Cops: Westbury man grabbed for officer's gun

A Westbury man was arrested Sunday night after he grabbed the service weapon of an officer who had responded to a domestic disturbance at his home and had to be subdued by the officer and his partner, police said.

Nassau County police said the altercation occurred at a residence on Castle Avenue in Westbury at about 7:50 p.m.

Gamaliel Nieves, 39, was arrested and charged with second-degree attempted robbery, second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child, police said in a news release Monday.

Police said the child belonged to the couple and was in the home at the time, but could not immediately give the age of the child.

Police said the officers involved had responded to a domestic incident between Nieves and his 25-year-old wife and said that while the wife was being interviewed, Nieves came down the stairs and charged the other officer, knocking him into a wall and then onto the floor -- and then grabbed his service weapon and attempted to free it from the holster.

Police said a struggle ensued, and after the officer was able to retain his gun, the two officers then subdued Nieves and placed him under arrest.

During the struggle, police said one officer suffered "bruising and swelling" to his right hand and fingers. He was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released.

Nieves was arraigned Monday in First District Court in Hempstead.