Drunk customer in critical condition after he’s beaten, put in chokehold by Queens deli workers now facing charges
A rowdy drunk customer at a Queens deli is in critical condition after he was beaten up and put in a chokehold by annoyed workers who have now been arrested, police said Monday.
The 31-year-old customer showed up drunk and cursing at Pickles & Pies Food Market & Deli on Beach 116th St. in Rockaway Park about 5:10 a.m. Sunday, police sources said.
Tensions quickly escalated, with two workers confronting him and trying to eject him, police said. One shoved him and the other subdued him with a chokehold, the sources said.
The customer did not appear to be badly hurt when medics took him to St. John’s Hospital in stable condition. But he experienced some sort of medical episode that might be connected to the assault and his condition was downgraded to critical but stable condition.
Police arrested worker Jorge Hernandez, 23, for strangulation, assault and harassment. His colleague Saber Abuhamra, 34, is charged with assault and harassment.
Their arraignments were pending in Queens Criminal Court Monday.
