Long Island 7-Eleven Clerk Attacked Over Mask Rule

HEWLETT, NY — A clerk at a 7-Eleven on Long Island was attacked by a customer Tuesday after he tried to enforce the store's mask requirement, Nassau County police say.

According to police, the man pictured above entered the 7-Eleven at 415 Mill Road in Hewlett at 9:55 a.m. without wearing a mask. He tried to make a purchase but was told by the clerk that he couldn't be served because he wasn't wearing a mask.

The man then tried to leave the store with a cup of coffee he didn't pay for, police said. The clerk tried to stop the man from leaving, and the man grabbed the clerk by the throat and pushed him outside, police said.

While the man was choking the clerk, police said a second man got out of a gray Jeep and threw the clerk to the ground, police said. Both men then fled in the Jeep.

Police are asking anyone with information about the attackers to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All caller will remain anonymous, and you could receive a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.