Garden City Police Commissioner Ernest J. Cipullo has announced the arrest of eight people for a gang assault on August 15th . At about 12:30 a.m. on that date, several young men from West Hempstead and Franklin Sq went to the Nassau Blvd Railroad Station to meet another group of young men from Mineola. The subjects were meeting in order to fight over a previous incident.

At the time the victim, an 18 year old Westbury resident was at the train station with two 17 year female friends.

According to police, the investigation revealed that the subjects mistook the victim as being one of the Mineola subjects and set upon him. The victim was beaten and stomped into unconsciousness suffering two broken cheek bones, a fractured jaw and severe concussion. After the beating the subjects then caused $4000 in damage to a parked vehicle which they mistakenly thought belonged to the victim.

An intensive investigation by the Garden City Detectives, under the supervision of Det/Sgt Bartkowski, led to the identity and arrest of: Ryan Surlis, age 17 of West Hempstead; Anthony Bassi, age 18, of West Hempstead; Anthony Franco, age 19, of Franklin Square; Vincent Valvo, age 16, of West Hempstead; Christopher Somma, age 17, of West Hempstead; Patrick Esposito, age 18, of Franklin Square; Justin Simon, age 19, of Franklin Square; and Nicholas Smith, age 18, of Franklin Square.

All of the subjects were charged with Gang Assault in the second degree, a C-felony.

Ryan Surliss was also charged with Criminal Mischief, a D-felony for allegedly damaging the car. Anthony Franco was also charged Menacing And Possession Of A Weapon (Crow Bar).

The subjects were processed and transported to Nassau County Detention pending arraignment in First District Court. In addition to his initial injuries, the victim also suffered blurred vision and other concussion related complications. He is currently recuperating from his injuries.