A Manhattan building manager has been arrested after being caught on shocking video violently kicking and punching a resident down a two-story staircase, authorities said.
According to the criminal complaint, Nick Valentin, 45, was seen kicking a 26-year-old tenant down the stairs at about 8 a.m. Saturday in a building on 112th Street near Third Avenue.
The video was captured on a doorbell camera and obtained by CBS News. The footage shows him picking up a wrench to continue hitting the tenant as he stumbles down another flight of stairs.
Valentin was charged with one count of second-degree assault in connection with the incident, which began as an argument, authorities said.
Police said the attacker did not live in the building.
The victim suffered a laceration to his right hand and was experiencing pain in his left arm, and officers at the scene observed the resident's arm was visibly swollen, court documents state.
He was taken to Cornell Medical Center, where he is reported to be in stable condition, police said.
According to CBS, Valentin was arrested following an emergency 911 call from a resident of the building.
Neighbors were shocked by the news of the incident. “I don't think there's any way they can pay their rent this way,” Michael Velazquez, who lives near the apartment, told CBS News.
Another resident told the outlet she was “very surprised” by the video, and said she had repeatedly raised concerns about health and safety in the building.
Valentin pleaded not guilty and was held without bail in Manhattan court on Sunday.
Police said the assailant, Valentin, had no criminal record.
He is due back in court on October 17th.
