A brazen mugger bashed a Hell’s Kitchen food cart vendor in the face, knocking several teeth out before robbing him of thousands of dollars, police said Wednesday.
The victim was manning his cart at W. 49th St. and Eighth Ave. when the robber struck him in the face with a metal object, possibly a pipe, about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, police said.
The crook repeatedly bashed the 36-year-old vendor in the face before robbing him of about $3,500.
The victim lost several teeth in the attack, police said. Medics took him to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.
At the corner Wednesday night, the victim’s co-worker filling in for him as he recovers told the Daily News it wasn’t the first time they’ve come across the assailant.
“This guy is trouble,” Hasan Lhendeou said of the attacker. “I hope they get him so he doesn’t come back.”
Police on Wednesday released photos snapped of the man, weapon in hand. He was last seen wearing a Mets baseball cap and a blue-and-white striped puffer jacket as he fled into the 50th St. subway stop.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.
