Crime & Safety

Massapequa School Custodian Charged With Assaulting Administrators at Police Academy

Custodian also accused of making threats over radio.

A custodian for the assaulted two district administrators after they confronted him about making threats over a portable radio system Friday, Nassau Police said.

Angelo Tenace, 51, of Shirley, was working at the Hawthorne School facility, which is owned by the school district but is currently being used as the Nassau County Police Academy, when he allegedly broadcast his threats over a frequency used by the district.

The custodian was angry that someone had taken his picture while he was asleep and he said, over the radio, he was "going to get whoever did it," according to a police source.

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When two Massapequa school administrators came to the Academy at about 4:15 p.m. to confront him, Tenace became angry and waved a lit cigarette in one of their faces.

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Find out what's happening in Massapequawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The unidentified 41-year-old administrator avoided the cigarette, but Tenace punched him in the head, cops said. He later complained of blurred vision, dizziness and disorientation.

A 44-year-old administrator tried to intervene, but was knocked to the ground, hurting his right hand and knee. They were treated at a local hospital and released.

Police arrested Tenace and said he was carrying two switchblades on him.

He was charged with assault, menacing and weapons possession.

A spokeswoman for the district did not immediately return a call for comment.


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