Man arrested in Oct. '08 attack on Times Union writer

Guilderland Police have arrested a 38-year-old Poestenkill man in connection with the assault of a Times Union columnist in a parking lot last October.

Gerald Spiegel has been charged with misdemeanor third-degree assault in connection with the Oct. 17, 2008 incident, when local food writer Steve Barnes and a friend were attacked in the parking lot of Stuyvesant Plaza near the newly opened Creo Restaurant.

Police say Spiegel was one of the men who attacked the victims.

"I am pleased there is an arrest," Barnes told CBS 6 News today. "I'm hoping that justice is served. If there is a connection to a restaurant, I hope those people are also brought to justice. I have never met Siegel and never heard his name until Guilderland Police contaacted me."

Spiegel was arraigned in Guilderland Town Court last night and released on $1,000 cash bail.

The court judge has issued a protection order for the victims.

Police say the investigation is continuing.