Drunk Man Fired Gun Outside Crowded Long Island Bar Before Driving Off: Police

Police say they arrested a North Merrick man for shooting at a bar from inside his car and driving away drunk.

According to police, 911 received a call for a fight in front of Ginger’s Bar, located at 2046 North Jerusalem Road in North Bellmore, at 12:59 a.m. Sunday. Upon arrival, police were told by several patrons standing outside that Richard Sambade, 44, of Tyrus Court, who was driving a pickup truck out of the parking lot, had shot a gun from inside his vehicle.

Officers pulled Sambade over. They say he had glassy, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. He was placed under arrest. A .38-caliber Taurus revolver was found inside the truck. Police also say they found eight rectangular white pills believed to be alprazolam in Sambade's pocket.

Sambade is being charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree reckless endangerment and driving while intoxicated. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Sunday at First District Court in Hempstead.

Photo: Nassau County Police Department