Wantagh Man Charged with Menacing a Police Officer

A Wantagh man has been arrested and charged with menacing a police officer in front of his Duck Pond Drive home.

According to detectives, police responded to a home on Duck Pond Drive Thursday for a disturbance. While at the scene, Ira Goldberg, 41, exited the home holding a six inch kitchen knife in his hand that he raised over his head.

The responding Seventh Precinct police officers ordered Goldberg numerous times to drop the knife, detectives said. After a short hesitation, Goldberg threw the knife towards the police officers and ran inside the house, according to detectives.

After the knife was thrown, police pursued Goldberg and placed him into custody. While Goldberg was being handcuffed, Lilia Vasquez, 38, of the Bronx pushed one of the police officers attempting to interfere with the arrest, according to detectives. Vasquez fought with the officer until she was subdued and arrested.

Goldberg was charged with menacing a police officer, fourth-degree possession of a dangerous weapon and second-degree aggravated harassment. Vasquez was charged with resisting arrest and second-degree obstructing governmental administration. Goldberg and Vasquez were scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Friday.