Suffolk County Police today arrested a second man for assaulting and harassing a same-sex couple in Patchogue on May 14. Following an investigation, Hate Crimes Unit detectives charged Thomas Gair Jr., 66, of Patchogue, with Assault 3rd Degree as a Hate Crime and two counts of Aggravated Harassment 2nd Degree. He was scheduled for arraignment today at Suffolk County Court in Riverhead.
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.
Following an investigation by Hate Crimes Unit detectives, Joseph Kess, 40, of Patchogue, was charged with Assault 3rd Degree as a Hate Crime, Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree as a Hate Crime, and Aggravated Harassment 2nd Degree.
Kess will be held overnight at the Third Precinct for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on June 15. “It is unacceptable that two people cannot enjoy a night out without being intimidated, ridiculed and physically assaulted because of the victims' sexual orientation,”
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison said. “There is no room for hate in this county and we will continue to arrest those who target individuals based on personal biases.” “It is despicable that two young women couldn’t peacefully enjoy a beautiful spring sunset by the bay without allegedly being verbally and physically attacked simply because of their sexual orientation,” said District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney. “There is no place for bigotry in Suffolk County and my office will do everything in its power to ensure that perpetrators of hate crimes such as the one alleged here are held accountable.”
The investigation is continuing.
