Mineola Residents Arrested for Massapequa Hammer Assault

Nassau County Police have arrested two Mineola men for an alleged assault that occurred in Massapequa on Friday, Dec. 20 at 11:32 p.m.

According to detectives, Nicolas Russi, 19, and Santiago Orrego, 18, were driving and exited a 1999 Audi at a traffic light located at Louden Street and Sunrise Highway so they could confront two male victims who were 28 and 20 years of age and driving a 2005 Cadillac.

All individuals had allegedly exited their vehicles due to an earlier verbal dispute while driving. Police say that Orrego hit the 28-year old victim in the right side of his head with a hammer he was carrying, causing a large laceration. Orrego then hit the 20-year old victim twice in the back of his head also causing a large laceration after he attempted to tackle the defendant.

Both Russi and Orrego then fled the scene in their car. The two victims were transported in a Nassau County Ambulance and treated for their injuries at a local nearby hospital. A short time later both Russi and Orrego surrendered themselves to officers at the Third Precinct. Officers from the Seventh Squad responded and placed both defendants into custody without incident.

Russi and Orrego are both charged with two counts of second-degree assault. They were arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Saturday, December 21.

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