LOS ANGELES, CA – A 19-year-old woman has been taken into custody in connection with a violent attack on an elderly food vendor in downtown Los Angeles, authorities announced.
The Arrest and Incident
Harmunie Heaven Church was arrested on June 25, exactly 10 days after a cellphone video captured the brutal beating of 62-year-old Arabelia Martinez. Martinez has been a staple in the community, working as a food vendor in the 700 block of Figueroa Street for years.
The conflict reportedly began when Church confronted Martinez and sprayed sauce toward her food cart. Martinez attempted to defend herself by throwing Tajín seasoning in Church’s direction, which escalated the situation.
Extortion Attempt and Brutal Assault
According to Martinez’s son, Constantino Garcia, the confrontation stemmed from an intimidation tactic. Church allegedly tried to extort money from the vendor, claiming she needed a permit to sell. Garcia confirmed that his mother is fully licensed and possesses the required permits.
The viral video showed Martinez being shoved to the ground and struck multiple times for nearly a minute. The footage sparked intense community outrage, not only because of the violence but also due to the lack of intervention from several nearby witnesses.
Current Status and Charges
Following the attack, Martinez complained of severe head pain. Her family released a statement confirming she is now home resting and recovering, expressing deep gratitude for the community’s overwhelming support.
- Suspect: Harmunie Heaven Church (19)
- Booking Charge: Felony battery causing great bodily injury
- Bail Amount: $50,000
The Los Angeles Police Department is preparing to present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for formal charges.
