Crime & Safety
Nassau Hookah Bar Worker Punched, Robbed By Hat Thief: Cops
Police say a hookah bar manager was punched and robbed while following a man who stole his hat.
WESTBURY, NY — A Lawrence man has been arrested after police said he stole a worker's hat at a Westbury hookah bar, then punched the worker and robbed him when the victim followed him out to the street and tried to get his hat back.
Early Sunday, Luis Lopez caused a disturbance at Mystique Hookah Lounge on Old Country Road, near Sylvester Street, police said. A 27-year-old manager told police Lopez stole his hat and fled onto Old Country Road. When the worker followed him and tried to get his hat back, Lopez punched him in the face, stole his iPhone that had fallen out of his pocket, and continued to flee, police said.
Police were called around 4:40 a.m. Sunday. Officers found Lopez and arrested him without further incident.
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He faces charges including 2nd-degree robbery and 4th degree grand larceny. Lopez was expected to appear Monday in First District Court in Hempstead.
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