 19, of Oceanside, and Victoria Daniels, 22, of Woodmere, were all arrested.

The two officers were treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and released.

Police say Rodriguez faces a variety of charges, including third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-, fifth- and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, four counts of second-degree assault, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of second-degree attempted robbery and resisting arrest.

Cacioppo, Daniels and Delfino are charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

All four were arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Sunday. Rodriguez is being held without bail.