By Alexander Dworkowitz
A former police officer from Whitestone was sentenced to 60 days in jail for beating up a Westchester teacher in a fit of rage, authorities said.
Craig Yokemick, 34, of Murray Street, was given 60 days in jail and three years probation by State Supreme Court Judge Jeffrey Cohen last Thursday, said Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
Yokemick was convicted of assault in the third degree on March 25 after a two-day jury trial.
On the evening of April 26, 2002, John Richardson, a school teacher, returned to his home to find Yokemick and a female companion sitting in a car in the front end of his driveway, authorities said.
Richardson asked Yokemick, “What are you doing here?” according to Lt. Anthony Masi of the Yorktown police.
Yokemick responded by getting out of the car and cursing at Richardson, authorities said.
Yokemick told Richardson he was a police officer and then punched the teacher, knocking him to the ground, authorities said.
“Yokemick then picked up the victim by the throat, threatened to kill him and threw him down, causing the victim to sustain a dislocated and fractured shoulder as well as cuts and bruises,” the district attorney said in a news release.
After the attack, Yokemick headed to dinner with his female companion and two friends who lived in Yorktown Heights, authorities said.
Richardson managed to write down the car's license plate number and a detailed description of the car, which put the police on Yokemick's trail, authorities said.
The two men did not know one another, authorities said. Richardson lived on a dead-end street, and police said Yokemick probably was lost.
Yokemick surrendered to Yorktown police 13 days after the incident, authorities said.
After the attack, Yokemick was suspended for 30 days from his job with the Queens warrant squad. He eventually resigned from the New York Police Department.
Last year's incident was not the first time Yokemick had gotten into trouble with the law.
In 1998, he was accused of throwing a 2-pound police radio at a drug suspect, killing him.
Although he was cleared of all charges, a Manhattan jury ordered Yokemick to pay $650,000 in damages to the mother of the dead man. He was also relegated to a desk job with the NYPD.
Yokemick's attorney, Arthur Giorgini, could not be reached for comment.
Reach reporter Alexander Dworkowitz by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 141.
