Sheriff: Parking Lot Altercation in Southeast Leads Arrest

A 24-year-old Wingdale man accused of attacking a couple in Southeast is facing misdemeanor assault charges, police say.

The incident occurred at about 2:15 a.m. Friday in the Towne Center Shopping Center, located on Route 22 near the Route 312 intersection. Deputies Vincent Dalo and his canine partner responded, as did Deputies Timothy Keith and Edward Kennedy.

"According to the deputies, a couple had just left a pub and was walking in the parking lot when they were accosted by a man," officials said in a statement. "The man allegedly initiated an unprovoked physical altercation with the pair, punching them, causing head and wrist injuries to the woman and head, face and back injuries to her acquaintance."

Brewster Fire Department ambulance transported the pair to the Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel. They were treated and released.

The suspect reportedly fled before officials arrived. He was stopped by a sheriff's patrol at the intersection of Routes 22 and 311 in Patterson.

The case was referred to Investigators Thomas Corless and John Matrician. Their investigation led to the arrest of Daniel M. Arena. He is facing two counts of misdemeanor third-degree assault.

Arena was released without bail. He's due in Southeast Justice Court Aug. 20.

Editor's note: The Putnam County Sheriff's Office provided this information. 

This post was originally published at about 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, July 10.