Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Cookie Monster Arrested For Shoving 2-Year-Old In Times Square
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Apr 8, 2013
Modified Apr 8, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Apr 8, 2013
Modified Apr 8, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
When we last saw Cookie Monster ("Cook" to his friends) shortly after he recorded that "Friday" parody video, he was flying high. Having just finalized a messy divorce, Cook had immersed himself in yoga and tracing back his family lineage. He swore he hadn't had a sip of milk in months. And as we said our goodbyes at the wrap party, he looked like a new monster; he had that special googliness in his giant, bulging eyes. So we didn't want to believe those pay phone calls we got last week, late at night, the stench of 2% practically seeping through the receiver. Now we learn that Cookie Monster was arrested yesterday for shoving a two-year-old in Times Square.
According to the Post, a Connecticut mother and her son posed with the unauthorized, costumed likeness of Cookie Monster for a photo yesterday afternoon. When they declined to tip, Cookie Monster "cursed [the mother] and pushed the child to the ground." Police arrested the man inside the suit, 33-year-old Osvaldo Quiroz-Lopez, and charged him with reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child.
The Daily News reports that the dispute was over $2—another two photos and he'd have had enough for a pint of Farmland Dairy and a sack of Famous Amos.
Some in the business might say that tipping is "basic human decency," but decent monsters know that you can't expect a tip every time (and if you're in it for the money, you're in the wrong business). Hopefully we can get Batman to remind Cook about what's really important, and why he doesn't want to end up like Elmo or Mario.
Tagged
Bad old Days
Cookie Monster
elmo
sesame street
Times Square
tipping
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
A big, bright Saturn will be the highlight of NYC's fall stargazing season
Stargazers will have a great view of Saturn and two meteor showers in October.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Oct 3, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. ET
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
Mayor Mamdani has expanded enforcement on towing scams, but the unlicensed towing industry remains largely unregulated.
By
Liam Quigley
News
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
Mayor Mamdani has expanded enforcement on towing scams, but the unlicensed towing industry remains largely unregulated.
By
Liam Quigley
Off-duty NYPD officer stabbed in the Bronx, police say
By
Ryan Kost
DOC negligence factored in death at Rikers' Bellevue hospital outpost, jail officials say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Conductor on NYC subway that dragged man to death may have skipped safety check, source says
By
Stephen Nessen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .