Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. today announced the indictment of FELIX NOEL, 62, for striking a 45-year-old rival food cart vendor with a crowbar while he set up his cart near City Hall in February 2023. NOEL is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Assault in the Second Degree, Assault in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree.^[1]

“This victim was allegedly violently attacked in front of his own children for just trying to do his job,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Food cart vendors are a key part of the fabric of our city, and these hardworking New Yorkers deserve to be safe when they go to work every day.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record, at approximately 8:00 a.m. on February 11, 2023, NOEL’s work associate approached the victim shortly after he arrived with his two young children to set up his workstation for the day. The associate began arguing with the victim about his business and food cart territories on the sidewalk of Park Row near City Hall. NOEL arrived shortly after the argument, drove his truck on the sidewalk, and got out of the truck with a yellow crowbar.

NOEL chased the victim and several of his fellow food cart vendors before striking the victim all over his body with the crowbar, causing significant bruising on his knee, back and elbow, and breaking his rib.

Officers arrived at the scene following a 911 call, arrested NOEL, and recovered the crowbar from the back of his truck.

Assistant D.A. Kieran Hall is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Jung Park (Interim Chief of Trial Bureau 80) and Maxine Rosenthal (Deputy Chief of Trial Bureau 80) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division) with the assistance of Trial Preparation Assistance Declan Forte. The Language Services Unit is also providing valuable support.  

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly members of the First Precinct.

Defendant Information:
 
FELIX NOEL
New York, New York
 
Charged:

• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count
• Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count

^[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.

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