Nassau Burger Chain Vandalized; Arrest Made, Police Say

WANTAGH, NY — A Farmingdale man has been arrested in connection with separate acts of vandalism at a Wantagh burger chain and a courthouse building in Hempstead.

A police officer on routine patrol found graffiti at a burger restaurant near Wantagh and Flower avenues. Investigators determined the vandalism was a targeted act and had happened between 7 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday. They determined Rorenise Toafili, 26, had vandalized the building, and was also responsible for graffiti found at a Nassau County District Court building, police said.

As detectives processed the arrest, Toafili shoved an officer and tried to escape before being apprehended. An officer was taken to a hospital to be treated for a finger injury.

Toafili faces charges including 2nd-degree assault, 2nd-degree attempted escape, four counts of making graffiti, 3rd-degree criminal tampering, 3rd-degree criminal mischief, three counts of 4th-degree criminal mischief and resisting arrest.

He was expected to appear in a Mineola courtroom Monday.