Angry, Smelly Elmo Harassing Tourists In Times Square

Evil Elmo is back.

In 2009 The Daily News reported on an imposter Elmo (if there is such a thing as a "real" Elmo) who was seen in Times Square aggressively courting tourists' cash for pictures, and cursing them out when they refused to pay up. He even lunged at the Daily News photographer who snapped his picture, and then quickly apologized. "Look man, Elmo needs to make a living, too," he said.

This surly Elmo was spotted again this weekend, From The Daily News:

Jed Lehman, 47, from Trenton, went out of his way to shield his 3-year-old daughter, Isabella, from the masked menace after hearing him taunt passersby.

"What's happened to society? Now Elmo is trying to shake down kids for a dollar? Only in New York," said Lehman.

Asked why he was so grumpy, the fake Elmo said he was misunderstood.

"I'm not being rude. Taking an Elmo picture without paying is rude. It's called making a living," said the character, who refused to give his real name or take off his costume head.

Is this an isolated incident of one cranky New Yorker trying to scam well-meaning but clueless tourists, or part of a larger threat?

Comments

[jeffp26]

10:41 AM on 11/02/2010

This Elmo needs to get the stuffing kicked out of him.

[scorchedhottub]

12:15 AM on 11/02/2010

These guys are always in Times Square. One night I saw Elmo and Santa palling around on my way to a bar. On my way back I had to double take as I saw the same Santa and Elmo, Santa without his shirt on a very cold night and smoking a cigarette as Elmo drank from a bottle of liquor, moving his mask aside to do so.

[revko]

01:18 AM on 11/01/2010

Tickle Me Dammit Elmo

[GummedUp TheWorks]

03:32 PM on 10/31/2010

Yeah, he used to hang around (or apparently still does) on the Broadway side of the GAP @42nd Street, looking strangely out of place and a little ragged around the edges. Always creeped me out.

[BigMikeAris]

03:17 PM on 10/30/2010

Those times square characters, elmo, spongebob and others, are all disgusting. I cant believe NYC doesnt regulate this better! Anyone could be in those costumes, and you cant see who they are or what they look like, and you dont know whether those suits are cleaned, yet children line up by the dozens to snuggle up for a photo and put money in a furry sack they carry around. And seeing 5 elmos at one intersection is beyond frightening. Cmon NY. Crackdown.

[babybecks]

10:08 AM on 10/30/2010

Looks like Elmo may have a case of the mange

[daho]

04:50 PM on 10/29/2010

Surprised Sesame Street doesn't take legal action.

[Erin Moran]

04:45 PM on 10/29/2010

my sister is in nyc right now, she just texted me saying she got a picture with him but just ran away without paying(: take that elmo!!

[VanTroi]

12:46 AM on 11/01/2010

not nice

[ena]

06:38 AM on 10/29/2010

Does anyone remember the guy who used to dress like a Viking & harass people in NYC?

[corsair1917]

11:17 PM on 10/28/2010

seems to me that if the Naked Cowboy can sue M&M's for using his likeness, Sesame Street can take action against this man since they are dressing as ELMO and harassing people!

[rikster]

04:10 PM on 10/28/2010

a harbinger to the return of "fun city"...?

[kikaidaboy]

10:19 AM on 10/28/2010

We need more of this entrepreneurial, up by your own bootstraps, crazyguyinanelmosuit gumption in this country, dang it!

[pinkeyelemonade]

02:59 AM on 10/28/2010

Blame Oscar.

[MrColdheart]

02:47 AM on 10/28/2010

Elmo needs rehab!

[xrepublican]

11:55 PM on 10/27/2010

Have seen this guy in Times Square... his costume is so cruddy and skeezy I can't imagine anyone WANTING to have their photo taken with him......

you get the feeling this is a Bizzaro world Elmo...