Man Assaults Hospital Employees, Steals Construction Truck: PD

A man receiving treatment at a Nassau County hospital assaulted two employees and went on to steal a truck from a construction site and crash it on Wednesday afternoon, police say.

According to authorities, 22-year-old Amityville resident Lonnie Pernell was receiving medical attention at Saint Joseph Hospital, located at 4295 Hempstead Turnpike in Bethpage,when he pushed a 50-year-old employee to the ground, who suffered injuries to her face and hand, at 1:10 p.m.

Pernell then tackled a 36-year-old employee after the man came to the aid of the woman, police say. He suffered a broken hand and injuries to his back, ribs and left knee.

Pernell left the hospital and entered a nearby construction site, where he stole a vehicle that was left idling, police say. He then struck another truck on the property, police say.

Authorities responded to the scene and attempted to remove Pernell from the vehicle, who struggled and kicked an officer and a police AMT, police say. The AMT suffered injuries to her right knee.

Pernell was subdued and placed under arrest. He was charged with four counts of second-degree assault, second-degree grand larceny, third-degree criminal mischief and resisting arrest. He will be arraigned when medically practical.

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