Plainview Man Charged in Two Assaults

A Plainview man stands accused of two separate assault charges, including the brutal attack of a 16-year-old from Bethpage in April, Nassau County Police said.

Lawrence Balter, 18, of South Oaks Blvd., was arrested at his home this weekend and charged with two attacks that occurred one day apart early last month.

Detectives said Balter was driving with "two or three" others on Broadway in Bethpage on April 6 when they approached a 16-year-old boy who was walking home about 10:15 p.m.

Balter and the as-yet unidentified occupants jumped out of the car and slammed the victim to the ground. Balter is accused of punching the victim in the face, then fleeing the scene with his cohorts, police said.

Meanwhile, the victim went home and called police. During the investigation, Nassau police determined Balter was also involved in as assault that occurred one day earlier, on April 5 in Glen Cove.

Balter was arraigned in Glen Cove on those charges this weekend, including third-degree assault and obstruction of breathing, police said.