First Elmo from Sesame Street yelled anti-Semitic slurs at children. Then Woody from Toy Story allegedly groped two young women.
Now, as New York City authorities consider legislation to regulate costumed characters in Times Square, a man dressed as Spider-Man has been charged with assaulting an officer and resisting arrest after he allegedly punched a policeman.
Junior Bishop, 25, is one of the many so-called street performers who pose for photos at the famous Manhattan intersection in return for tips from tourists. On Sunday, said AP, a police officer approached the Spider-Man impersonator as he demanded a woman pay him more than the US$1 she was offering for a snap.
When Bishop told the officer to "mind your own f***ing business" and declined to produce any ID, the officer tried to arrest him. The wannabe web-slinger hit the officer and made a break for it, but was detained by other NYPD officers in the square.
The incident comes a week after New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton welcomed the city council's efforts to deal with Times Square's "Elmo issues". A bill is being considered that would call for licences and background checks.