13-Year Old Assaulted By West Babylon Man After “Knock and Run” Prank

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WEST BABYLON, NY - A man was arrested early Friday morning by Suffolk County Police after assaulting a 13-year old boy who played a “knock and run” prank on his home. The man pushed the boy against a car and threatened him with pepper spray.

Suffolk County Police say that the actual door-knocking prank occurred on Wednesday afternoon after the 13-year old victim and five of his friends were walking from a home on 14th Avenue to a playground at Tooker Elementary School.

Police say the 13-year old boy ran up to a home on Second Street and knocked on the door, running off with his friends after the prank. The homeowner, John Petrillo, 48, then entered his 2015 Chrysler sedan and began to chase the 13-year old, who was on a bicycle at the time.

Petrillo then cut in front of the bicycle with his car and pulled the teen off of it, pushing him up against the car. During the altercation, the 13-year old’s head hit the car window. It was at this time when Petrillo threatened to use pepper spray against the teen after displaying a canister and let his dog attack him if he tried to flee.

A passerby interjected and stopped the altercation. Police say as the boy and his friends left, Petrillo verbally threatened him.

Petrillo was arrested at his home on Friday at 1AM. The teenager gave a statement to police late Thursday. Petrillo was charged with second-degree menacing and child endangerment as a result of the incident.

According to court records, at Petrillo’s arraignment on Friday, there was no order of protection issued, but the judge warned Petrillo to stay away from the teenager. Petrillo was released on his own recognizance.

Petrillo was confirmed to be a Long Island Railroad employee by the Metropolitan Transit Authority according to a Patch article posted on March 9th.