Man dressed as Cookie Monster arrested in NY

[April 09, 2013]  NEW YORK (AP) -- A man dressed as the Cookie Monster has been accused of shoving a 2-year-old in New York's Times Square and has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Queens resident Osvaldo Quiroz-Lopez was arrested Sunday afternoon. He was arraigned Monday on charges including aggressive begging. He didn't enter a plea.

A Connecticut family posed for a photo with the man dressed as the "Sesame Street" character. Police say he demanded $2 but the family refused to pay. A criminal complaint says the man shoved the toddler and yelled obscenities at the family.

Quiroz-Lopez has no prior arrests. His lawyer hasn't returned a message seeking comment.

In December, a performer dressed as a Super Mario Brother was accused of groping a woman in Times Square. His case is pending.

[Associated Press]

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