Police: Lynbrook man arrested for assaulting PSEG employee in East Rockaway
Authorities say the 61-year-old employee was working on Atlantic Avenue when 33-year-old John Spears confronted him.
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A Lynbrook man accused of attacking a PSEG employee Saturday in East Rockaway is facing numerous charges, according to police.
Police say John Spears is charged with assault after repeatedly punching a PSEG environmental engineer.
Authorities say the 61-year-old employee was working on Atlantic Avenue, assisting in the clean up of last week's oil spill on the South Shore when 33-year-old Spears confronted him around 11 a.m.
The two got into an argument, and prosecutors say Spears began punching the PSEG employee, breaking his glasses.
The victim called 911 immediately.
Police arrested Spears, who was taken to the hospital for evaluation.
In court Sunday morning, Spears denied provoking the fight. His lawyer said the PSEG worker fought back, bruising Spears' eye.
According to prosecutors, Spears continued acting violently even after his arrest. They say when he got to the hospital, he threw a metal tray and kicked a wall, causing $1,000 in damages.
In a statement, the electric company says: "PSEG Long Island was alarmed to learn that our employee was assaulted yesterday morning while he was working to clean-up the site on Atlantic Ave., in East Rockaway. The safety of our employees and customers is our number one priority."
The clean-up of the oil spill continued on Sunday, which PSEG says was caused by a transmission cable leaking hundreds of gallons of an oily fluid into a South Shore canal.
A Nassau judge set bail for Spears at $ 10,000 cash, $5,000 bond.
Spears is due back in court on Tuesday.
