Homeless man who randomly punched Steve Buscemi sent to jail on $50,000 bail

Metro

By George Roberts, Jon Levine And Tina Moore

The homeless attacker who punched “Boardwalk Empire” actor Steve Buscemi in the eye was sent to jail on $50,000 cash bail during his arraignment Saturday, court records show.

Clifton Williams was accused of approaching Buscemi, 66, on Third Avenue in Kips Bay at 11:39 a.m. on May 8 and randomly punching the actor, before casually walking away.

Buscemi fell to the ground and suffered “bleeding to the eye, swelling, bruising and significant pain,” according to a criminal complaint filed against Williams.

Williams, 50, was charged with second-degree assault because Buscemi is over 65.

He was also charged with assault for allegedly attacking a 22-year-old Asian man 10 minutes before attacking the “Fargo” star.

The suspect has “a significant criminal history in Kentucky and Florida spanning many years, including assaults and other violent crimes,” Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Elizabeth Barry said during the proceedings in Manhattan Criminal Court.

Wiliams “has been in New York for less than a month,” she added, asking for $100,000 bail.

Judge Marisol Martinez Alonso sent Williams, who is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 197 pounds, to Rikers Island Jail on $50,000 cash or $150,000 bail, according to court records.

The New York Police identified him from surveillance footage near the site of the attack and scoured the city for him, including at a Brooklyn homeless shelter, believed to be his last known address, police sources indicated.

When cops confronted Williams with the surveillance photo, he admitted he was the man in the photo and resisted both assaults, according to the criminal complaint.

Williams, dressed in black jeans, a long-sleeved black sweatshirt and gray high-top shoes, said “Yes, Your Honor” in a loud, clear voice during his court appearance.

In addition to the two attacks on May 8, another man told the Post that Williams tried to hit him and threatened to kill him around 12:30 p.m. Friday, the same day he was arrested.

Plumber Mark Belli said the encounter happened at 260 11th Avenue, where Belli works.

“He punched me,” the 54-year-old said. “I dodged it. He went to kick me and his shoe came off. I took his picture because he was chasing me. He said, “If I catch you, I’ll kill you.” »

Belli said Williams lived in a cardboard box just around the corner and was angry that someone took his box.

Belli, whose account could not immediately be confirmed, believes the city caught him while conducting a homeless sweep.

He said he took a photo of Williams and called 911 to report the harassment and was asked to file a report, which he intended to do.