Marquis Ventura, 35, was arrested on Saturday afternoon after transit officers recognized him from wanted pictures and surveillance footage, TheNew York Daily News reported. Ventura is awaiting arraignment on second-degree assault charges—his seventh assault charge of the year, according to officials.
His arrest came after the New York Police Department had issued an appeal for information after the incident on the Upper West Side of Manhattan on October 1.
Video released by police showed the suspect had been wearing a black “I (heart) NY” sweatshirt when he sucker punched Moranis shortly before 7.30 a.m.
The 67-year-old actor had been walking southbound on Central Park West when an unidentified man “struck him in the head with a closed fist, knocking him to the ground,” police said.
Police did not identify Moranis as the victim, but the Associated Press reported at the time that Moranis’ representatives Troy Bailey confirmed the actor was attacked.
Moranis suffered back, hip, neck and head pain in the attack, according to the AP. He took himself to the hospital and later went to a police station to report the incident.
According to NBC New York, the NYPD’s new Community Affairs Rapid Response Team visited Moranis at his home after the incident.
“He just wants us to catch the bad guy all this to go away,” Det. Kaz Daughtry said afterwards.
And on Saturday, the NYPD announced that the suspect in the case had been apprehended and charged “thanks to an eagle-eyed sergeant.”
“The high-profile nature of this incident had little bearing on Sergeant Dennis & PO Merlino’s determination to catch the assailant,” NYPD Transit Chief Kathleen O’Reilly added in a tweet, alongside a picture of the officers who apprehended him.
“It was simply another case of NYC cops looking out for their fellow New Yorkers. The 35-year-old suspect now faces his 7th assault charge this year.”
Moranis, an actor known for roles in films including Ghostbusters and Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, was trending on Twitter after news of the arrest surfaced.
“Justice for Rick Moranis and we’ll be one step closer to any happy endings that may be left for 2020,” Ian Riccaboni tweeted.
“Rick Moranis should get to punch him back!” Dave Quinn added.
The NYPD and Bailey have been contacted for additional comment.
