NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – A hostess was attacked by tourists from Texas on Thursday after she asked them for proof of vaccination at Carmine’s on the Upper West Side, police said.
The hostess asked the three women to show proof of vaccination as they entered the Italian restaurant at Broadway and W. 91st Street around 5 p.m., police told WABC.
The 24-year-old hostess was struck multiple times and her necklace was broken, according to the New York Post, which reported there was an argument over the legitimacy of the women’s vaccination documents.
The three alleged attackers—a 44-year-old woman, her 21-year-old daughter and a 49-year-old woman—were arrested on assault and criminal mischief charges, according to the reports. They were given desk appearance tickets and ordered to appear in court Oct. 5.
The hostess was left bruised and scratched but ultimately refused medical attention, police said.
New York City requires all people 12 years and older who are eating indoors at restaurants to show proof of vaccination.
In a statement, a Carmine’s spokesperson told WABC, “Our goal is to serve our customers great food, offer excellent service and hospitality while keeping our employees and customers safe as we comply with the government mandated COVID-19 protocols.”
“It's a shocking and tragic situation when one of our valued employees is assaulted for doing their job - as required by city policies - and trying to make a living,” the spokesperson said. “Our focus right now is caring for our employee and the rest of our restaurant family. We are a family-style restaurant, and this is the absolute last experience any of our employees should ever endure and any customers witness.”
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer retweeted a video of the incident and wrote, "There’s no place for this kind of violence to be perpetrated against our essential workers."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Related
