A Riverhead man is facing assault and criminal mischief charges after an incident at a Main Street grocery last night, according to Riverhead Town Police.
Police said they responded to a call for an assault in progress at Village Grocery, 733 East Main Street, at about 7:40 p.m.
Officers found a man with a cut to his hand, police said in a press release. Detectives determined that two men inside the store were in a verbal dispute that turned physical, according to the report. The suspect left the scene prior to police arrival but returned to the store a short time later, police said. He was then located after a search of the area by patrol units, according to police.
Police said Duntrell Thomas, 27, was taken into custody and taken to Riverhead Police headquarters for processing. There, Thomas became combative during processing and punched a wall, causing damage, police said.
Thomas was charged with Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony and Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, a class A Misdemeanor, according to the report.
Police said Thomas was also wanted by Suffolk County Police on an active warrant. Suffolk County District Court records show Thomas is currently facing multiple criminal charges, dating back to last November, including drug possession, auto theft, resisting arrest and property damage.
Thomas was held at police headquarters pending morning arraignment in Riverhead Justice Court, police said.
Anyone with any information in this case is asked to call the Riverhead Police Department at 631-727-4500. All calls will be kept confidential, police said.
Editor’s note: A criminal charge is an accusation. A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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