Celebrity News November 14, 2020
Arrest Made in Rick Moranis Attack
Original "Ghostbusters" actor Rick Moranis, 67, was taken down in a random attack in NYC last month, and now police say they have made an arrest.
The star was reportedly walking near his Upper West Side apartment around 7:30 a.m. on October 1 when a man passing him on the street punched him in the head. Surveillance images were distributed showing a man police identified as their prime suspect.
On Saturday, November 14, the NYPD tweeted they had apprehended the suspect — and it was thanks to an alert officer.
Mint Mobile & NYPD
"Thanks to an eagle-eyed sergeant from @NYPDTransit," the tweet announced, "this suspect has been apprehended and charged."
People magazine reports that Marquis Ventura was arrested Saturday in connection with the incident.
He was reportedly spotted by transit cops within the NYC subway system a few blocks from where the attack took place. He was placed under arrest on suspicion of second-degree assault.
At the time of the attack, Moranis' manager, Troy Bailey of Bailey Brand Management, identified the popular "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" actor as the victim, telling The New York Post, "He is fine but grateful for everyone's thoughts and well-wishes."
A surveillance video obtained by “Extra” captures the assault and shows Moranis, his face blurred by law enforcement, falling to the ground.
The NYPD did not initially name Moranis in reporting the crime, but released further details, saying, “It was reported to police that on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 0724 hours, a 67-year-old male victim was walking southbound on Central Park West in the vicinity of West 70th Street, when an unidentified male struck him in the head with a closed fist, knocking the victim to the ground. The unidentified male then fled northbound on foot.”
The cops also revealed the reclusive star's injuries. “The victim suffered from pain to the head, back, and right hip and traveled by private means to an area hospital for evaluation, before reporting the incident to police at the 20th Precinct," they said.
Moranis stepped out of the spotlight years ago, but recently resurfaced in a Mint Mobile ad alongside Ryan Reynolds.
Next up, Moranis will make his feature-film comeback in a new "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" sequel, this one starring Josh Gad as his hapless character's adult son.
