Assault at diner

1. It was a bright, cold Wednesday morning at Louie’s Dale Diner. A close friend of the Katsikoumbas family, which owns the diner, had taken up his usual position near the entrance to hand out lollipops to customers as they came and went.

But the next man to enter the establishment on Feb. 11 was not a customer. Heavily intoxicated, he stumbled through the door and asked to use the restroom.

“The bathroom is occupied,” the Katsikoumbas’ friend informed the 29-year-old, who then left the establishment.

Within a few moments, the man returned, grabbed the lollipop-giver and slammed him against the Louie’s Dale’s counter, injuring his head, back and right leg.

An officer at the corner of West 231st and Broadway arrived at the scene within minutes and cuffed the 29-year-old, whose rap sheet included more than 20 arrests for offenses including multiple violent crimes and larcenies.

Police had up until then been busy at the Broadway intersection handing out goodies of their own — flyers to promote “Bronx Make a Friend Day.”

2. Pork-barreling

Managers at the 540 West 235th St. Key Foods branch were just gearing up for the after-work rush on their stores on Feb. 12 when they noticed suspicious activity in the meat aisle.

Vincent Gomez and his co-manager Dennis Limberis approached the man, who they said appeared to be under the influence of drugs. The employees asked him pointedly why he was stuffing pork products into his backpack and pants.

A brief scuffle ensued, with Mr. Gomez and Mr. Limberis managing to detain the suspect.

Police valued the bacon on his person at $53 and booked the 43-year-old for petit larceny. The man had previously been arrested for two larcenies and an assault.

3. Hefty burglary

One gold chain: $800. Two pairs of 14k gold earrings: $600. Two gold bracelets: $800. One 14 karat diamond ring: $300. Various clothes: $30.

Police counted $2,530 in damage to one 76-year-old’s accounts when he fell victim to burglary on Feb. 11. The man left his 3000 Kingsbridge Ave. apartment at 10 a.m., and discovered the loss upon returning at 5:19 p.m.

A first canvassing effort at the scene of the crime turned up no leads from building residents. Police said that they hope cameras in the lobby of the building will provide the clues necessary to close their investigation of the burglary.

4. Back down to earth

Authorities said three unknown men robbed a 29-year-old of his Samsung smartphone on Feb. 12 at 12:15 a.m. at Godwin Terrace and West 230th Street.

After parking his car there and stepping onto the street, the suspects accosted the victim. One person struck the man on the back of the head and took his Galaxy 5S phone, valued at $500.

The victim described his assailants by their clothes — one with a blue vest and a burgundy hoodie, another wearing a dark overcoat and the third a black jacket.

5. Violent assault

Police said a 37-year-old man answered a knock on the door of his 2755 Reservoir Ave. residence between 11:15 and 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 12.

Before he could identify the three callers, they jumped at him and struck him repeatedly with closed fists. Still conscious on the floor, the 37-year-old saw the glint of a knife in the hand of the assailants.

Police recorded multiple lacerations on the victim’s face, but determined they had come from blows of the fist. The case remains open to detectives, who are following a lead on the identity of the assailants.

Items in Police Beat are based on reports of crimes and arrests. Those arrested are not guilty unless a court convicts them. Police Beat does not include every crime in our coverage area.