Police: Barefoot Congers Man Attacks Neighbor During Snow Storm

A Congers man walking barefoot during Thursday night’s snow storm is accused of an apparently unprovoked attack against a neighbor and then fighting with a police officer, according to Clarkstown police.

Matthew Hecht, 30, was admitted to Nyack Hospital for unrelated medical issues after his arrest and is awaiting arraignment on charges including assault, harassment and resisting arrest, police said.

Hecht was arrested at about 4:50 p.m., after a 911 call from a homeowner at the Waters Edge development in Congers. Police said Hecht is accused of ringing a neighbor’s doorbell and then attacking the neighbor when he opened the door.

Hecht, who was not wearing socks or shoes at the time as a nor'easter was hitting Rockland County with snow, grabbed, slapped and punched the homeowner, police said. The homeowner suffered minor injuries and was treated by emergency medical personnel.

As a Clarkstown police officer arrived at Waters Edge, police said Hecht was still hitting the neighbor and they were wrestling on the ground. A police officer tried to separate them, and police said Hecht then began to struggle with the officer.

Police said Hecht kicked and fought with the officer until two other officers arrived and were able to subdue Hecht.

Hecht suffered a small cut on his head, police said, and was taken to Nyack Hospital for treatment. A town police officer suffered a knee injury and was also treated at Nyack Hospital.

Police said Hecht was admitted to the hospital for an unrelated medical issue.

He is charged with:

-       Second-degree assault, a felony

-       Third-degree assault, a misdemeanor

-       Resisting arrest, a misdemeanor

-       Second-degree harassment, a violation

Police said they do not know what prompted the attack.