Long Island Man Pepper-Sprayed Family in Target Parking Lot: Police

A Long Island man was arrested after he allegedly pepper-sprayed a father and his two teenage children in a Target parking lot Tuesday evening.

Police say Robert Labella, 58, pulled in front of and then began yelling obscenities at the 47-year-old man and his children, a 14-year-old boy and 19-year-old woman, as they drove into the Broadway Mall in Hicksville.

When the father tried to get the license plate of Labella’s vehicle, Labella approached him shaking a can of what police believe was pepper spray.

Labella allegedly sprayed the pepper spray into the victim’s car, hitting all three people inside.

Although the victims and a witness tried to subdue Labella, he was able to get away, police said.

The witness’ wrist was slammed into a parked car during the struggle.

Labella was later identified and arrested at his home in Sea Cliff, according to police.

He faces a number of charges, including assault, criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child.

He was schedule to be arraigned in Hempstead on Wednesday. It wasn't immediately clear if he has an attorney. 

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