Crime & Safety
WATCH: Men Pelt NYC Deli Worker With Avocados, Bananas Over Wrong Food Order
At least one "person of interest" is in custody.
BRONX, NY — Two men at a deli in the Bronx hurled avocados and bananas at a store worker over their food order, police said.
The avocado assault took place two blocks from Yankee Stadium at 4:45 a.m. on May 29, police said. The deli worker suffered a broken jaw as well as lacerations and fractures to his face from the attack. He was taken to Lincoln Hospital in serious, but stable condition, according to police.
Authorities released surveillance footage Tuesday which shows the attack in its entirety.
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It shows a man in a black graphic T-shirt calmly collecting a handful of avocados from a stand near the register. Suddenly, he goes into a rage and throws three in succession at a worker who is hit and falls to the ground clutching his face.
The man grabs more of the fruit and throws it at the worker while he's on the ground.
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A second man eventually joins him, throwing more avocados, brandishing his belt and knocking over a stand of chips.
The first man grabs a dozen or so bananas and tosses them on top of the worker, who was lying on the ground, before he and the other assailant leave.
Police described the first man as a 25- to 30-year-old Hispanic male who stands 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs 170 to 190 pounds and was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, blue jeans and colored sneakers.
The second man was described as a 25- to 30-year-old black male who stands 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs 170 to 190 pounds and was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, a blue vest, blue jeans and blue and white sneakers.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
UPDATE: After this video was sent out Tuesday evening, police said they had a "person of interest" in custody in connection with this incident. That person has not been arrested or charged.
Image via NYPD
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