Cops: Valley Stream man swiped ice cream cone

A Valley Stream man tried to cash in on a free Carvel ice cream coupon Wednesday, police said, but ended up paying the price of at least one night behind bars on robbery and resisting arrest charges.

William Hotz, 59, of 32 Haven Ave., ordered an ice-cream cone about 11:30 a.m. at the Carvel store, 1551 Dutch Broadway, police said.

Hotz handed a store employee a "One Free Ice Cream Cone" coupon for his $3.50 treat, police said, but when he was told that the coupon had expired, Hotz just turned around and headed toward the exit without paying.

When the employee confronted him, Hotz punched him several times in the face, police said, causing a laceration and swollen lip.

When officers arrived, Hotz twisted his body, flailed his arms, and refused to be handcuffed, police said, before several officers were able to control him and place him under arrest.

Hotz was to remain in police custody overnight, pending his arraignment Thursday morning on the charges in First District Court, Hempstead.