Mastic man stabbed 71-year-old during road rage dispute, police say

A 25-year-old Mastic man faces arriagnment today in Central Islip Wednesday on two felony counts — including one that specifically targets violence against elderly victims — after allegedly stabbing a 71-year-old man in the neck during a road rage dispute.

Jeremiah Giraud faces two counts of second-degree assault: one for intentionally causing physical injury with a weapon and a second count under a provision that elevates the charge when the victim is 65 or older. Both are felony charges. He is set to appear at First District Court in Central Islip.

The incident unfolded about 9:10 a.m. Tuesday on Ditmas Avenue in Mastic, when motorists from two vehicles became involved in a dispute. Giraud, while riding as a passenger in a 2005 Nissan, got into a conflict with the driver of the other vehicle.

Both cars pulled over, the men got out, and following a verbal exchange Giraud allegedly knifed the 71-year-old man in his neck. Giraud then hopped back in the Nissan, which fled westbound on Ditmas Avenue.

The victim was taken to a local hospital. His injuries were described as non-life-threatening.

Seventh Precinct patrol officers broadcast a description of the Nissan and located it unoccupied in the parking lot of the Family Dollar at 1600 Montauk Highway in Mastic. Officers canvassing the store found Giraud hiding inside and arrested him about 10:45 a.m.

The defendant spent Tuesday night in jail at Suffolk Police’s Seventh Precinct.

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