Homeless Man Dies After Riverhead Assault: Cops

RIVERHEAD, NY — A homeless man died after he was injured in a Riverhead assault last week, police said.

According to Riverhead Police, Suffolk County Police homicide detectives are investigating the incident, which took place on West Main Street on Thursday.

Wayne Sapiane, 65, reported to police that he was struck on the head by an unknown male during an altercation; Southampton Town and Riverhead Town police both responded to the incident, police said.

Sapiane, who was homeless but living in Riverside, was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead, and later to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, where he died on Sunday, police said.

An autopsy will be done by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death, police said.

Police are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact homicide squad detectives at 631-852-6392 or to reach out anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.