Suffolk County Police today arrested an East Patchogue man for assaulting an elderly man in a Commack parking lot last week.

Robert Whittaker was panhandling for money in a parking lot, located at of 10 Garet Place, on May 7 when he pushed a 79-year-old man at approximately 3:45 p.m. The victim suffered minor injuries. Following an investigation by the Fourth Precinct Crime Section, officers responded to a 911 call reporting Whittaker was on East Main Street in Bay Shore today at 4:13 p.m.

Fourth Squad detectives charged Whittaker, 56, of 1 Brookwood Lane, with Assault 2nd Degree, a felony. He is being held overnight at the Sixth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on May 15.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Fourth Precinct Crime Section at 631-854 8426.