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Death Threats in Halal Turf War Lead to Three Arrests
By
John Del Signore
Published May 13, 2010
Modified May 13, 2010
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By
John Del Signore
Published May 13, 2010
Modified May 13, 2010
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It's rough out there for a street vendor. Three men were arrested recently after allegedly threatening to kill a rival halal food vendor if he didn't find a new corner to work. Yacine Aouimer, 36, and two accomplices are accused of attacking Mohamed Ismail, 34, at knifepoint in Crotona Park in March, holding the knife to his throat and yelling, "If I see you again, I will kill you!" Police sources tell the Post they also stole $422 from Ismail's apron pocket, then slashed a tire on his food cart for good measure.
Ismail says his troubles started after Aouimer and his cohorts set up their halal cart across the street from him in the park. Now he's afraid for his life and his livelihood. "I've been going to the same corner for four years," he tells the Post. "Everybody knows me. Everybody likes me. It was the first time [Aouimer] appeared across the street. I'm scared. I haven't been able to sleep. I haven't been able to work that much anymore. [Aouimer] even threatened me in the precinct." Which is pretty gangsta.
Well, we can't say we're surprised; this is hardly the first time all halal has broken loose among rival vendors. Last year a halal chicken vendor allegedly cut his rival's arm in a turf war, and the ruthless Halal Food Cart "Mafia" will make you sleep with the shellfish if you cross them.
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John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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