CBS New York reported that the search for Steve Buscemi’s attacker had been going on since Monday. The breakthrough came when 50-year-old Cliff Williams walked into the 10th Precinct in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood on Friday afternoon to file a report about stolen property.
Officers recognized Williams from his ID and arrested him. He now faces two assault charges: one misdemeanor and the other a felony due to the actor being a 66-year-old senior citizen.
Buscemi Was Not The First Victim
Cliff Williams reportedly punched a 22-year-old man on Third Avenue near 16th Street around 11:30 AM on May 8. He allegedly hit Steve Buscemi in a second unrelated attack about ten minutes later near 27th Street.
Security videos show Buscemi walking south on Third Avenue and greeting someone just before crossing the street and being attacked. Another video captures Williams walking north and appearing to talk to himself shortly before.
The Actor Was Injured
Buscemi was left with a swollen left eye and face injuries from the attack. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment soon after the incident.
His publicist issued the following statement:
“Steve Buscemi was assaulted in Mid-Town Manhattan, another victim of a random act of violence in the city. He is ok and appreciates everyone’s well wishes, though incredibly sad for everyone that this has happened to while also walking the streets of New York.”
Other names including Rick Moranis, Bethenny Frankel, and Michael Stuhlbarg previously suffered from similar incidents on the New York City streets.
