A man offering ‘free hugs’ in New York’s Times Square is accused of punching a Canadian tourist in the face after she refused to tip him for his hug and a photo.

Jermaine Himmelstein was arrested on robbery and fraudulent accosting charges shortly after the Thursday afternoon incident.

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.

When the woman refused to pay, police say Himmelstein punched her in the face and then ran off.

The victim was left with a black eye, cuts and bruises.

As Himmelstein was led out of a police station later on Thursday, he told reporters that he ‘was aggressively asking for tips.’

The New York Times suggested Himmelstein had a history of assaulting women in New York.

Source:
courtesy of METRO

by Richard Hartley-Parkinson

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