2 Teens Arrested After Attack At Port Jefferson Station Gym: SCPD

PORT JEFFERSON STATION, NY — Two Centereach teenagers were arrested Friday in connection with an altercation outside a Port Jefferson Station gym last week, Suffolk police said.

Members of CrossFit DHP, located at 650 Route 112, were participating in an outdoor fitness class at 5:30 p.m. July 23 when a group of teenagers on bicycles began harassing them, police said. Sixth Precinct police officers broke up the dispute; however, the teens returned around 6:15 p.m. and continued harassing the patrons, police said.

Two 15-year-old boys were arrested. Police said one teen threw a barbell at a gym member and was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment. The other swung a bicycle seat at another gym member and was charged with second-degree menacing, police said. Police withheld their names because they are minors.

The teens were issued desk appearance tickets and scheduled for arraignment at Suffolk County Family Court in Central Islip on August 14. Tickets were also issued to two of the teens' parents, police said.

No one was injured in the altercation. A now-removed video posted to Comsewogue Community on Facebook showed it unfold.

Police the group of teenagers also went to Wendy's at 4955 Nesconset Highway, where they threw drinks and cursed at customers in the parking lot, police said. Police did not say if the two boys who were arrested were part of the group who rode to Wendy's.

CrossFit DHP owners Ryder Champouillon and his wife, Jenny Juniper, said they and everyone at the gym are "beyond grateful for the Suffolk County Police Department, our friends and family and our incredible community" following the boys' arrests.

"All of which have helped us work together showing these boys that your actions have consequences," the gym told Patch. "We hope that they are set on to a different path that leads them to success in their lives. We will continue to be a beacon for health and fitness in this community, and provide a safe haven for our members and anyone who would like to join us to improve their lives. We were also inspired to create a program to help children in need who might be lacking positive role models."

The group of teenagers harassed members who were going on a run, leading to the altercation, Champouillon and Jupiter previously told Patch.

"Along the way, they started to fight one of our members, picking up a barbell and trying to throw it at him," the gym said on Wednesday. "When the cops left, they came back about 10 minutes later looking for a fight, threatening to kill us. That is when the video that has gone viral was recorded. They went as far as to use pipes from their bikes as weapons as they swung them at our heads. To go even further, several of them spit on us, which during a pandemic is an unquestionably wrong.

"We would ask everyone to continue to be positive role models to our children. The amount of disrespect was horrifying in this situation and we hope these children move down better paths in their future."