Cookie Monster, Minnie Mouse Arrested for Harassing Tourist in Times Square

Brittany Jones-Cooper
·Reporter

The Cookie Monster, Olaf from Frozen, and Minnie Mouse were all arrested in Times Square for harassing a tourist.

Never thought we’d write that sentence.

According to News 4 New York, the three costumed characters were working in Times Square, taking photos with tourists for money.

That’s when cops saw the trio follow a man and aggressively demand money. The altercation got so heated that at one point the characters blocked the man’s path and insisted he pay them $20.

Intimidated by the big-eyed furry characters, the man handed over $10.

However, the characters didn’t get to celebrate their victory for long. An NYPD officer had been watching the whole incident, and arrested the three characters for harassment.

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It’s all fun and games until a fight breaks out over money. (Photo: AP)

While the people dressed up as Sesame Street characters, superheroes, and Disney favorites are popular with visitors, it’s actually illegal for them to ask for money after taking photos with tourists. Any money exchanged is on a donation basis only.

The struggle over money has led to numerous confrontations over the years. Just last August, Spider-Man got into a fight with an ice cream vendor after the vendor warned tourists that the costumed superhero was harassing people for money. The entire incident happened in front of a Toys “R” Us and was caught on camera.

Around the same time, May de Blasio assigned a task force to come up with a solution for what he called the “growing problem” of costumed characters in Time Square.

Until they find a resolution, plainclothes NYPD officers will continue patroling the square to rein in aggressive characters.

WATCH: Spider-Man Arrest Strengthens Push To Regulate Times Square Characters

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