Police: Merrick man assaulted in Times Square

Police arrested a tourist from Utah after he allegedly pummeled a 53-year old Merrick man in Times Square on Monday morning.

According to a NYPD spokesperson, Dane Westmoreland, 31, of Salt Lake City, assaulted an unidentified Merrick man at roughly 7:00 a.m. at 1501 Broadway, striking him from behind and kicking him in the face.

When Westmoreland was confronted by New York City police officers he refused handcuffs and struggled to break free when officers grabbed him, police said.

It is unclear what happened before the attack or what may have caused it.

Westmoreland’s sister Rachel told the New York Post that she believes he was mistaken for someone else and “racially profiled” because of his size and tattoos. She added that he could not have been the attacker because he was wearing skinny jeans that would have prevented him from kicking the Merrick man in the face, the New York Post reported.

Westmoreland was arrested at 7:30 a.m. and charged with assault and resisting arrest.

The Merrick man was taken to Mt. Sinai St. Luke’s Hospital and treated for facial bruising and swelling.