Video: Superman Arrested! Times Square Cops Cuff Man Of Steel With Zeal

Inevitably, video has surfaced of last week's altercation between the NYPD and two men in Times Square dressed as Superman and Batman. You'll recall that police approached the men to inquire whether they had permits to perform in public, and when they failed to produce permits or ID, the Bronx man dressed as Superman, Maksim Katsnelson, ran off yelling, "I'm not getting arrested!" The police routinely order buskers to disperse from popular tourist areas, although it is technically legal to perform in most public places without amplification, as long as one isn't disrupting pedestrian flow.

It's unclear whether these two costumed men were "performing," soliciting cash in exchange for photographs, or just hanging out "having a good time," as Batman imitator Frank Frisoli told the Post. What is clear is that Superman's attempt to avoid capture backfired dramatically, leading to a sad/funny scuffle with police. (He was charged with assault and resisting arrest; Batman was later released without charges.) A witness says Superman punched the female officer in the face during the arrest, and she can be heard in the video shrieking, "Don't fucking hit me again! You're assaulting an officer!"

Below, video of Batman sitting sullenly in handcuffs after the incident—we're guessing Post columnist Andrea Peyser will actually be pleased to see those controversial lawn chairs put to good use arresting the rabble!

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on July 13, 2009 4:07 PM

Comments [rss]

slny

You're right. No more phone booths.

He went in here:

http://www.toilets.com/products/portajohn.htm

slny

Wait-a-minute, why doesn't the man of steel just fly away from those cops?

NannyState

And where did he find a phone booth in Midtown?

P2H

This is a classic example of the police force we hired. Are they professional, educated and in control?

No.

Shrieking "You hit an officer! You hit an officer!" - really makes our city look bad. We got what we pay for by giving badges and guns to the G.E.D. "graduates" to play cop.

BklynsFinest

@ second video guy with camera:

"Why can't we be here?"

because you're a douche.

NannyState

I wonder which one of the arresting officers was secretly wearing Superman Underoos?

Guest

None. Superman has ethics.

AvenueHebrew

Anybody know if one of those cops was Wesley Willis?

EricRoberts

She had three cops on her because she was resisting. I thought the officer was pissed but was also trying to tell Superman that she was escalating a simple crime to one much more severe. And I have no trouble with cops dropping the f-bomb after they get punched in the face. It's one thing to expect them to remain calm in the face of verbal abuse but physical too?

I also liked the part where the officer mounted her. And of course the glimpse of the videographer was great.

g0thamg1rl

Uhhh, the "She" you are referring to is a cop... "SHE" was on top/mounting the SupmerMAN.

leftylib

It looks like the guy was sitting in a chair. I think they were harassing him for no reason.

donner

Please allow me to "holler" at the guy who took the video. Heyyy booo!

jaycjay

shrieking, "Don't fucking hit me again!"

Courtesy, professionalism, and respect... all wrapped up in one shriek.

longacre

You're right, instead of yelling she should have Tasered him.

ronin

Apparently this altercation hasn't changed anything as I just saw them in the early afternoon today on 5th Ave heading towards Central Park, this time joined by another friend dressed like Capt. America (but without the shield).

Superman was a moron though as he deliberately crossed 57th while not having the light into traffic and in front of a bus waiting to make the turn onto 5th. Batman was cautious enough to wait for the light. =p

whitecastlerock

YAWN... Post videos that show the cops beating these idiots with lawn chairs-or with cardboard tubes!! Yipppeeeee

theboneranger

That was really worth it.

LOLZ @ the "Lady Sovereign" look-alike cop screaming hysterically like a teenager.

"YOU ASSAULTING AN OFFICER?!". That is the perfect example as to the way NYPD operates.

YA THINK HE MIGHT FLAIL A LITTLE WITH THREE KNUCKLEHEADS SHOVING THEIR KNEES ALL OVER HIS BODY? YA THINK?! No.. he gets smeared as some lowlife who punched a cop so he deserved for these cops to take their personal frustrations out on him.

Check out the other view in the other article they did with the fat one putting the whole weight of his body on his knee against the kid's head.

Exhaggeration when they are the ones operating, Minimizing their own actions when they've gone too far. They're so good at it, its become an institution.

Paint everyone that isnt NYPD with a big, wide brush and smear all dissent.

It totally makes sense that they were annoyed at two kids putting on a show so much that they decided to put on their own show for the people of Times Square. And it took three grown men and a shrieking woman to take down a kid.

Are NYPD the wimpiest pussy cops in the world or what?

BEWARE OF THE IMMINENT DISAPPEARANCE OF YOUR RIGHT TO TAKE A PICTURES OF "OFFICIAL POLICE BUSINESS". IT'S COMING.

longacre

I saw that guy standing in front of the Gap that morning holding a big American flag...thought he'd be a nice addition to the collection of lame performers in TSq. Apparently he's just a douchebag.