Crime

Merrick man allegedly punches, runs over men with car

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A Merrick man was arrested for allegedly punching a man and running over another with his car in Farmingdale on Feb. 18.

According to Nassau County police, Jonathan Bencosme, 28, was engaged in a verbal confrontation with a group of men in a parking lot at 3:15 a.m. Bencosme punched a 34-year-old man in the face during the confrontation, then, got into a nearby car while others helped the man he had just punched, police said.

Then, Bencosme drove toward the 34-year-old man on the ground and a small crowd, running over a 27-year-old man and throwing him several feet, according to police. The man who was punched was also ran over by the front and rear passenger tires, police said.

The unconscious man suffered a cranial hemorrhage, skull fracture and two broken arms, requiring surgery; he was taken to a local hospital. The 27-year-old who was struck by the car suffered pain to his shoulders, hips and knees.

Bencosme fled the scene, but later surrendered to police, on Feb. 20. He was charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and first-degree reckless endangerment, and was arraigned on Feb. 21 in Hempstead First District Court.