A Canadian tourist was punched in the face by a man offering free hugs in New York’s Times Square.
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Himmelstein, 24, was charged with attempted robbery and fraudulent accosting.
Police say Himmelstein demanded a cash tip from the 22-year-old woman, who was visiting from Ottawa, after she took a photo with him.
The woman was taken to Mount Sinai West Hospital and was treated for an injury to her eye as well as cuts and bruises.
“I was aggressively asking for tips”, Himmelstein said as he was led out of the Midtown North precinct Thursday evening.
Be Civil – It’s OK to have a difference in opinion but there’s no need to be a jerk.
“He is no stranger to this”, said NYPD Chief of Department James o’Neill.
He was also charged today in connection with an incident in April, when police allege he punched a woman in the side of the head while she was waiting for the train.
He’d been arrested at least seven times in the past three years for punching women, some of whom allegedly refused to give him hugs. He has multiple prior arrests – some of which were also for assault. Mayor Bill de Blasio just signed a bill a few weeks ago allowing city officials to restrict the characters’ movements to keep them from blocking pedestrians in the traffic-free parts of the square.
His parents said he is autistic. In one attack in Washington Square Park, he allegedly told the victim “you’re pissing me off, and I assault people when I’m mad”.
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Himmelstein likely would have been subject to a city law passed earlier this year regulating costumed characters, desnudas and other street performers in Times Square and other public spaces.
