By Hector Flores
Authorities linked three of the suspects to a gang known as the Bellmore Punx and Skinz, which allegedly defaced five local schools, including Calhoun and Mepham high schools, with anti-Semitic and racial slurs. Graffiti with the group's name was also found on a Twin Lakes Preserve pump house.
Arrested were Matthew Lewis, 18, of Baldwin; Frank Montalbano III, 17, of North Merrick; Peter Cochikas, 17, of Wantagh; Daniel Reilly, 16, of Wantagh; Daniel Abdale, 17, of North Merrick, and an unnamed 15-year-old from North Merrick.
According to police, the six suspects and two others, who have not yet been identified, allegedly jumped a 15-year-old on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 8:50 p.m. The 15-year-old was walking on Park Avenue, near Merikoke Avenue, when the eight assailants leapt in front of him from a trail that runs along Park Avenue. The suspects wore hooded sweatshirts and white bandannas. Police allege that they beat the victim in the face with a bat and stole $150 from him. The victim's parents rushed him to Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, where he was treated for facial injuries.
The six arrested teenagers were charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree assault and fourth-degree possession of a dangerous weapon. Cochikas was also charged with second-degree possession of a forged instrument. Police would not specify what "forged instrument" meant, saying authorities could not comment further because of an ongoing investigation.
Lewis, Cochikas and Reilly were also charged with third-degree criminal mischief for allegedly defacing Wantagh High School with graffiti on Sunday, Jan. 2. Police said the graffiti included the words "Bellmore Punx and Skinz," as well as racial and anti-Semitic slurs. Detective Sgt. Gary Shapiro of the Special Investigation Squad said that police discovered a connection between the three alleged assailants and Bellmore Punx and Skinz through their investigation of the alleged robbery. Shapiro added that Lewis did not deny that he was a skinhead.
Shapiro would not say whether the other arrested teenagers were members of Bellmore Punx and Skinz, but said the investigation is ongoing and that more arrests might be made.
Rabbi Harvey Goldscheider, spiritual leader of the Temple Beth-El of Bellmore, said in response to the arrests, "We have to be grateful for the police, because it is not always possible to find the people behind the graffiti. We have to take this very, very seriously and punish them to the full extent of the law. A bias crime is serious because it leads to the demonizing of others."
Richard Schary, a North Bellmore resident and environmental activist who recently mapped out a nature trail along the Wantagh Parkway, said, "The Bellmore Punx and Skinz are giving us a bad name, but none of the kids arrested are from [Bellmore]. They're sullying our name again by taking our name. It's not fair."
Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg, a Democrat of Merrick, said the Nassau County Police Department treated the graffiti and the alleged beating with the utmost care and concern. "Police were able to find who and what groups were behind these crimes and handled them in an expeditious manner," he said. "We are not going to tolerate gangs, youth violence, or race- or bias-related crimes in our neighborhood. These kinds of crimes will not be tolerated."
George Caso, an attorney representing Montalbano, would not comment on the case, saying, "It's still too soon to make a comment, which could compromise our own investigation." Calls to other defendants' attorneys were not returned.
Comments about this story? HFlores@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
