Long Island Teens Threw Bricks, Cinder Blocks From Overpass: Police

Two Long Island teens face felony charges for allegedly throwing bricks and cinder blocks from an overpass last week, sending a woman to the hospital when one of the bricks shattered a car windshield, State Police announced Saturday.

Andrew Denton, 17, of East Meadow, and Jacob Palant, 19, of Syosset, are each charged with second degree assault, two counts of second degree criminal mischief and three counts of reckless endangerment. The assault and criminal mischief charges are felonies.

According to police, Denton and Palant threw bricks and cinder blocks from a Meadowbrook State Parkway overpass near Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale on Dec. 26. Two vehicles–a 2015 Jeep and a 1996 BMW–were struck by items.

A passenger in the BMW–a 22-year-old woman–was taken to the hospital with facial injuries after a brick shattered the windshield of the vehicle, police said.

Both vehicles sustained extensive damage, totaling more than $1,500 each, police said.

Denton and Palant were arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Saturday. Denton also faces charges of first degree criminal contempt, second degree criminal contempt and second degree aggravated harassment for a separate unspecified incident that occurred on New Year’s Eve, according to court records.

Denton is being held in jail on $500,000 bond or $250,000 cash bail. Palant was released following his arraignment on $50,000 bond. Both teens are due back in court next Tuesday.

New York State Police photos: Andrew Denton (left) and Jacob Palant