‘Cookie Monster’ impersonator accused of accosting child is arrested in New York
Sesame Street characters Cookie Monster, Ernie (center) and Bert (behind) at the fifth anniversary of Hollywood theme park Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.
A man in a "Cookie Monster" costume allegedly shoved a two-year-old child and shouted obscenities in Times Square on Sunday, leading to his arrest, reported The New York Post, explaining that "C is for cookie — and for criminal charges."
Osvaldo Quiroz-Lopez, 33, was taken into custody on Sunday on several charges, among them hostile begging, said the Associated Press.
Police said the man, a Mexican native who did not enter a plea after being arrested, asked a Connecticut family to pose for a picture and then tried to get them to pay two dollars for it. He was reportedly enraged when the family refused, said AP.
The Cookie Monster stunt is the latest in a string of similar attempts on the part of costumed characters aiming for paid photo ops in tourist-heavy New York City, said the International Business Times.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. If you’ve been thinking about making a donation, this is the best time to do it. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. All donations between now and June 30 will be matched 2:1. Will you help keep our newsroom on strong footing by giving to The World?