The woman’s injuries are visible in this photo.
THIS photo shows the shocking moment a tourist was left with a black eye after allegedly being punched in the face by a street performer in Times Square.
The 22-year-old woman had posed for what was meant to be a cheery photo with Jermaine Himmelstein, who was holding a sign for “free hugs”.
According to police, Himmelstein demanded money three times. She refused each time, and he then assaulted her and ran away. The woman, who is originally from Canada, was treated in hospital for a cut above her right eye and bruises.
Himmelstein was arrested on robbery and fraudulent accosting charges shortly after the incident. He has allegedly admitted to sucker punching people because they refuse to tip him, and has been arrested 16 times since 2012, ABC 7 reports.
Jermaine Himmelstein is escorted by police. Picture: William Farrington / PolarisSource:australscope
That includes the punching attack on another woman who was waiting for the train near Times Square on April 29, where he allegedly told her; “You will respect me or I will (expletive) knock you out”. The victim also claims he asked her; “What do you think I’m a rapist?”
In April 2013, he was arrested for throwing a can of soft rink at a woman who refused to hug him. The same year, his mother Denise Himmelstein, told the NY Times that her son was autistic and “comes from a home where we give him hugs”.
“Please tell every woman in America, I apologise,” she said at the time. “Any woman walking through that park, I apologise.”
The woman holds an ice pack on her face. Picture: William Farrington / PolarisSource:australscope
Bail was set at $6800 for the latest two incidents, and Himmelstein will reappear in court on May 18. As he was led out of a police station, he told reporters that he “was aggressively asking for tips.”
