Updated 7 p.m.
A second man, ID'd as 55-year-old Gerald Barth, was also arrested. Luis Peroza and Barth are suspected of several assaults, per published reports. According to the Post: "Barth allegedly pointed a finger at Peroza as the muscle in the unhinged incidents..."
Several EVG readers have emailed us about Barth, and that he is well-known in Tompkins Square Park
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Today we informed Ray that we identified and apprehended the perpetrator responsible for this heinous crime.
— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) February 4, 2023
Special thanks to Warrants Section, 9th Detective Squad, and Intelligent Division. pic.twitter.com/QM9H2DKwaT
[Updated noon] NY1 reported (and amNY) that police arrested Luis Peroza, a 39-year-old East Village resident.
As EVG first reported, Ray and his employee Gabe were attacked outside Ray's Candy Store, 113 Avenue A, early Tuesday morning.
A man struck Ray with what was described as a belt with a rock attached to it… causing a black eye and gash on Ray’s temple. Gabe was hit across the chest.
The suspect reportedly threatened to kill Ray, per the police report. All this apparently happened because Ray turned down an offer to buy seltzer water from the man and his accomplice.
On Thursday night, a nurse finally convinced Ray to go to Beth Israel. We're told that a CT scan revealed three broken bones in his face and a dislocated jaw. The doctor put Ray on antibiotics and told him to go rest. Perhaps he will rest easier knowing that the police arrested the suspect.
P.S. Ray's 90th birthday crowdfunding campaign continues here.
Updated 3:30 p.m.
Mayor Adams thanked the NYPD in a tweet, linking to the Post's coverage this afternoon...
1010 WINS posted this perp-walk footage from today outside the 9th Precinct on Fifth Street...New York’s Finest never rests.
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) February 4, 2023
Thank you to the NYPD for their quick work in bringing the suspect behind the attack on the legendary Ray’s Candy Store to justice. https://t.co/QRBlX2g859
Suspect Luis Peroza is walked out of the 9 Pct station house to face arraignment on assault charges for allegedly striking 90 year old candy store owner Ray Alvarez. Alvarez is resting at home. He has 3 broken facial bones. He plans to return to his store to work #1010wins pic.twitter.com/LDgCiDSWHk
— Carol D'Auria (@CarolDAuria) February 4, 2023
H/T Stacie Joy
Lock him up, throw away the key. He could've just as easily killed Ray and if he's left to walk around it's only a matter of time before he kills someone.
ReplyDeleteGreat news!! Get some rest, Ray.
ReplyDeleteYou covered this whole situation very well. As soon as you posted about it, dozens of other people began reporting on it. We appreciate you doing your part to keep the community safe!
ReplyDeleteHe could have killed Ray. Good they got him off the street.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope DA Bragg doesn't put him back on the streets in 5 minutes.
ReplyDeleteI just hope the Manhattan DA's office does its job and prosecutes this guy to the fullest extent possible. None of this no bail or low bail crap and he just walks out the jail house door just to commit more crimes. The NYDA and the NYS Legislature have to realize the majority of people who commit violent crimes are repeat offenders and only their incarceration will keep citizens safe.
ReplyDeleteThank you, EV Grieve, for sharing updated news with our community. This is blog is an enormous wealth of resources and crucial information. It is my go to for what is happening around us.
ReplyDeleteI am echoing the sentiment of others. I certainly hope this POS is brought to full justice and not released into the public so he can inflict more harm upon others, especially Ray. I am disappointed in our courts where there is now a cashless ball system, and a DA who seems to be politically driven, and at times, oblivious if not avoidant with the needs and concerns of New Yorkers. I am as liberal as one can be, but there must be limits and consenquencs when it pertains to horrible crimes such as this.
Good job by the NYPD. Apparently he was hanging out around Avenues C and D, but this guy is not an East Villager. The news says the perp is from the East Village, but his Facebook page says he was born in the Bronx and lives in Brooklyn. He might want to update his Facebook page to his new residence: Rikers Island.
ReplyDeletePerhaps on Monday people could call the Manhattan DA's office at (212) 335-9000 to encourage swift justice for Ray?
ReplyDeleteI wish people would become more informed about cashless bail and the bail reform law that was passed and quit spreading disinformation. The law addresses a system that was grossly unfair to poor people charged with crimes, particularly those charged with misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies who spent months or years in jail waiting to go to trial because they couldn't raise bail.
ReplyDeleteThe reform leaves bail to the discretion of the judge for all crimes involving violence and there are no credible statistics showing that the reform has led to increased crime. Seriously, if the guy charged with assaulting Ray makes bail before his trial, it will have nothing to do with the cashless bail law.
@Steve 2:30pm
ReplyDeleteA well intentioned reform, but the shoplifting as a result is far beyond out of hand. It'd be great to reform this reform to stop people from clearing shelves in stores without fear of retribution.
Thanks EV GRIEVE for being the GO-TO site for up-to-the-minute coverage of local events, both good and bad.
