A 48-year-old man was arrested early Tuesday after police said he struck an employee at a West Hempstead laundromat, followed him into a restricted area and stopped him from calling 911.
Kevin Jemerson, who police described as undomiciled, entered Laundry Palace at 112 Hempstead Turnpike at about 1:07 a.m. Aug. 25, according to Nassau County police.
Detectives said Jemerson approached a 41-year-old male employee and struck him with his hands.
The employee retreated into an employee-only area of the business to call 911, but Jemerson followed him inside, police said. Jemerson allegedly forcibly removed the employee’s phone and threw it on the floor, preventing the call.
Jemerson then fled the laundromat, police said.
Officers located him nearby and arrested him without incident. No injuries were reported at the scene.
Jemerson was charged with third-degree burglary, fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree harassment.
He was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday at First District Court in Hempstead.
Photo: NCPD
