Cops ask help finding suspect in April stabbing in Hempstead

Police have identified one suspect wanted in the stabbing of a 38-year-old man outside a Hempstead restaurant in April and said they are continuing to search for him -- and a half-dozen or more other suspects.

Nassau County police identified the known suspect as Francisco Sanchez, releasing a photo of the man, but could not supply any additional identifying information. Sanchez was in a group of "7 to 10 male" suspects who police said stabbed the victim "multiple times" outside the El Mariachi Loco, a bar on Fulton Avenue, at 3:21 a.m. April 5. The other suspects have not been named.

The victim was stabbed and "struck with belts," police said, and managed to break from the assault but fell to the ground on North Franklin Street.

He suffered no internal injuries. A friend was able to flee, unharmed, police said.

Hempstead Village police said the victim told officers one person stabbed him. Village police said the attack occurred at two locations, Centre Street near North Franklin Street and on North Franklin, outside a chicken restaurant, where some of the victim's belongings were found on the street.

Nassau detectives are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”