A Los Angeles snow cone vendor was beaten and robbed in Leimert Park Tuesday by two men who took all the money he had — $80.
For more than a decade, Arcadio Bernardino, a father and local street vendor, has been making a living pushing a cart full of homemade snow cones and snacks through the streets of Los Angeles.
Bernardino, 66, was making his route on Exposition Boulevard near Second Avenue when he was approached by two men at 3:30 p.m. He said one held him from behind while another grabbed his money bag. He was struck in the face, head and body.
The attackers left him unconscious, knocked out a tooth, and stole his earnings for the day.
Edith Bernardino, the victim's daughter, said she worries about her father, whom she describes as hard working, independent, and eager to get back to work as a street vendor.
"I don't care about the money," said his daughter, who set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for his medical treatment. "I don't care about anything but the pain he feels. It's not fair."
Bernardino said he enjoys working, but he also needs to work to continue living independently in his Arlington Heights apartment. He said he plans to return to street vending once he heals.
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His daughter, however, worries about his safety if he continues working as a street vendor.
"You have to stop, and he was like, 'No, I need my money and everything.'" she said.
Witnesses rushed to his aid and called paramedics, and her father was taken to a hospital.
Witnesses identified the last two numbers of the getaway car's license plate as 46.
