The NYPD's crackdown on masked Times Square performers continues, as an Elmo, a Spider-Man, and two Iron Men were arrested during a 30-minute span over the weekend.
According to the New York Post, the four men were arrested on Saturday while harassing tourists for tops. This came mere hours after police distributed pamphlets to tourists explaining that they can tip the costumed performers after posing for pictures with them at their discretion:
The four rogue characters were charged with disorderly conduct late Saturday, with “Spider-Man” William Suarez, 32, also charged with aggressive panhandling for allegedly laying his hands on a potential mark.
Suarez, “Iron Man” Javier Hernandez, 37, and “Elmo” Jose Maria, 25, were all locked up pending arraignment, while the other “Iron Man,” Khalid Lahmadi, 40, was released with a summons.
Recent incidents involving the Times Square performer faction have led to clamoring for their activity to be regulated. Lucia Gomez, head of immigrant-rights organization La Fuente, told the Post that a number of the performers are Hispanic immigrants who have reached out to La Fuente for assistance in coping with any regulatory provisions levied against them.
This latest sweep of arrests reinforces the fact that NYPD is serious about tourists enjoying Times Square free of harassment.
[via New York Post]
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