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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Officer Punched By Man After Trying to Stop Him From Hitting Others: NYPD

GREENWICH VILLAGE — A police officer was punched in the face by a man he was trying to stop and question for attacking people on University Place, the NYPD said.

The 28-year-old officer saw a 21-year-old man punch two pedestrians in the face in front of 45 University Place, at the northeast corner of University Place and East 8th Street, about 4:15 a.m. on July 11, police said.

The officer, Peter Plessa, tried to stop the man, police said, and the man punched him too. Plessa's jaw required treatment at Lenox Health Greenwich Village, authorities said.

A second officer, William Quinones, tried to arrest the man, but the man repeatedly yanked his arm away from Quinones, police said, hurting Quinones' shoulder.

They were eventually able to arrest the man and take him back to the 6th Precinct, police said.

While at the precinct, Officer Michael Collarini helped the man use a restroom, but when he tried to handcuff him again to take him back to a holding cell, the man punched Collarini in the face, police said.

Another officer, Robert Eysel, then tried to handcuff the man, but the man flailed his arms and tried to punch Eysel as well, police said. Police said the man hurt Eysel's elbow and shoulder.

Sources at the 6th Precinct said he appeared emotionally disturbed.

The man was arrested and charged with four counts of felony assault in the second degree for allegedly attacking the officers, as well as one count of assault in the third degree and two counts of attempted assault in the third degree.

He is facing two separate court cases, one for the assaults in the precinct, and the other for the ones on University Place. He is being held on bail of $10,000 cash or bond for each case.

His defense attorney for both cases did not immediately respond to a voicemail left for comment. He is due back in court on Aug. 16.