Suffolk County Police today arrested a second man for assaulting and harassing a same-sex couple in Patchogue on May 14.
Suffolk County Police had previously arrested Joseph Kess, 40, of Patchogue, for assaulting and harassing a same-sex couple in Patchogue. Two females were watching the sunset at Mascot Dock on South Ocean Avenue on May 14 at 7:45 p.m. when two males in a vehicle made anti-lesbian remarks. One of the men punched one of the women while the other man tried to push the second woman into the water and threw one of their cell phones into the water.
Both women, 29, were treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital.
Joseph Kess was charged with Assault 3rd Degree as a Hate Crime, Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree as a Hate Crime, and Aggravated Harassment 2nd Degree.
Following an investigation, Hate Crimes Unit detectives on Wednesday, August 9, have also charged Thomas Gair Jr., 66, of 311 Bay Ave., Patchogue, with Assault 3rd Degree as a Hate Crime and two counts of Aggravated Harassment 2nd Degree. He was scheduled for arraignment at Suffolk County Court in Riverhead.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.