The Bobster
Senior News Editor since 2004
Suspect seen running away after allegedly attacking ‘Boardwalk Empire’ star Michael Stuhlbarg as actor chases him from bike lane
Dramatic video captured actor Michael Stuhlbarg chasing after a homeless man who allegedly attacked him with a rock near Central Park over the weekend. Surveillance footage obtained by The Post sho…
nypost.com
Suspect seen running away after allegedly attacking ‘Boardwalk Empire’ star Michael Stuhlbarg as actor chases him from bike lane
By
Social Links for Isabel Keane
Published April 1, 2024
Updated April 1, 2024, 1:12 p.m. ET
Dramatic video captured actor Michael Stuhlbarg chasing after a homeless man who allegedly attacked him with a rock near Central Park over the weekend.
Surveillance footage obtained by The Post shows the “Boardwalk Empire” actor running in a bike lane moments after his attacker, identified by police as Xavier Israel, 27, sprinted past on the sidewalk.
The footage shows Israel wearing white pants, a cropped white top, and a large white hat that seems to cover most of his face while he runs by. Moments later Stuhlbarg can be seen in all-black running down the street.
The 55-year-old actor, who will take the stage Monday for the first preview of his upcoming Broadway production “Patriots” was walking near East 90th and East Drive Sunday evening just before 8 p.m. when Israel allegedly struck him in the back of the neck with a rock, causing an abrasion.
4 The suspect seen running away after the attack. Obtained by NY Post
4 Stuhlbarg seen chasing the suspect. Obtained by NY Post
Explore More
Thousands of Florida pandemic transplants are fleeing in droves over relentless heat, damaging hurricanes
6 American, 2 Australian cruise ship passengers stranded on African island after cruise refused to let them board
'Libs of TikTok' founder slams Southwest for letting 'massive obese guy' take up half her seat
Israel, who is homeless, was on parole at the time for an attempted robbery.
He has previously been arrested for two assaults as well as an attempted robbery, all of which took place in January 2022, police and sources told The Post.
Stuhlbarg was attacked less than 2 miles from where his “Boardwalk Empire” character, Arnold Rothstein, was fatally shot in the popular HBO drama.
Following the chase, Israel was caught by police outside the Russian Consulate at 9 East 91st St.
4 The suspect’s mugshot seen from a prior arrest.
Police charged him with assault. He was awaiting arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday.
Israel’s lengthy rap sheet includes several random assaults in Central Park.
The 27-year-old was caught on surveillance camera footage in 2022 beating up and stealing the wallet of a good Samaritan who had given him his coat on a chilly January morning, law enforcement sources at the time said.
He was later arrested after pocketing nearly $1,500 from the stranger.
The attack was also the second time in a week Israel had turned on someone trying to offer him help.
Days before, he pummeled a 49-year-old woman who had reportedly been trying to help him. Israel was arrested, charged with assault and released on a desk appearance ticket, sources told The Post.
4 Michael Stuhlbarg seen for the first time after the attack. G.N.Miller/NYPost
Israel allegedly assaulted two more victims – a man and a woman – on Jan. 2 inside Central Park, according to sources.
He is accused of randomly punching the 18-year-olds as they sat on a rock inside the green space.
He was also charged with assault in the Central Park incident.
The resolution of those cases wasn’t immediately clear Monday.
Stuhlbarg declined medical assistance for the reported pain and bruising on the back of his neck, police and sources said.
The Post has reached out to his reps for comment.
5 
5 
5