Man caught on video punching 2 women in the face at food cart in downtown Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a man who was caught on video punching two women in downtown Los Angeles.

The assault occurred Friday night near 6th and Spring streets, according to LAPD Det. Meghan Aguilar.

The two women were waiting to buy hot dogs from a street vendor when the man in front of them began arguing with the seller, Aguilar said.

“One of the women told him to grab his hot dog and go because the line was getting longer,” she said, “and he took offense to it and punched her.”

A man who was standing a few feet from the women captured the assault on video and shared it with the women while also posting it on his Facebook account.

The video shows a tall, bearded man with a mohawk and a tattoo on his left forearm punching each woman in the face with a closed fist. He punches first one woman and then another woman who steps in to confront him. The man then punches the first woman as she tries to get up from the ground and delivers a roundhouse punch to the second woman, knocking her to the ground as well.

The man is then seen fleeing in the video.

Aguilar said the women were taken to a nearby hospital. Both suffered concussions, and at least one of the women suffered a broken finger.

The women reported the assault the next day.

Aguilar said none of the bystanders notified police about the attack, which she says is now being investigated as an assault with a deadly weapon.

“If people don’t call,” Aguilar said, “the police can’t do anything.”

Anyone with information that could help detectives in the case is asked to contact Det. Gonzalez at (213) 996-1851 or after hours at (213) 486-6606.

ruben.vives@latimes.com

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