Vito Dambrosio charged with fatal stabbing of parents at A & A Italian Deli & Pizza in Plainedge

The man accused of fatally stabbing his parents at the Plainedge deli the family operated for decades was waiting in the parking lot when police arrived at the scene and found his mother and father on the floor of their beloved business, Nassau police said on Friday. 

Vito Dambrosio, 30, was charged with first-degree murder — multiple victims, Det. Lt. George Darienzo of the Nassau Homicide Squad said at a news conference in Mineola. 

"He had blood on his hands and blood on his clothing," Darienzo said.

Later on Friday, Nassau District Judge Michele Johnson ordered Dambrosio, who had been hospitalized after his arrest, held without bail during a bedside arraignment at Nassau University Medical Center.

Johnson ordered Dambrosio to return to court on Dec. 9. Dambrosio's attorney, Raymond Queliz of Queens, declined to discuss the case. 

Responding officers found Dambrosio’s mother, Angela Pulisciano, behind the deli counter with a stab wound to the throat, Darienzo said. The 62-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. Dambrosio’s father, Antonio Dambrosio, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The deli is across the street from John H. West Elementary School, where a crossing guard led students across the street and past yellow police tape on Thursday while homicide detectives and crime scene unit personnel gathered evidence.

A Massapequa resident who described himself as a loyal customer said Dambrosio told him "I stabbed my parents" before nonchalantly walking out. 

"I've been coming here for 30 years, and this is the worst thing in my lifetime and I'm 97 years old," Joe Boros said.

Police said the stabbing of the parents was provoked by an estrangement from his family after an altercation with a sibling last month.

Shortly before arriving at the deli on Thursday morning, police said, Dambrosio went to a nearby coffee shop and slapped the butt of a woman working there.

He then went to his family’s deli, where police said he had an argument with his parents in a back room.

"At some point, he had stabbed his mother and then later turned the knife on his father, stabbing him also," Darienzo said.

Dambrosio was out on bond and wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the fatal stabbings, Darienzo said. He had an order of protection from his sibling before the November incident. He had no prior arrests but did have prior interaction with law enforcement.

Neighbors and longtime A & A customers said the deli was a neighborhood staple for decades, famed for its chicken cutlets and friendly owners. The business was packed on Sundays with customers who lined up for egg sandwiches. The family visited relatives in Italy every summer, neighbors said. 

On Friday evening, a large memorial of flowers, candles and a drawing off and angel was left outside the deli, including notes that read, "we love you and miss you Angela and Tony."

The neon sign was illuminated Friday evening, with cardboard covering the storefront windows.

Jose Velazquez, 64, of Plainedge, stood outside the deli on Friday afternoon to mourn the couple and pay his respects. He said he knew the victims for 35 years.

"My kids grew up here," Velasquez said. "Everyone has to be praying for the family. I still can't believe it. I think God is happy now because he has someone to make good pizza and breakfast. Tony always had a little smile. I've never seen him mad. He was always happy, and I think God is happy."