Man Pepper Sprays Family During Road Rage Incident: Police

A Sea Cliff man faces assault charges after police say he pepper-sprayed another man and his two children, ages 14 and 19, in a Hicksville parking lot Tuesday night.

According to authorities, a 47-year-old man was driving with his two children into the Broadway Mall, near the Newbridge Road entrance, when another driver pulled in front of him at 6:40 p.m.

The driver, later identified as 58-year-old Hicksville resident Robert G. Labella, started yelling obscenities at the man from his vehicle, police say. As the 47-year-old attempted to write down Labella’s license plate while in the Target parking lot, he was approached by Labella who was shaking a can of pepper spray, police say.

Labella then allegedly sprayed the pepper spray into the man’s car, hitting all three people inside the vehicle.

The man and his children, along with a witness, attempted to subdue Labella, causing the witness’ wrist to be slammed into a parked car, police say.

Labella was able to flee the scene, police say.

An investigation led to Labella’s arrest at his 8th Avenue home. He was charged with three counts of second-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

He will be arraigned Wednesday at First District Court in Hempstead.

Image via NCPD