NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Two men accused of attacking the beloved 90-year-old owner of Ray’s Candy Shop in the East Village a little over a month ago were indicted, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.
Luis Peroza, 39, and Gerald Barth, 55, were charged for the attack and a subsequent assault and robbery spree during the early hours of Jan. 31.
Prosecutors accused the pair of approaching Ray Alvarez, the owner of Ray’s Candy Shop, outside the store on Avenue A around 3 a.m. that morning.
Alvarez told 1010 WINS the attacker, later identified by prosecutors as Peroza, offered to sell him seltzer. When Alvarez refused, Peroza allegedly handed the six-pack of cans to Barth and attacked the shopkeeper with a makeshift, flail-like weapon — “a belt with a heavy rock on the end.”
Alvarez suffered fractured facial bones and a broken jaw from the attack.
About 30 minutes later the pair allegedly demanded money from a 33-year-old man as he left a deli on Avenue C.
When the victim said he didn’t have money, Peroza hit him in the face with an unknown object, breaking his orbital bone and cutting him, according to authorities.
A few hours later, they allegedly approached a 51-year-old man on Avenue B and asked for a cigarette.
When the man declined, Peroza hit him in the back of the head with an unknown object, law enforcement claims.
Peroza allegedly took his cell phone and continued hitting him, facturing facial bones and knocking out a tooth.
“Ray’s Candy Store is a beloved staple in the East Village community, and the attack on its owner is deeply upsetting to everyone who has ever visited this local institution,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “In addition to this alleged assault, these defendants are also charged with attacking two other strangers on the street within mere hours.”
The defendants face charges of assault, robbery and related crimes in the 20-count indictment.
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