The Eighth Squad reports the arrest of a Deer Park man for a crime that occurred on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 1:05 p.m. in South Farmingdale. According to Detectives, Besart Astafa, 28, of 53 Stevenson Place entered a Spa, located at 34 Hempstead Turnpike and began making terroristic threats. Customers were able to intervene and restrain the defendant until Police arrived, where they arrested defendant Astafa.

During the investigation, it was determined Astafa was responsible for a similar incident that occurred in Plainview. On Sunday, August 13, 2023 at 1:30 p.m., defendant Astafa entered the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 160 Washington Avenue. He began to assault an employee of the Church and made terroristic threats.

The victim was able to call police, but the subject fled the scene. Defendant Astafa is charged with Making a Terroristic Threat, Assault 3rd Degree, two counts of Harassment 2nd Degree, Criminal Mischief 4 th Degree and Menacing 3rd Degree.

He will be arraigned on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at First District Court, 99 Main Street in Hempstead.