Mineola Man Arrested for Assaulting Girlfriend

A Mineola man was arrested Saturday night near the Third Precinct station house after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend during an argument.

According to Nassau County detectives, around 6:45 p.m., James Coraci, 24, of Mineola, was involved in a verbal argument with his girlfriend, 18, while walking on Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road. As he screamed at her, he shoved her to the ground, slapped her and pulled her hair.

Coraci then allegedly broke a branch off of a tree and hit the victim on the face and head several times, police said.

According to police, the victim walked toward the Third Precinct station house with Coraci following her, still screaming at her and violently pulling her hair.  When the victim entered the Third Precinct hysterically crying, Coraci was still behind her yelling.

Police officers ordered Coraci to stay where he was, however, Coraci fled the precinct with several police officers chasing him, police said. The officers were able to apprehend Coraci, who violently resisted arrest, outside of the precinct.

The victim, who sustained a bloody lip in addition to scratches and contusions about the face and head, refused medical aid at the scene.

Coraci is being charged with assault in the second degree, possession of a dangerous weapon in the fourth degree and resisting arrest. He was arraigned on Sunday at First District Court in Hempstead.