By Christina Santucci
Authorities were investigating whether a dispute inside the Neptune Diner earlier this month was an anti-gay assault, the NYPD said.
A 30-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man had been at the popular Astoria eatery, at 31-06 Astoria Blvd., at 5 a.m. Jan. 8 when they got into a dispute with several people, police said.
Cops said anti-gay statements were made to the pair, and the fight escalated with an unknown number of suspects allegedly throwing plates at the man and woman, who were later taken to the hospital to be treated for lacerations to the head.
Investigators from the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force were trying to locate two women and one man to question them about the fight, according to police.
Those with information should contact NYPD’s Crimestoppers by calling 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting its website at nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting 274637 (CRIMES) and entering TIP577.
Reach managing editor Christina Santucci by e-mail at timesledgerphotos@gmail.com by phone at 718-260-4589.
