Crime & Safety

Dispute Between Merrick Pizzeria Workers; 1 Arrest, 1 Hurt: Police

It happened Saturday night at La Piazza on Merrick Road.

John Vano is accused of hitting a colleague at the La Piazza restaurant with a pizza peel on Saturday night, police said.
John Vano is accused of hitting a colleague at the La Piazza restaurant with a pizza peel on Saturday night, police said. (Nassau County Police )

MERRICK, NY — A worker at La Piazza in Merrick got into a verbal argument with another employee leading to an injury.

As the altercation escalated Saturday evening, police said John Vano, 50, of Franklin Square, struck the co-worker on the head with a large pizza peel, the tool used to move pies in and out of the oven.

The 42-year-old male victim suffered a cut on his head and was treated at a local hospital.

Find out what's happening in Merrickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Vano fled the scene before officers arrived. He turned himself in to police on Sunday.

He is charged with second-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Vano was scheduled to be arraigned on Monday.

Find out what's happening in Merrickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.