A couple accused of assaulting a 59-year-old hotel worker in Mystic, Connecticut, while allegedly yelling racial slurs after complaining about the lack of hot water in their room, were arrested Monday morning in Brooklyn, New York.
Philip Sarner and Emily Orbay were extradited to Connecticut later on Monday, where they face assault and other charges, Stonington police said in a statement.
Sarner, 39, and Orbay, 28, do not have permanent addresses, but are known to be primarily based in Nassau County on Long Island, police said.
They are accused of attacking Crystal Caldwell, a black receptionist, on June 26 at a Quality Inn, where she has worked for several years. Caldwell said the couple confronted her after complaining about the temperature of the water in their room.
Caldwell and her attorney, M. John Strafaci, said the couple, who is white, attacked her twice and called her cute.
Hotel surveillance video shows Sarner and Orbay approaching Caldwell while she is near an ice machine. Sarner hits her, pushes her to the ground and appears to kick her in the head while she is on the ground. The couple then leave, while two of Caldwell’s coworkers come to their aid.
Caldwell suffered a severe concussion, as well as injuries to his right eye, back and knees, Strafaci previously told NBC News.
Police said they received two calls to 911 at approximately 11:30 a.m., reporting a physical disturbance at the Quality Inn.
The first call came from a Caldwell colleague, according to NBC Connecticut.
The woman told a dispatcher that a guest was “hitting my receptionist” and “is hitting my receptionist,” the outlet reported. Another voice can be heard in the background of the call saying, “I want you arrested now.”
A short time later, police received another call from a hotel guest who was later identified as Sarner. “The staff just assaulted me,” said the caller. A dispatcher asked, “How were you mugged?” Sarner replied, “hitting me on the head. He’s on camera.”
Sarner, Orbay and Caldwell requested medical attention and were taken to separate hospitals. Police said they were unable to control the couple, who then returned to the hotel, recovered their car, and left the state.
Sarner is charged with second and third degree assault. Orbay is charged with assault in the third degree. Both are accused of intimidation based on fanaticism and prejudice.
Sarner and Orbay were released early Tuesday morning after meeting their court-set bail of $ 75,000 and $ 50,000. They are due to appear in court on July 29.
It is not clear if they have lawyers. They could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.
