A Manhattan building superintendent has been arrested after he was captured on an alarming video violently kicking and beating a tenant down two flights of stairs, authorities said.
Nick Valentin, 45, was seen kicking a 26-year-old tenant down a flight of stairs around 8 a.m. Saturday at the building on 112th Street near Third Avenue, according to his criminal complaint.
Video captured by a doorbell camera and obtained by CBS News showed him picking up a wrench to continue to beat the tenant as he stumbled down another flight of stairs.
Valentin was charged with one count of second-degree assault in connection to the incident, which was provoked by a verbal dispute, authorities said.
The attacker does not reside inside the building, according to cops.
The victim sustained lacerations to his right hand and had pain in his left arm. Cops on the scene observed the tenant’s arm to be visibly swollen, court records show.
He was transported to Cornell Medical Center and was reported to be in stable condition, according to police.
An urgent 911 call by a tenant in the building led to Valentin’s arrest, according to CBS.
Neighbors expressed shock at the news of the incident. “I think that is not the way that you’re going to get your rent at all” Michael Velasquez, who lives near the apartment told CBS News.
Another tenant told the outlet he was “very alarmed” by the video and mentioned he’s repeatedly raised concerns about health and safety in the building.
Valentin pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance without bail in Manhattan court Sunday.
Valentin, the attacker, has no prior criminal record, according to police.
He is set to return to court on October 17th.
