Spider-Man Punches Cop in Times Square: Police

The 25-year-old man was arraigned in Manhattan court on charges of assault, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, according to the office of the Manhattan District Attorney

A man accused of punching a police officer in Times Square while dressed as Spider-Man was arraigned Sunday and ordered to be held on bail, prosecutors said.

The 25-year-old man was arraigned in Manhattan court on charges of assault, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, according to the Manhattan district attorney's office. His bail was set at $3,500.

Officials say the attack Saturday afternoon came after the officer told a woman posing for a photograph with the costumed man that she did not have to pay a specific amount of money for the photo opportunity. The costumed Spider-Man had allegedly told the woman, who had tried to give him $1, that he would only accept donations of $5, $10 or $20.

Prosecutors say the masked man began to curse and yell at the officer, and then allegedly punched him several times in the face and on his body once the officer tried to arrest him. The officer's glasses were broken, and he had swelling, bleeding and pain, a criminal complaint said.

Attorney information for the suspect wasn't immediately available. He did not enter a plea at the arraignment.

Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance, said the altercation was troubling.

“This incident is yet another reminder that many -- though certainly not all -- of these so-called friendly characters are actually violent and aggressive and have troubling criminal records. A rigorous licensing scheme would address this," Tompkins said in a statement.

A city councilman has proposed a law that would require the costumed characters to be licensed. The alliance has been campaigning for the measure.

Some of the people dressed in costumes in Times Square the day after the alleged assault said they are being unfairly targeted.

"Think about Times Square with no characters right here, you have people walking right here, what about the kids?" said Jose Escalona-Martinez, who was wearing a Batman costume.

--Michael George contributed reporting

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