ReplyDeleteWhen I confronted media hounds at Ray's about their getting the news from EV Grieve, they smirked and did not deny it!
As for the perp, people I know were LOOKING for him. He is fortunate that NYPD got him first!
So heartbroken for Ray, hoping he heals quickly both physically and emotionally. An attack on a man of his age should warrant punishment equal to that of a hate crime.
ReplyDeleteThank you EV Grieve!! You're the Best! Ray is getting some we deserved rest !
ReplyDeleteLove Ray, Love EV Grieve
How about some THANK YOU's for the 9th Precinct's quick work apprehending the perpetrator considering they are down 30 officers.
ReplyDeleteYes contact Alvin Bragg and also our City Council member Carlina Rivera. The City Council is considering de-funding the NYPD. We need MORE police on the streets not less.
Just heard that the creep known as "Insanity Claus" (real name Gerald Barth) who is seen almost daily in TSP bumming cigarettes and change, was Peroza's accomplice, having joined him in assaulting and robbing others earlier Monday night.
ReplyDeleteIf either of them get out of hail, they would be wise to STAY AWAY from Ray and Tompkins Square Park.....
Very sad to hear about this senseless and brutal attack on Ray and Gabe. Glad to hear they are recovering. If Gerard Barth and Luis Peroza are suspects in several violent attacks in the East Village, the community should be warned about the potential danger. The post says Barth is well known in Tompkins Square Park. Why doesn't the post include a photo of Barth so residents have information on this suspect?
ReplyDeleteThank you EV Grieve, 9th Precinct's, the media! And everyone that cares and many who Love Ray, he is very grateful for all the support and he said he still Loves America!
ReplyDeleteEast Village Community Member:
ReplyDeleteThe first two sentences of this post (starting with "A second man, ID'd as 55-year-old Gerard Barth...") include two links to the New York Post article on the arrests... they published a photo of Gerard Barth.
I failed to mention my gratitude towards the 9th precinct in apprehending him earlier through my last comment from a previous post. Their work was expedient and is much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteIf these two are supposedly known for more criminal activity in our neighborhood, why are they still out if they have criminal backgrounds? How much time did they actually serve before being released?
My statement referencing our cashless bail system was not made out of ignorance or disinformation. According to another commenter, I don't know what I am speaking of, which isn't the case. I've done my homework. I have an understanding due to the disadvantages others may have when they are unable to afford posting bail, where they are kept for long periods of time, which many would deem unfair, and inhumane, especially if their crimes weren't violent or didn't involve theft.
I think cashless bail should certainly be warranted for a handful of low level crimes, however; there have been numerous violent attacks upon countless others from assailants throughout the city, some pushed on subways, and many sexually assaulted for example, whom have reappeared on the streets days following their attacks on the public. As a law abiding, tax paying resident of the EV, I find that very disturbing,
Herein presents a significant problem. Does the DA press charges? Given Alvin Bragg's track record, he appears to be quite lenient. It is of course the discretion of the judge to issue that determination if they are a threat to society, where they remain in custody until an arraignment is set, and hopefully, a subsequent trial which follows.
These two scumbags are dangerous and vile. They should remain behind bars at Rikers indefinitely and serve lengthy sentences. Assault on anyone is horrific, but assault on an elderly person is equally unforgivable as it is jarring. This story has created national attention as it should. I hope Ray understands just how beloved he is to us and to others who don't even know him. I also hope he is mending well and taking it easy.
Suspect Gerald Barth, age 55, is now no longer living in the East Village and is a resident of Rikers Island.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the NYC Inmate Lookup Gerald Barth is 6 ft 1 inches and 250 pounds, and his bail is set at $3,000 (which he has not posted). He faces 5 charges including Attempted Robbery-1st:use Danger Instrmt and Aslt W/int:ser Inj W/weap, $3,000 bail sounds low for this type of crime.
Suspect Luis Peroza faces 9 charges, with the top charge of Aslt W/int:ser Inj W/weap an also Aslt-2: Injure Vic 65 Or Older. He is also likely headed to Rikers Island if he's not there already.
We need to realize this ordeal is far from over for Ray, as he will now be involved in a court case which will be a huge distraction, force him to relive the assault, and which will take time away from the work he loves. The good news is that all the media attention which EV Grieve has generated should ensure that these guys get what's coming to them, some serious time up the river.
Update: Luis Peroza appeared in court today and bond was set at $250,000. He would have to sell a lot more seltzer to get out of jail now.
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DeleteSo very grateful to EVGRIEVE for their continued excellent reporting, information and updates.
ReplyDeleteoh wow i see Gerald Barth DAILY and he's always given me the creeps. i didn't realize he had violent tendencies, but happy to hear he's off the streets (for now).
ReplyDeleteYes I see Gerald Barth daily as well. He's either asking me for change or threatening to kill me for no reason. Did it in front of my daughter's school two weeks ago. Hopefully that guy never comes around again. And "Insanity Claus" is a great name for him. So apropos.
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