UPDATE: Levittown Man Arrested for Utility Worker Assault

Update, Nov. 14, 10:02 a.m.

Nassau County Police have said that the assault occurred as a result of a verbal argument at the restaurant and not because of Applewhite's employment as a utility worker.

ORIGINAL STORY

A Levittown man was arrested Tuesday afternoon in connection with an assault that left an out-of-state utility worker hospitalized over the weekend.

According to police, Thomas Libretto, 34, was arrested at his residence around 4:45 p.m. following an investigation by the Nassau County Police Third Squad.

Police say that Libretto allegedly punched 34-year-old John Applewhite, of Tampa, Fla., in the face after approaching him in the Texas Roadhouse parking lot in East Meadow Friday night. After the assault, Libretto fled the scene in a dark-colored BMW sedan.

Applewhite, a 12-year employee of Lakeland Electric, had come to Long Island to help repair the mess left behind from Hurricane Sandy.

The Huffington Post has reported that Applewhite needed a plate in his face and a wire in his jaw due to the severity of the attack.

Libretto is being charged with assault in the third degree. He will appear at First District Court in Hempstead on Tuesday for arraignment.