Travoltron
2010-03-13 23:14:17 UTC
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/hell_belz_not_me_rgLoVFefaClM2H1ooIR7oL
TV cop Richard Belzer says choke claim is fiction
"Law & Order" TV cop Richard Belzer said an Apple employee's claim that
he choked her in an Upper West Side computer store was like a storyline
from his show -- pure fiction.
"The sad part of it was that police officers were called and had to
report to the scene, and God knows we don't need all that manpower
wasted on a trivial accusation that was clearly done either for
attention or to embarrass a famous person," Belzer told The Post.
Cops were called to the West 67th Street Apple Store in response to a
911 report of an assault in progress Wednesday evening after the
comedian and two aides stepped in to buy a computer.
An employee, Milan Agnew, 21, told police that Belzer grabbed her
shoulders, shook her and choked her before barking, "I need help."
But Belzer said Agnew is the one who needs help -- for being so delusional.
"I've never had even the slightest rudeness like this at the Apple
store," Belzer said. "They're all great. I think you have to pass a
personality test to work there, and I don't know how this woman slipped
through the cracks."
Belzer, 65, who lives on Riverside Drive, was questioned by police, but
not charged with a crime. Cops also looked at surveillance video, and
determined that he did nothing wrong.
The actor said that after waiting an unusually long time for service, he
put his hands on Agnew's shoulder, but did nothing after that but ask
for help.
"She wanted attention and she knew who I was and I clearly didn't
assault her," Belzer said. "It's surprising that Apple would not
apologize to such a high-profile, good customer. I've spent thousands of
dollars there. I don't want her to be fired, I just want her to seek help."
But Agnew said it was Belzer who was out of line.
"I'm not star-struck by anyone," Agnew said. "I approached him like he
was a regular customer. I asked, 'How can I help you?' He told me what
he needed, and then before I was able to speak again, he lunges in and
grabs my neck. It was no gentle manner. There is no gentle manner to
grab someone's neck."
Agnew filed a harassment complaint with the NYPD, which she can pursue
in Civil Court.
"I just think something more could have been done," Agnew said. "Had it
been someone else, there would have been some repercussions."
A spokeswoman for the Apple Store could not be reached for comment.
Despite the hassle, Belzer bought a new computer, a 21.5-inch iMac to go
with an iBook the same store comped him at their opening.
Belzer said he will return to the store for future purchases.
The longtime standup comedian has played the role of Detective John
Munch in both "Homicide: Life on the Street" and in "Law & Order: SVU."
TV cop Richard Belzer says choke claim is fiction
"Law & Order" TV cop Richard Belzer said an Apple employee's claim that
he choked her in an Upper West Side computer store was like a storyline
from his show -- pure fiction.
"The sad part of it was that police officers were called and had to
report to the scene, and God knows we don't need all that manpower
wasted on a trivial accusation that was clearly done either for
attention or to embarrass a famous person," Belzer told The Post.
Cops were called to the West 67th Street Apple Store in response to a
911 report of an assault in progress Wednesday evening after the
comedian and two aides stepped in to buy a computer.
An employee, Milan Agnew, 21, told police that Belzer grabbed her
shoulders, shook her and choked her before barking, "I need help."
But Belzer said Agnew is the one who needs help -- for being so delusional.
"I've never had even the slightest rudeness like this at the Apple
store," Belzer said. "They're all great. I think you have to pass a
personality test to work there, and I don't know how this woman slipped
through the cracks."
Belzer, 65, who lives on Riverside Drive, was questioned by police, but
not charged with a crime. Cops also looked at surveillance video, and
determined that he did nothing wrong.
The actor said that after waiting an unusually long time for service, he
put his hands on Agnew's shoulder, but did nothing after that but ask
for help.
"She wanted attention and she knew who I was and I clearly didn't
assault her," Belzer said. "It's surprising that Apple would not
apologize to such a high-profile, good customer. I've spent thousands of
dollars there. I don't want her to be fired, I just want her to seek help."
But Agnew said it was Belzer who was out of line.
"I'm not star-struck by anyone," Agnew said. "I approached him like he
was a regular customer. I asked, 'How can I help you?' He told me what
he needed, and then before I was able to speak again, he lunges in and
grabs my neck. It was no gentle manner. There is no gentle manner to
grab someone's neck."
Agnew filed a harassment complaint with the NYPD, which she can pursue
in Civil Court.
"I just think something more could have been done," Agnew said. "Had it
been someone else, there would have been some repercussions."
A spokeswoman for the Apple Store could not be reached for comment.
Despite the hassle, Belzer bought a new computer, a 21.5-inch iMac to go
with an iBook the same store comped him at their opening.
Belzer said he will return to the store for future purchases.
The longtime standup comedian has played the role of Detective John
Munch in both "Homicide: Life on the Street" and in "Law & Order: SVU."