Man is attacked and robbed in Merrick

Just hours after the ball dropped in Times Square, two 21-year-old men left the Sugar Club, a Carle Place nightclub, into the cool New Year’s Day early morning air. They climbed into a gold-colored 2000 GM SUV, mistaking it for a “legitimate taxi service,” according to the Nassau County Police Department.

Minutes later, one of them lay in the road, beaten and robbed, police said.

The two friends told police that the SUV’s driver was a large black man wearing jeans and a black vest, according to a NCPD news release. Officer Kenneth Parker, a NCPD spokesman, said the driver was in his late 30s. After luring the pair into the vehicle and beginning to drive them home, the driver stopped near Meadowbrook and Michael William roads in Merrick and demanded money, the release said.

When his demand was refused, the driver got out of the SUV, pulled out one of the two, punched him in the face and threw him to the ground, police reported. The driver then reached into the man’s pants pocket and took his money.

Officials did not disclose the amount. The driver then got back in the vehicle and drove north on Meadowbrook Road, according to police.

The victim’s friend had exited the SUV, though the NCPD release did not detail his actions during the altercation. Parker said the police report indicated that after the mugging both friends awaited the authorities’ arrival.

Police requested that anyone with information about this crime call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.