Crime

Police: N. Bellmore man attacks Uber driver

Driver recovering; suspect facing charges

Posted

A North Bellmore man is facing multiple charges after he kicked and punched his Uber driver’s car, then knocked the driver unconscious, according to Nassau County Police.

At 1:15 on Feb, 19, Phillip Gannotta, 23, of Davenport Place, called an Uber car from Massapequa Park to a North Bellmore address, along with two friends. An argument ensued between Gannotta and the 23-year-old driver, after which Gannotta got out of the car and began hitting and kicking the car, breaking a window, police said.

Gannotta then hit the driver several times in the face with a flashlight and kicked him in the face, causing facial fractures and knocking him out of the face. The driver was taken to an area hospital where he was listed as in stable condition as of Sunday night, police said.

Gannotta surrendered to police on Sunday afternoon at the Seventh Precinct. He is charged with two counts of second-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree criminal mischief, and was scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 20 at Hempstead First District Court.