Man Charged With 'Violent Acts' Against Movie Theater Employees: PD

SAYVILLE, NY — An East Islip man was arrested on Tuesday afternoon and charged with committing violent acts against two movie theater employees, Suffolk County police said.

Donald Ahlers Jr., 55, was charged with third-degree assault, criminal obstruction of breathing, and endangering the welfare of a child, police said.

On June 18 at about 9:40 a.m., Ahlers Jr. entered into a physical altercation with a female employee in front of Sayville Cinemas, located at 103 Railroad Ave, police said.

During the altercation, Ahlers Jr. grabbed and squeezed the female employee’s neck, police said.

A 16-year-old employee tried to intervene, and Ahlers Jr. then attacked the teenager, punching him in the head and gouging his eye, police said.

Both employees both suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

The female employee took to social media this weekend, describing the incident while attaching a photo of the man. The theater also posted on its Facebook page on Monday, thanking the community for their support.

Sayville Cinemas did not respond for comment.

Ahlers Jr. is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Wednesday.