Police

Cops: Homeless hospital patient punches male nurse

Southold Town police car

A homeless hospital patient was arrested Tuesday after he punched a male nurse several times, Southold Police said.

Officers were called to Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport around 11:32 a.m. after receiving a report that Azzam Buggs, 28, had repeatedly hit a registered nurse with a closed fist, police said.

The 59-year-old nurse suffered a laceration to his nose, and pain, swelling and bruising around his left eye and right rib cage, according to the criminal complaint.

Mr. Buggs was arrested on a felony assault charge and transported to police headquarters, police said. He is being held at the county jail in Riverside until he is due back in court Friday.

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story described the victim as female.