The suspect accused of brutally attacking a food vendor in Hell’s Kitchen with a metal pipe and stealing $3,500 from his cart has been apprehended and charged with robbery and assault, according to authorities.
Jeffrey Vargas, 45, was arrested around noon and faces second-degree charges for robbery and assault in connection to the incident that occurred at West 49th Street and Eighth Avenue on Tuesday night. The victim, a 36-year-old cart operator, suffered broken teeth from the assault.
Reports indicate that Vargas attacked the worker with various objects, including the pipe, before taking the money and fleeing into the 50th Street subway station nearby.
The victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital and is in stable condition. A coworker mentioned that the victim had only been working at the cart for a few months and may require surgery.
Following the release of surveillance footage by the NYPD showing Vargas at the subway station, he was arrested. He has a prior arrest record from 2019 for disorderly conduct.
Additional reporting by Joe Marino
